Bhubaneswar, December 26, 2025 – In a profound act of philanthropy that underscores a lifetime of dedication to women's health, Professor K. Laxmi Bai, a pioneering obstetrician and gynaecologist, marked her 100th birthday by channeling her entire ₹3.4 crore life savings into advancing cancer care for underprivileged women at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
The donation, made in May 2025 but celebrated with fanfare on December 5, 2025—her centenary—establishes a dedicated corpus fund at the premier medical institute in Odisha. The interest generated from this fund will fuel cutting-edge research in gynaecological malignancies, expand community oncology services for the economically disadvantaged, and bolster preventive oncology programs aimed at early detection and awareness. "This 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," said Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Born in 1925, Prof. Laxmi Bai graduated in medicine in 1945, at a time when opportunities for women in the medical field were scarce. Over her illustrious four-decade career, she served selflessly at the Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, Odisha, retiring in 1986. Unmarried and childless, she devoted her life to the empowerment of girls and women, treating countless patients and advocating for better maternal and reproductive health outcomes in rural and underserved communities. Her work not only saved lives but also inspired generations of female medical professionals, breaking barriers in a male-dominated profession.
The centenary celebrations at her modest residence in Bhabanagar, Berhampur, were a poignant affair. A delegation from AIIMS Bhubaneswar, led by Medical Superintendent and officiating Executive Director Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida, along with senior faculty, visited to express gratitude. The event drew academic stalwarts, medical peers, and local dignitaries, who lauded her as a "shining example of selfless service."
The gesture drew national acclaim, including a personal letter from President Droupadi Murmu, who extended birthday wishes and hailed the donation as a "very significant step towards women’s empowerment." In her message, the President wrote: "I came to know that recently you have donated substantially from your savings for a noble cause of starting a gynaecological oncology course at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. This is a very significant step towards women’s empowerment, and I deeply appreciate your thoughtful gesture." Murmu further noted: "Governments are working to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all. I am confident that the participation of generous citizens like you will inspire others to come forward and support the government’s initiatives."
To ensure transparency and efficacy, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has constituted an expert supervisory committee, chaired by the Executive Director, to oversee the fund's utilization. This includes funding specialized training programs, subsidizing treatments for low-income patients, and community outreach drives in Odisha's remote areas, where access to gynaecological cancer care remains limited.
Prof. Laxmi Bai's donation comes at a critical juncture for India's healthcare landscape. Gynaecological cancers, including cervical and ovarian varieties, claim thousands of lives annually, disproportionately affecting women from marginalized backgrounds due to late diagnoses and inadequate screening. Experts estimate that initiatives like this could amplify AIIMS Bhubaneswar's capacity to serve over 10,000 patients yearly, fostering breakthroughs in preventive strategies and equitable care.
As the nation grapples with rising cancer incidences—projected to surge by 12% by 2026 according to the Indian Council of Medical Research—Prof. Laxmi Bai's legacy serves as a beacon. Her story reminds us that true service transcends retirement, echoing far beyond personal milestones into the lives of those she never met. "Your life is a shining example of how education can benefit an individual and who in turn can bring positive changes in the society," the President aptly concluded in her letter.
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