Dr. V. Shanta is a prominent name as a cancer specialist hailing from India. She was awarded Padma Vibhushan Award for her work in medical fields. She is the Chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai.
Early life of Dr.V. Shanta
Dr. V Shanta was born on March 11, 1927 at Mylapore, Chennai in an Iyer family. Her family includes Nobel Laureates C.V. Raman and S. Chandrasekar. She did her schooling from National Girls High School (now P.S. Sivaswamy Higher Secondary School) and had always wanted to become a doctor. She completed her graduation from Madras Medical College in 1949, and her M.D. in 1955. She did not have any role models, but was always inspired by her maternal uncle S. Chandrasekar and her grandfather`s brother, Sir C V Raman.
Career of Dr. V Shanta
The career of Dr. V Shanta has included organizing care for cancer patients and research in the prevention and cure of the disease. She has been associated with Adyar Cancer Institute since 1955, and has held several key positions, including its Director between 1980-1997. She is a member of the World Health Organisation`s Advisory Committee on Health and several other national and international committees on health and medicine.
When Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy set up the Cancer Institute in 1954, Dr. Shanta then had just finished her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). She also got through the Public Service Commission examination and was posted to the Women and Children Hospital. She decided to join the Cancer Institute instead, upsetting many people. The institute began with a single building and a cluster of huts with minimal equipment and two doctors, Dr. Shanta and Dr. Krishnamurthi. For three years she worked as honorary staff after which, the Institute offered to pay her Rs.200 per month and residence within the campus. She moved into the campus on April 13, 1955, and has remained there ever since.
Awards Received by Dr. V Shanta
Dr. V Shanta won several awards including the Magsaysay Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award by Government of India in the year 2016. She is also the member of Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission for Health. She won the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Dr. Shanta has dedicated the award to Cancer Institute.
