Current affairs

From PM Modi to Actor Vivek...India pays tribute to Dr. V Shanta, a true fighter against cancer!

By alagu, 19 January, 2021
Tamilnadu, Chennai, Cancer, Shanta

Chennai and, of course, the entire country woke up on Tuesday to the heartbreaking and distressing news of the shocking and irreplaceable demise of Dr. V Shanta, who tirelessly fought against cancer till her last breath. She passed away in the wee hours of Tuesday in Chennai at the age of 94 at Apollo Hospital, where she was taken to for treatment on Monday night after she complained of breathing difficulty. 

Through her immense and unparallel contribution over her six-decades long medical career, Shanta has set a legacy that would showcase how the nation had responded towards combating cancer.  In her career, she had shown a light on treating cancer and at the same time, she was outspoken about the challenges and difficulties in fighting cancer. She had left behind a towering leadership of leading the Cancer Institute of Adyar, Chennai for two decades and during her tenure as chairperson, she made cancer treatment affordable to all the needy patients. 

Her demise had shocked everyone across and beyond the borders as she was one of the reputed medical figures in India widely known for her humble and caring approach towards the patients and a staunch fighter against cancer. After her demise was headlined, several national and influential figures have been paying their tributes and remembering her unparalleled contribution, which had and would give India a crucial push forward in conquering cancer.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid his tribute to the departed soul. Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister said, "Dr. V Shanta will be remembered for her outstanding efforts to ensure top quality cancer care. The Cancer Institute at Adyar, Chennai is at the forefront of serving the poor and downtrodden. I recall my visit to the Institute in 2018. Saddened by Dr. V Shanta’s demise. Om Shanti." 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took to Twitter and wrote, "Dr. V Shanta, chairperson of the Adyar Cancer Institute is no more. Forever in service of the poor and needy, she lived in a room within the hospital premises, with the singular mission of cancer cure. A saint, no longer among us." Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "I was deeply pained to learn the demise of Dr. V Shanta, who was the chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute". 

The Governor, who is a doctor by profession, further tweeted, "Shanta had served for cancer patients throughout her life. She grew like a banyan by creating the medical service as a holy place. She has set a precedent for the medical service. I pay my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and those who are receiving her medical service". Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami had also paid his tribute to the departed nonagenarian. 

In his tribute note, Edappadi Palaniswami said, "I was deeply saddened after learning that Padmashri Dr. V Shanta has passed away. She had offered her medical service for cancer patients throughout her life at free of cost and at a low cost. I pay tribute and condolences to the family of Dr. Shanta, who was conferred with several accolades for her selfless service. I pray to the Almighty God that her soul may rest in peace". 

The Chief Minister said that he had ordered the authorities to carry out the last rites of Shanta in full state police honors. In another tweet, Edappadi Palaniswami tweeted, "To add more pride to her glory and to honor her selfless service and contribution, I have ordered to carry out the last rites of Dr. Shanta with full state honors". Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Panneerselvam took to Twitter and said, "Padmashree Shanta had earned appreciations from Jayalalithaa and others for her selfless contribution for rescuing people affected by cancer". 

In his obituary note, DMK President MK Stalin said, "I was saddened to learn the demise of Dr. V Shanta, who was the chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute. It is a great loss for the medical world. She served with utmost dedication towards providing easy cancer treatments for poor people. Deepest condolences for everyone who are grieving her loss". Along with national leaders, celebrities are also mourning her loss. 

Reputed Actor Vivek took to Twitter and said, "The life of Dr. V Shanta who spent her life for the betterment of cancer patients came to an end at her 94. Her life is an example of selfless life". Actor Siddharth took to Twitter and wrote, "A God, a Saint, an Angel, a Saviour among humans has left us. Dr Shanta is arguably the most selfless person I have known in my life. She tirelessly took care of and treated Cancer patients all her life. There will never be another like her. Om Shanti Shanta Amma. We love you."

"Teach your children about Dr Shanta. Google her name. Read about her legacy. We follow false demigods and paper tigers all the time... Follow real heroes and real gods among humans. Her legacy is forever. Cherish it. Celebrate her. She loves on forever", Siddharth added and the actor had also visited the Cancer Institute and paid tribute to the mortal remains of Dr. Shanta. Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Radhakrishnan was among the hundreds of people who had paid homage to the mortal remains of the departed soul at the Cancer Institute. 

Radhakrishnan said, "Her loss is devastation for Tamil Nadu. Shanta was like a mother to me. She served people till her last breath and that is an example for other doctors. She was gentle and I have learned a lot from her. She worked in the Cancer Institute along with Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy". Dr. Mohan, Chairman of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Center said, "End of a legend. One of India's greatest doctors, the legendary Dr. V Shanta was truly an inspiration to generations of doctors". Shanta had joined the Adyar Cancer Institute in 1955 and she was working at the Institute for the past 67 years during which she also served as the Chairperson of the Institute for two decades. Shanta was conferred with national awards like Padmashree, Padmavibhusan, and Magsaysay awards which rightly captured how India is gifted with such a humble human being and a true fighter against cancer. 
 

 

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