Nothing else can describe Dr. Shrimati, a legendary gynecologist based in Hyderabad, who is famous for performing effortless surgeries even at the age of 90. Her name is synonymous with courage, compassion, selflessness, and dedication. She excels at complicated surgeries, standing for long hours with incredible patience and strength — both mental and physical. Spanning six decades of incredible, exemplary service from post-independence India to the days of AI and ChatGPT, she has worked in all major district headquarters hospitals of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Kurnool, Nizamabad, Sangareddy, and Hyderabad, combining competence with compassion.

Daughter of the late Raghava Dixitulu, a famous yoga teacher and student of Dhirendra Brahmachari, and Jyotishmati, she graduated from Osmania Medical College in the year 1956. Hospitals like Niloufer, Osmania, and Gandhi proudly recall her services to this day. Post-retirement, she has been active with Sagarlal, Bapu Nursing Home, Rainbow Hospitals, and the like. At an age when many can barely walk, she performs 2–3 surgeries effortlessly per day and drives the car herself. Here is a doctor who took the Hippocratic Oath 69 years ago and follows it in thought, word, and deed to this day.

There is a ward dedicated to her name in Sagarlal Hospital for her unparalleled gynecological services. Patients narrate unending stories about her help, dedication, how she makes them feel comfortable, and how she helps them like a mother. Recently, Dr. Shrimati celebrated her 90th birthday this year in January. She is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Council of Medical Education, New Delhi; the award for outstanding service by the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of India; Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons, UK; and many more.

Yet she still tows the line of dedication to service and help to humanity with humility, simplicity, and skill. Dr. Shrimati was a Civil Surgeon and Professor at Gandhi Medical College, Niloufer, and Osmania Medical College. She trained a number of famous doctors like herself who remember her with respect, admiration, and awe. Had she wanted, she could have taken many foreign holidays or worked abroad. But she has no time for these activities. Her reward is the resounding popularity among patients, their smiles, and satisfaction at her service. Her fee, her house, and her mode of life reflect her Advaitic Shakti.

A true Karma Yogi, she walks on from one difficult case to another, unmindful of her own comfort and even lunch hours.An ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, she promotes and helps the cause of Sanatana Dharma. Her donation of 4 acres of land to promote Vedic culture and learning speaks of her boundless generosity. One wonders at this human marvel of superhuman energy, skill, and competence. Speaking softly with patients, inculcating good habits and values in them, and keeping up to date with evolving technology are her strengths.

A living legend, a patriot of the highest order without any pomp and luxury, her much-awaited holiday is the Republic Day transmission in the drawing room at home. Such is her dedication to duty that half an hour after the death of a very close family member she was looking after patients. She did not cancel a single appointment. Neither life’s shadows nor age can dim her spirit, which is beyond human limitations. Friend of the poor, mentor to many, performing surgeries is her second nature. Her gynecological service spans six decades and three generations: Generation X, Generation Y, the millennials, the baby boomers and Generation Z. She is comfortable with all ages and all classes. Her patience, skill, and razor-sharp mind are praiseworthy and difficult to emulate for common men.

An outstanding human, a true Karmayogi, she follows the Advaitic principle of seeing God in every human being, irrespective of caste and creed. “Service to humanity is service to God.” Her entire life is dedicated to this motto. She epitomizes “Atmanam Mokshardha, Jagat Hitaya Cha” — the soul finds liberation in service to humanity. Generations to come will not believe that such a lady existed. It is only fitting that we honour her for our sake, for recognizing this gem of a human being as an inspiration to many. The Government of India will do well to honor her service with an appropriate civilian award — Padma Bhushan or Padma Shri — although she does not want any, in her true spirit of selfless, desireless service.

We salute her indomitable spirit and timeless dedication. Dr. Suri Srimathi is not just a doctor; she is a living testament to what humanity can achieve through selfless love and unwavering commitment.       

- Subbalakshmi Retired seniour bureaucrat