Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | September 02, 2025

“For six decades, Dr. Devendra S. Saksena has healed countless hearts and earned global acclaim, including induction into the American College of Surgeons' Elite Academy. Yet, despite such recognition, India’s Padma Shri Award continues to elude him.

His journey is not just one of medical brilliance but also of indispensability, so much so that the U.S. Senate once passed two private bills to ensure he remained in the country. "I have been recognised all over the world for the last 60 years," Dr. Devendra S. Saksena reflects. "Unfortunately, there has been very little recognition here."

Dr. Devendra S. Saksena: An Unsung Global Icon

Few doctors are as respected around the world as Dr. Devendra S. Saksena. For more than sixty years, his groundbreaking work has inspired surgeons and students everywhere, from top medical groups to government leaders in Mauritius. At 87, he shows up daily at the Bombay Hospital, treating patients.

Still, despite all his honours, Dr. Saksena has not received the Padma Shri Award, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour. This gap shows a clear difference between how he is valued abroad and at home.

In his own words, Dr. Devendra S. Saksena reflects on this disparity, stating, “I must say I have been the most fortunate person in the world, at least I think so myself. This is because I have been recognised all over the world for the last 60 years. Unfortunately, very little recognition here.”

His journey began far from the global stage, in Mathura, India, where he was born in 1938. His early academic aptitude led him to earn his MBBS from Medical College, Nagpur, in 1960. He then pursued advanced training in the United States, a period during which his surgical skills earned him a remarkable and unconventional form of recognition.

Unprecedented Recognition in the US

He recounted an astonishing chapter of his life in the U.S., a time when he was “a nobody”. “In the 60s, when people didn’t know where India was in the U.S., I had two private bills in the U.S. Senate to keep me in the country,” he reveals. At the time, his exchange visitor visa had a five-year limit, and he was about to be classified as an “undesirable alien” and face deportation. In a desperate attempt to retain his surgical skills in the country, his friends and colleagues quickly proposed a bill in the U.S. Senate. As Dr. Devendra S. Saksena explains, when a senator introduces a bill, “Everything is put on hold until the bill is cleared.”

The immediate result was an immigration officer coming to him and saying, “I’m very sorry Sir, you can stay here as long as you want to.” This extraordinary act had to be repeated with a second bill after the first expired, proof of his value in a foreign land and the high regard in which he was held, even at that early stage of his career.

A Call to Serve His Country

While at the peak of his career in the United States, Dr. Devendra S. Saksena faced a major decision. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, through Senator Wallace Bennett, requested him to return to India and help improve the country’s medical standards. Even though he had a successful practice and many opportunities in the U.S., Dr. Devendra S. Saksena felt a strong duty to serve India.

When he came back to India, Dr. Devendra S. Saksena didn’t just join a hospital; he created something new. In 1971, he started the first private cardiac surgery department at Bombay Hospital, bringing advanced heart care to more people. He also helped set up heart surgery programs in states like Rajasthan and Maharashtra, turning them into important training centres for future surgeons.

Dr. Devendra S. Saksena’s influence extended beyond the borders of India. He shared his expertise with countries such as Mauritius, Myanmar, Kenya, and Oman, where he established cardiac surgery centers and trained local medical teams. His work in Mauritius was so impactful that former Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh commended him for enhancing India’s reputation.

The Heartbeat of a Nation

Dr. Devendra S. Saksena’s humanitarian efforts are legendary. Through his founding of the Bombay Medical Aid Foundation, he has facilitated over 29,000 surgeries, dedicating his life to serving humanity. His compassion extends to some of the most vulnerable. This is exemplified by the Tanzania Heart Babies Project, which has provided life-saving surgeries and comprehensive care to over 500 Tanzanian children with congenital heart defects, achieving a post-surgery survival rate of over 95%.

One of his key contributions to community service is his involvement with the Shraddhanand Ashram Hospital, located in Nirmal Village, Vasai. This facility is dedicated to serving the tribal and broader Indian population in the region by delivering essential healthcare services. The hospital is equipped with modern medical amenities, including specialised eye care and dialysis centres.

It conducts around 400 eye surgeries each year, with half of them offered free of charge, and provides vital dialysis treatments at no cost. The hospital also features a unique palliative care centre that offers compassionate end-of-life care. The comprehensive services at Shraddhanand Ashram Hospital have significantly improved health outcomes and set a model for sustainable healthcare for underserved groups.

The Pioneer’s Hands: Surgical Innovation and Global Mentorship

As a surgeon, Dr. Devendra S. Saksena is a master innovator. He has introduced and refined numerous cardiac surgical procedures that have since become standard global practices. These include the first successful implementation of a complex valve repair technique in India, which drastically reduced complications. He was also instrumental in the development of new cardiac devices, including bioprosthetic valves, which are now widely used worldwide. He has authored numerous papers and delivered lectures at international conferences, advocating for and developing minimally invasive cardiac surgery techniques that reduce patient recovery time and improve outcomes.

Beyond his surgical prowess, Dr. Devendra S. Saksena is a dedicated educator. He has trained over a thousand cardiac surgeons who now lead programs globally, perpetuating his ethos of excellence and innovation. He has also developed curricula for cardiac surgery training programs that are now implemented in medical schools across continents. Through his mentorship, he has equipped thousands of medical professionals with advanced surgical skills and knowledge, ensuring his influence continues to ripple through the medical community.

Dr. Devendra S. Saksena’s achievements are etched in the countless lives he has saved and the global institutions he has helped build. India has a duty to recognise its heroes. The Padma Shri Award is a symbol of national gratitude, a public acknowledgement of extraordinary service. For Dr. Devendra S. Saxena, this recognition is long overdue.

All Images: Dr Devendra S. Saxena

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