| Dr B A Krishna |
His verve or vitality is the first thing that is noticeable about Dr BA Krishna. Even at 62, his energy and enthusiasm have the power to invigorate those around him. The fact that he has been able to sustain them in a world where people half his age are jaded and filled with cynicism makes it all the more special. The HOD of the Nuclear Medicine Department at Bombay Hospital is an intriguing mix of ideals from a bygone era and ideas of the modern world.
The child who became the man
It is essential to know a person’s childhood to understand his psyche. A person’s character or persona is often formed from his childhood experiences. Dr Krishna’s personality too shows glimpses of the early stages of his life. Born in Gulbarga, a town in Karnataka, in the year 1951, he had a judge for his father and a homemaker for his mother. His strict albeit secure upbringing could account for his disciplined yet confident approach to life. However his father passed way quite early and his family had to go through some difficult times.
Recalling those days, he says that it was his mother who kept the family glued together. He admits that his mother’s strength and ideals have always been an inspiration to him and calls her ‘a phenomenal motivator’. Years later, as a doctor, again it was his mother who guided him to choose the path of excellence and satisfaction over monetary benefits. Thus, his childhood indeed laid the foundations for the man he was to become, proving the truth in William Wordsworth’s words, “Child is the father of man”.
Finding his life’s calling
It is said that blessed is the man who finds his life’s work and gets to do it each day. Dr Krishna is one of the blessed ones. He found his calling as a doctor. He has dedicated over 30 years of his life in his bid to relieve suffering in others. Yet, the beginning of his career was quite innocuous. As a child he was quite inspired by his family doctor, who was a jovial, humorous person with a great bedside manner and a spirited attitude towards life. Thus, when he went to college, he took up medicine and became a doctor himself.
After completing his MBBS in 1975 from the Government Medical College, Bellary, Karnataka and went on to become the first person to become a post graduate in Nuclear Medicine from Radiation Medicine Centre, BARC Mumbai. He was also the first person to become the Member of National Academy of Medical Sciences (MNAMS), from the National Board of Examination, New Delhi – a degree equivalent to those of MD, MRCP in London.
He chose to become a physician rather than a surgeon since he believes that a physician gets to approach medicine in a manner which is ‘thought-provoking, far reaching and more satisfactory’. He feels, “Physicians think, surgeons act. It is a physician’s job to find new approaches to medicine and find cures for various ailments.” Thus began his lifelong search for new forms and means of diagnosis and treatment of varied ailments. He was the first to introduce several path breaking technologies in India of which a few are: radioimmunoscanning in colon cancer in collaboration with the University of Frankfurt, Germany; the first PET scan in the country in 2003 using gamma PET machine, glucose PET scan for infection introduced in 2006 and the first Lu-DOTATATE therapy in 2009 using an isotope developed in India, produced by BARC.
Discovering a passion for teaching
He spent around 13 years at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Radiation Medicine Centre. It was during these days that he discovered a penchant for teaching. Soon, it became a passion as it allowed him to mould young minds and lead them on their paths to success and progress. He went on to teach several batches, and the pride is very evident on his face when he informs that several of his student occupy or have occupied positions at reputed medical institutions like AIIMS, Jaslok and Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.
His efforts in the field of education have been dotted with several notable contributions. It includes setting up the Indo-European Education Forum in 2010 and conducting post-graduate teaching courses for students. He has also conducted PG training course for MD/MS students in 40 medical colleges across the country. A small pocket book published in 2004 serves as guide for resident doctors in their wards. He has also mentored several students in their theses. His skills as a teacher received international acclaim when the American Biographical Institute awarded him as the ‘Best Teacher’ in 1992.
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Dr Krishna’s career at a glance
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His eternal quest for knowledge
A successful doctor always has to be inquisitive by nature. Only then would he be able to probe deep and find the ailment and root it out completely to ensure the well-being of his patients. Being a good doctor, it was not surprising that before long Dr Krishna’s sphere of interest extended to research as well. His beginning as a researcher was during his days at the Tata Cancer Centre. His work over there involved dealing with cancer patients regularly. This, in turn, led him to study cancer closely and to initiate a fight against this invidious disease. He often travelled to different parts of the world to study new ways and techniques to treat cancer, and on his return to India put the newly gained knowledge to good use.
After his stint at the Tata Cancer Centre, Dr Krishna moved on PD Hinduja Hospital in 1991. Over here he found a new area of interest for his research. Even as he continued his studies on cancer, he started researching on infection scanning and the various techniques to do it. Presently at Bombay Hospital, the focus of his research is on brain diseases and how isotopes help in understanding the functions of the brain better. He is researching on the ways to treat cancer, Parkinson’s disease and depression through the means of isotopes. Thus, his quest for knowledge continues and it seems to be a life-long journey.
Finding religion
It is interesting to note that Dr Krishna, the scientist is also a person who is deeply interested in theology and religion, maybe as a result of having a very devout lady for his mother. Yet, his view of religion and god is a very broad and enlightened. He says that there is no cause for any antipathy between science and religion since they are extremely complementary to each other. Science is a way of learning what religion has already taught us. His example to prove it is that while doctors today stress on the need to exercise regularly, religion already told us that hard work is a must in one’s life. He is highly influenced by the philosophy and teachings of Vivekananda and Aurobindo. Having read the Bhagvad Gita as well, he says that Lord Krishna is the greatest psychologist in the world ever because he understands the motives and inspirations of a human mind better than anyone else.
On being a true Indian
Dr Krishna has very strong views on giving back to the country in which you were born. He says that it is time that we, as Indians propelled our country to achieve the greatness and glory that it deserves and is capable of. He teaches us by example since all his studies, learnings and knowledge are directed towards achieving this goal. His advice to his students is the same. He urges them to learn from other nations and put it to use in our own country for the betterment of our fellow citizens. He says that we should take the discipline of the West and merge it with the ancient knowledge of the East as this is ‘the’ way to progress. He aims to make India a hub for nuclear medicine by creating a young group of scientists and doctors in India itself and spreading a nationalistic approach to medicine
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Achievements & awards
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Pursuing philanthropy with a vengeance
His roles as a dedicated doctor, an educationist and a serious scientist are not sufficient to appease his soul that he has given back enough to the society. He, and his wife Dr Smriti, have adopted a school in Juhu called ‘Balkanchi Bari’ where he devotes his time and efforts to resensitise street children about the importance of hygiene, health and education. He also contributes through regular health check-ups for these children and by sending uniforms and special biscuits enriched with iron for these children.
The lighter side of his persona
Given the seriousness towards his work and his deep-felt convictions about issues and things, it is often easy to believe that his entire life is devoted to serious pursuits. However, taking a cue from the twinkle in his eyes, a further probe into the personal side of his life reveals him as a man of varied interests. He comes forth as an avid reader who loves reading philosophy and medical thrillers alike, a pet lover who has two dogs named Ginger and Pepper and a person who loves travelling and takes time out of his busy schedules to grow different types of roses. Indulging in sports like tennis and cricket as well as watching plays are some of his leisure time activities. His interests, both in work and leisure is shared by his wife Dr Smriti, a cancer specialist working at the Leelavati Hospital, Mumbai.
Learning lessons
Dr Krishna, by example has demonstrated how each person should strive to achieve their full-potential in every sphere of their life. He shows how passion, be it during work or play, can enrich life for the better. Thus, he is one of those people who have lived life fully and enjoyed every moment of it to prove that “It’s not what the world holds for you, it’s what you bring to it”.