Udwadia honored

"The crème de la crème of India’s topmost laparoscopic surgeons have met here today not to talk about individuals but to acknowledge and pay tribute to the phenomenal growth, spread and triumph of Indian laparoscopic surgery, acknowledge the contribution of each one of the several thousands of laparoscopic surgeons, whichever association they may belong to, as also the very large number who are not part of any association,” said Dr Tehemton Udwadia at the silver jubilee celebration of this advance in medicine in the country on May 31, 2015 in Bombay.

Dr Tehemton Udwadia (left) receiving plaque from Jagat Prasad Nadda

Udwadia was felicitated on the occasion by Jagat Prasad Nadda, minister for health and family welfare, government of India for performing the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in India, as also in the entire developing world, at the J. J. Hospital in Bombay on May 31, 1990, 25 years ago, mentioned Purnima Sardesai, general manager, technical, Center of Excellence for Minimal Access Surgery Training in a press release sent to Parsiana. All three laparoscopic surgery societies — the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons, Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India and Society of Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of India — honored Udwadia for his pioneering work and also for his "missionary work to ensure the benefits of this surgery reach all people in all places, irrespective of socioeconomic status.”
Nadda appreciated, "The surgery you performed 25 years back has completely transformed surgical treatment (and) benefitted elite and poor patients alike… I am informed that this has now advanced to major abdominal surgeries… neuro and cardiac surgery.” Piyush Goyal, minister of state with independent charge for power, coal and new and renewable energy, government of India, who was guest of honor, spoke of his personal contact with Udwadia while felicitating him.
In his acceptance speech, Udwadia attributed the widespread practice of laparoscopic surgery in the country, from the largest cities to the smallest towns, to the skill, ingenuity and innovations of the Indian surgeon who undertook this transformation with safety and economy.