Saroj Gupta


Saroj Gupta MBBS, DMRE, DMRT, DMRD, FRCR was oncologist, and the founder of Cancer Centre Welfare Home & Research Institute. He was the recipient of India's fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri in 1987. He was Sheriff of Kolkata in 1989.

Early life and education

In 1955 he had completed his MBBS from Calcutta University. In 1965 he had gone to England to do FRCS from Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, England.

Work

After his MBBS, Gupta had joined Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute as Consultant Radiotherapist in 1956.
While working in Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute he had felt that cancer patients coming from the remote area many times don't get admission due to lack of beds and when they get a chance for admission they are in advance stage of cancer. So he was determined to provide beds for them and treatment as early as possible. Gupta wanted a supporting place for Cancer patients and their family where they can get peace of mind in the lap of nature supported by modern treatment. His vision was very clear about setting up a modernised hospital in the era when there were very few private facilities available for the same in the city of Kolkata. In early 70 with some doctors and social workers, he had started to build a cancer hospital on a donated 16-acre plot land. In 1973 his dream of a home for the patients suffering from dreaded cancer has been fulfilled. The hospital started with 25 beds and after three decades the bed numbers increased to 254 with separate facilities for paediatric cancer. Drama scripted by himself, he had played as a cancer patient to raise the fund for the Kolkata's first modernised cancer hospital at a nominal cost. According to Subir Ganguly, senior oncologist "His contribution to oncology remains unmatched". In 1980 after his voluntary retirement from Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute he engaged himself fully in Thakurpukur hospital.

Award and recognition

Gupta had received Padma Shri award in 1987. Gupta had been honoured by oldest prestigious honorable post Sheriff of Kolkata.