On her 100th birthday on December 5, 2025, Professor K. Laxmi Bai, a pioneering obstetrician and gynaecologist, donated ₹3.4 crore from her life savings to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for gynaecological oncology research, community services for the underprivileged, and preventive health programmes repeating her generous May contribution amid widespread acclaim.
President Droupadi Murmu praised it as a “significant step towards women’s empowerment and healthcare advancement,” while AIIMS Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas described the gesture as a “powerful acknowledgment of our institute’s tireless work in patient care, medical education, and cutting-edge research.”
An expert supervisory committee ensures transparent utilisation of the corpus fund, with AIIMS doctors personally felicitating her at her Berhampur home, highlighting stakeholder unity in this milestone event.
A Century of Dedication: From Student to Healthcare Icon
Professor Laxmi Bai’s extraordinary journey began on December 5, 1925, in a modest family in Odisha, where she overcame societal barriers to pursue medicine a rarity for women in pre-independence India. She graduated with an MBBS from SCB Medical College, Cuttack, in 1950, followed by DGO and MD qualifications from Madras Medical College in 1958, and later an MPH from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
Her illustrious career spanned over four decades, culminating in retirement in 1986 as Professor and Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
Throughout her professional life, she touched countless lives, delivering babies and treating women with gynaecological ailments in an era of limited resources. Her contributions earned her accolades such as the Lady Eminence of South Odisha award, Best Citizen of India, and the Odisha Gaurav Samman.
Even in retirement, her philanthropy shines: she recently donated ₹3 lakh to the Berhampur Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society for adolescent cancer vaccinations, as shared by society secretary Dr. Indira Pal. Dr. Biswas reiterated AIIMS’s gratitude, noting, “Prof. K. Laxmi Bai’s extraordinary gesture is not only a blessing but a powerful acknowledgment of AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s continual efforts in high-quality patient care, medical education, and advanced research.”
This donation, made quietly from her personal savings without fanfare, humanises her as a beacon of quiet resolve amid personal simplicity, she lives in a modest Berhampur home, shunning ostentation for impact.
Strategic Corpus to Combat Rising Cancer Tide in India
The ₹3.4 crore will seed a dedicated corpus fund at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, with its interest channelled into targeted initiatives: pioneering research on gynaecological malignancies like cervical and ovarian cancers, free community oncology services for the poor and downtrodden, and robust preventive programmes such as awareness drives and early screening camps.
This is especially vital as India grapples with a cancer crisis the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) projects a 12% rise in cases by 2026, with gynaecological cancers disproportionately affecting rural and low-income women due to limited access to screening and treatment.
To uphold transparency and efficiency, AIIMS has constituted an expert supervisory committee under Dr. Biswas’s chairmanship, comprising senior oncologists and administrators. On her centenary, a delegation from AIIMS, including Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dr. Saubhagya Kumar Jena, visited her residence to present an appreciation letter and garland her, turning a personal milestone into a collective celebration.
Building on her May donation, this repeat act underscores her unwavering commitment, especially poignant given Odisha’s healthcare challenges, where rural women often travel hundreds of kilometres for specialised care. Dr. Jena remarked in a statement, “Her vision aligns perfectly with our mission to make oncology accessible to all.”
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Professor K. Laxmi Bai’s act at 100 years young transcends mere philanthropy; it embodies the profound values of kindness, empathy, and harmony that bind us in coexistence, transforming personal savings into lifelines for countless underserved women.
In a world often divided by self-interest, her gesture fosters dialogue on healthcare equity, urging governments, institutions, and citizens to prioritise preventive care and research for social upliftment. At The Logical Indian, we champion such stories of positive change, celebrating how one life of service inspires a healthier, more compassionate India.
