Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane, a surgical oncologist from Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district, received the Padma Shri in 2025 for her contributions to medicine and oncology. Born into a financially struggling family, she helped her mother sell vegetables while pursuing her education.
Her journey included overcoming language barriers, failing an examination during her first year of medical college and challenging gender stereotypes in surgery. She later became the first woman professor at Bengaluru’s Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in 1994, eventually serving as its Head of Department, Dean and Director.
After losing her mother and sister to cancer, she continued promoting early detection, breast cancer screening and accessible treatment, including free consultations for patients who cannot afford medical care.
A Childhood Shaped By Hardship And Education
Born in 1955 in Kobal village in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district, Vijayalakshmi Deshmane grew up in a family where financial difficulties were part of everyday life. Her father, Baburao Deshmane, worked as a labourer at MSK Mill and was also involved in social work and the freedom movement. Her mother, Ratnamma, supported the family by selling fruits and vegetables. Before and after school, young Vijayalakshmi helped her mother carry baskets and sell vegetables from house to house.
Her parents could neither read nor write, but they firmly believed that education could give their children opportunities they had never received. The family had eight children, and despite their limited income, their parents prioritised their schooling. Six of the eight siblings eventually earned PhDs, reflecting the importance the family placed on education.
Vijayalakshmi studied in Kannada-medium schools in Kalaburagi before pursuing her pre-university education. She subsequently enrolled at Karnataka Medical College to study medicine. However, entering medical college did not immediately make her journey easier. The family struggled to meet the expenses associated with her education, and her mother made a deeply personal sacrifice to ensure that her daughter could continue studying.
“When I was joining MBBS, we faced financial crises and my mother sold her mangalsutra to pay the fee,” Deshmane recalled in an interview. The decision demonstrated the extent to which her family was willing to go to support her ambitions. For Vijayalakshmi, becoming a doctor was an opportunity to honour the sacrifices made by her parents.
From Academic Setbacks To Breaking Barriers In Surgery
Medical college presented another challenge for Deshmane. Having studied in Kannada, she had to adjust to medical textbooks and teaching in English. During her first year of MBBS, she failed physiology, a setback that left her questioning whether she could continue.
“When I failed physiology, I packed my bags and went home, thinking it was over,” she recalled in an interview. Her decision to leave was challenged by her youngest sister, who reminded her that failing an examination was not a reason to abandon her ambitions. The conversation encouraged Deshmane to return to college, work harder and regain her confidence.
She eventually completed her MBBS and went on to pursue a Master of Surgery in General Surgery at Bellary Medical College, completing the qualification in 1984. Her choice of specialisation also brought her face to face with gender-based expectations. At a time when surgery was widely regarded as a male-dominated field, women doctors were often encouraged to choose other specialities, including gynaecology.
When she interviewed at Bengaluru’s Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Deshmane was encouraged to consider gynaecology. She refused to let assumptions about her gender determine her career. Recalling the experience, she said she insisted, “Give me surgery.”
She joined Kidwai as a resident doctor and steadily progressed through the institution. In 1994, she became its first woman professor, marking a significant milestone for women in medicine. She later served as Head of Department, Dean and Director. Her career demonstrated how professional competence and determination could challenge barriers that had long restricted women’s opportunities in specialised medical fields.
Personal Loss Strengthened Her Commitment To Cancer Care
During her career, Deshmane treated thousands of cancer patients, including women with breast cancer. Her work also exposed her to the emotional and professional pressures associated with treating serious illnesses. She recalled a patient from Bidar, Karnataka, who died on the operating table following severe bleeding. The experience affected her deeply, leaving her unable to sleep for eight days.
The incident remained a reminder that medical treatment involves more than clinical decisions. Every patient represents a family waiting for news, often under difficult circumstances. Deshmane also witnessed changes in cancer treatment as research and technology advanced. She has spoken about how improved treatment options have helped some patients with advanced cancer return home in better spirits.
Cancer later affected her own family. She lost both her mother and her sister, Nagaratna, to the disease. Rather than withdrawing from the field, she continued to focus on cancer awareness, early detection and breast cancer screening. She also worked on research into hereditary cancers using artificial intelligence, an area that may help researchers better understand inherited risks and improve approaches to detection.
After retiring from government service in 2015, Deshmane continued participating in cancer awareness programmes, particularly in rural areas. She also continued seeing patients and offering free consultations to those unable to afford treatment. Her work reflects the importance of making cancer information and medical support accessible beyond major cities, where specialist services can be difficult to reach.
In 2016, she was appointed head of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Mohali, Punjab, following a medical emergency. Her contributions were recognised through several honours, including the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2004 and the Padma Shri in 2025. She also received the Hindu Excellence in Health and Hygiene Award and the Women of Worth Award in 2025.
For Deshmane, recognition has not replaced the purpose that brought her into medicine. She has explained that the most meaningful reward is seeing patients recover, particularly women who might otherwise have gone without treatment because of financial difficulties. Her approach places patient welfare and access to care at the centre of her work.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane’s journey is a reminder that talent can emerge from circumstances where opportunities are scarce, but it also shows why families and institutions must help people overcome barriers rather than allowing poverty, language or gender to determine their futures. Her parents’ faith in education, her sister’s encouragement and her refusal to accept restrictions on her career all played a part in shaping her path. Her continued commitment to cancer awareness and affordable consultations highlights the value of using professional success to serve others.
At The Logical Indian, we believe that empathy, equal opportunity and accessible healthcare are essential to building a more compassionate society. Celebrating individuals like Deshmane should also encourage wider conversations about supporting girls’ education, strengthening cancer screening and ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent people from receiving treatment.
What lessons can we learn from Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane’s journey, and how can we help make quality healthcare accessible to everyone?
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