Bhubaneswar, Dec 5, 2025 — President Droupadi Murmu on Friday extended her warm felicitations to Professor K. Lakshmi Bai on the occasion of her 100th birthday, lauding her extraordinary philanthropic gesture of donating ₹3.4 crore—her lifetime savings—to AIIMS Bhubaneswar to bolster cancer care services.

In an official letter, the President praised Prof Lakshmi Bai’s selfless contribution and expressed confidence that the premier medical institute would utilise the donation effectively to enhance healthcare delivery, particularly for the poor and underserved. She highlighted that acts of generosity by compassionate citizens like Prof Lakshmi Bai serve as an inspiration to people across the country to support government initiatives in public health and social welfare.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar, in response, acknowledged the President’s encouraging words and reiterated its commitment to honour the donation. The institute stated that the funds would be directed toward advancing cancer research, strengthening community oncology, and providing comprehensive patient support services.

Prof Lakshmi Bai, who has remained unmarried throughout her life, made the donation specifically to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at AIIMS Bhubaneswar to commemorate her centenary. According to AIIMS executive director Ashutosh Biswas, the donated amount will be maintained as a corpus fund, and the interest generated will be dedicated to research in gynaecological malignancies, provision of community oncology services for disadvantaged populations, and enhancement of preventive oncology programs.

A distinguished medical professional, Prof Lakshmi Bai earned her medical degree in 1945 and served the nation diligently until her retirement from MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, in 1986. Her lifelong dedication to medicine and public service has left an indelible mark on generations of students, colleagues, and patients.

As part of the centenary celebrations, a delegation from AIIMS Bhubaneswar, led by medical superintendent and officiating executive director Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida, along with senior faculty members Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohanty, Dr. Saubhagya Kumar Jena, Dr. Pruthwiraj Sethi, Dibya Ranjan Pattnaik, and Kamal Kishore Mahapatra, visited Prof Lakshmi Bai at her residence in Bhabanagar, Berhampur. The visit was both a mark of respect and an opportunity to personally convey gratitude on behalf of the institute.

The celebrations, organised by Prof Lakshmi Bai’s family, were attended by prominent academic figures, medical professionals, and dignitaries, reflecting the high regard in which she is held across generations. Her centenary milestone was not only a celebration of a remarkable life but also a testament to her enduring legacy in medicine and philanthropy.

With this unprecedented contribution, Prof Lakshmi Bai has set a benchmark in medical philanthropy, demonstrating how individual generosity can significantly strengthen public health infrastructure and services. AIIMS Bhubaneswar plans to leverage the donation to expand research initiatives, improve patient care, and further community-oriented oncology programs, ensuring that the benefits of her selfless act continue to touch countless lives in the years ahead.

President Murmu’s acknowledgment of Prof Lakshmi Bai’s contribution underscores the importance of citizen-led initiatives in complementing government efforts to enhance healthcare access and outcomes across India. This centenary celebration, marked by both homage and hope, highlights a life dedicated to medicine, compassion, and the betterment of society.