91-Year-Old Who Has Treated Patients For Free Since 1948 Conferred With Padma Shri

Dr Bhakti Yadav is Indore’s first woman MBBS graduate. At the age of 91, when almost everyone retires from their job, she continues to treat her patients – for free. A practice that she started in 1948. She has been conferred with the Padma Shri award this year.

Known for her affectionate approach with patients, Dr Bhakti is hope for many to recover from their ailments.

Born in 1926 in Mahidpur town of Ujjain district, she completed her schooling in Indore while staying with her uncle. She became the first lady doctor in Indore after graduating from MGM Medical College in 1948 as the only woman in the batch.

Rejecting an initial job offer in a government hospital, she joined Nandlal Bhandari Maternity Home to treat the wives of poor cloth mill workers. After heading the maternity home for a few decades, she started her nursing home called Vatsalya in Pardeshipura area.

In the 69 years since her graduation, she has delivered thousands of babies, and that too without charging any money from the mothers.

Old age has gripped the nonagenarian gynaecologist, but she still continues helping others and wishes to do the same until her last breath. She believes that a personal touch in treating her patients makes her feel alive and that many doctors lack this personal touch, which can be magical to the patients.

Recently, several patients suffering from infertility have been reaching out to Dr Bhakti and have been treated successfully.

She has been bedridden for the last two months after she fell and sustained fractures. But, this has not brought down her spirits. On being asked to comment on her award, she said in an interview with The Times Of India, “I am happy that everyone is happy (after the announcement). What is important is that people get benefitted with my actions”.

The Logical Indian congratulates Dr Bhakti for her award and thanks her for spreading joy to thousands of people over the years.