Mumbai’s Dr Tehemton Erach Udwadia has been conferred with India’s third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan. The government announced the list of notable people, who will receive the Padma Awards, on Wednesday.
The 80-year-old surgical gastroenterologist is known as the father of laparoscopy surgery as he was the first to start it in India in 1972. He is also the first surgeon to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the developing world in 1990.
Udwadia had earlier received Padma Shri in 2006 for his contributions to Indian medicine. Udwadia is known for his radiant personality, his passion for teaching and love for students as well as his compassion for patients.
“It is a proud moment not only for him, but all the Indian surgeons. He has been a guiding force for all of us in last 30 years. Not just technological advice, but Udwadia sir has been giving philosophical and psychological support to us. He is the founder president of the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo-Surgeons too,” said Dr Avinash Supe, Dean of KEM Hospital, Mumbai, and a Surgical Gastroenterologist.
He is a practising general surgeon at two Mumbai hospitals, Breach Candy Hospital and PD Hinduja Hospital.
The Padma awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. This year, the President of India has approved conferment of Padma Awards to 89 people from the field of entertainment, literature, sports and art. This year, many personalities from the field of health and medicine have also made it to the list.