Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 13: The first Dr Naseer & Dr Girija Memorial lecture took place at the Government Medical College, Srinagar. The lecture was delivered by a son of the soil of Kashmir, Professor Upendra Kaul.
Prof Samia Rashid, Principal, Government Medical College (GMC) Kashmir chaired the event.
Dr Naseer Ahmed Shah ,eminent physician, former Principal of the GMC Srinagar, former Member of the Legislative Council, Padma Shri awardee and one of the best known personalities of Kashmir passed away on October 11, 2017.
Dr Naseer not only brought a new medical culture to Kashmir, but also enhanced the stature of the GMC by expanding the post-graduate courses and getting them recognized by the Medical Council of India. He was also former Governing body member of PGI, Chandigarh and AIIMS, New Delhi.
His wife, Dr Girija Dhar, acclaimed gynecologist, former principal of the GMC, former Chair of Social Welfare Board, State Commission for Women, the State Public Service Commission and Chair of Rahat Ghar, Guild of Service and renowned women’s right activist, passed away on July 13, 2018. Dr Girija conceptualized, constructed and ran the first hospital for women in Kashmir – The Lal Ded Hospital – which today is a landmark in Srinagar.
To carry forward their life’s work, the Dr Naseer & Dr Girija Memorial Trust has been initiated by their daughter, Dr Tina Anjila Shah and their son-in-law, Dr Anil Kaul.
This Trust is an endeavour to ensure that the best and deserving are recognized and will institute scholarships for medical students. The Trust envisages making cost-efficient medical care available to the most vulnerable, and to encourage a wider exposure to the fast-paced science of medicine.
Prof Upendra Kaul is currently Chairman Batra Heart Centre and Dean Academics and Clinical Research, Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre, New Delhi. Highly recognized both nationally and internationally for his work in cardiovascular sciences, he is credited with starting the coronary angioplasty program in India.