Prof. M. S. Ramakrishnan, fondly called as Prof. MSR by his colleagues and students, was born at Palayankottai. He started his career as Lecturer In Pediatric Surgery at Institute of Child Health at Chennai and subsequently rose to the Prestigious Chair of Professor and Head of Pediatric Surgery at Madras Medical College and Chief of Pediatric Surgery at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH). He held the post until his superannuation in the year 1981. He also served as superintendent of ICH at Egmore, Chennai. He was one of the two most influential Pediatric Surgeons of early 1960s who started first M.Ch training program in India. In fact Prof. MSR is the first person who started M.Ch Pediatric Surgical Training Program In India in 1966. He was one of the founders of Indian Association of Pediatric surgeons (lAPS) in 1965. He occupied coveted positions in the academic circle, such as the President of the Association of Surgeons of India (1979), President of IAPS (1973-74) and Vice-President ofthe Pan Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons. He had several national and international publications and edited The First Indian Textbook Of Pediatric Surgery. After superannuation in 1981 he was instrumental in starting the CHILDS Trust Hospital at Chennai which is a Pediatric super specialty facility. He nurtured this institution from a rented building to a 50-bedded one to what is now a 200 bedded comprehensive pediatric super specialty hospital. He was also instrumental in getting recognition for this institution for postgraduate training in Pediatric medicine and surgery by the National Board of Examinations: His dedication to the institution is inscribed in every brick and mortar of the building, as he supervised every aspect of its structure. His vision to make this institution one of the best in South East Asia is fulfilled today. Prof. MSR was unique in himself, being an Excellent Academician, Astute Clinician, Vivid Researcher, Acclaimed Teacher, Surgeon Par Excellence And A Selfless Humanitarian with service towards the down trodden and sick children of the Nation. In his memory , his students and admirers created an endowment oration in his name in IAPS .He is survived by his wife Prof. Mathangi Ramakrishnan ( Renowned Plastic Surgeon ) and Dr.Priya Ramachandran ( Paediatric Surgeon ) . Biographer : Dr.Priya Ramachandran ( Daughter of Prof MSR).

Kuttiparampil Eapen Mammen was born in 1935 and obtained his medical graduation from Christian Medical College, Vellore in 1950s under the legendry founder of the hospital Dr Ida Scudder. Dr Mammen was trained in pediatric surgery by another stalwart Dr MS Ramakrishnan in 1970 at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children at Chennai. Subsequently Dr Mammen went to Pittsburg to get train under the great Dr Ravitch who authored the popular Text Book In Pediatric Surgery. Wherever he was Dr Mammen impressed his teachers with his diligence, skill and commitment to patients. Immediately after his training he was asked to take charge of a pediatric surgery unit at Southampton, UK which he did for a year. He founded the department of pediatric surgery at the Christian Medical College, Vellore in 1978. He remained as the head of the department until his retirement in 1995. In this long tenure he trained many successful pediatric surgeons who now occupy prominent positions in various institutions. He encouraged the flower of wisdom and knowledge to bloom from within a student rather than to force its opening from outside. This was the secret of his teaching method. He was unanimously elected as President of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons in the year 1995. He was very active until his very last days. Just two days before his demise he was actively taking part in Anorectal workshop at Chidambaram. He died on 14th July 2003 at Coimbatore following sudden massive cerebral hemorrhage. He is survived by his wife Mrs Mary Mammen and three daughters (Rekha, Sunitha and Dr Priya -Priya is a psychiatrist at Christian Medical College, Vellore) and two grandchildren. His legacy is not of so many publications and books but of the spirit which lives on as a yearning for the compassionate care of children. Biographer: Dr Sudipta Sen (First pediatric surgical trainee under Dr Mammen)

Dr Dayalan was graduated from Madras medical College in 1962. He got masters degree in general surgery from AlIMS in 1967. He got M.Ch Pediatric Surgery from Institute of Child Health, Chennai in 1969. He continued to teach in the same institute. He was greatly interested in Pediatric Radiology. In those days when ultrasound and CT scans were not available , he developed open inguinal Iymphadenography to diagnose para-aortic nodes. Along with Prof. M. S. Ramakrishnan , he published several papers. His classification of meconium cyst is still followed and often quoted in textbooks. In a span of 3 decades he trained many pediatric surgeons. Kindness is the key word of him. Biographer: Dr HR Shanbhogue (Colleague of Dr Dayalan).

Prof. Thiagarajan is fondly called as “Annachi” (Big brother) by his friends and colleagues. He was qualified M.Ch in 1979 . from Madurai Medical College. He was trained by the renowned Pediatric Surgeon Prof T. Dorairajan ( PROF TDR ). He steadily ascended in . the career ladder and reached the prestigious position of Professor and Head of Pediatric Surgery at Stanley Medical College, Chennai. He was a perfect gentleman. He was good at heart and never spoke ill about others. He always maintained simplicity in his life. He held several important posts such as Chairman of Chennai City Chapter of Pediatric surgeons (CCPS). He died on 12th December 2006 following a brief illness resembling septicemia and hyperpyrexia. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Biographer: Prof P.V.Hayavadana Rao (Classmate of Dr Thiagarajan)

Dr KG Vivekanandan, fondly called as KGV by his trainees and colleagues, was born in 1946. He did his masters degree in general surgery at Madras Medical College in 1960s and subsequently M.Ch pediatric surgery at Institute of Child Health at Chennai in the year 1978. He became professor of pediatric surgery and later as pediatric urologist in the same institution. Due to his ill health he took voluntary retirement few days before his death on 3Oth July 2003. He spent the last 10 years of his life bravely fighting advanced prostatic malignancy with hitherto unheard confidence. Even when he was suffering from advanced disease he enthusiastically delivered Dr KG Kumaravel memorial oration at the TPPS first annual conference. His lecture on neuroblastoma then reflected his deepest commitment to the welfare of suffering children. He has contributed chapters in the ASI textbook of surgery. Dr KGV was a strict disciplinarian, humane surgeon and an astute craftsman. He is survived by his wife and three sons. Biographer: Dr Ramkumar Raghupathy (Classmate of Dr K.G.Vivekanandan)

Dr Chandrasekaran was born on 21 June 1944. After schooling at Madura College High School at Madurai he completed MBBS in 1967, M.S in 1970 and M.Ch in 1973. He received all his medical trainings from Madurai Medical College. Subsequently he joined the teaching faculty of his alma matter and served for long years as Assistant Professor of Pediatric surgery. He retired as professor and Head of pediatric surgery at Thanjavur Medical College. He was a kind and systematic person dedicated to his profession. He was a loving father, a devoted husband, an inspiring father-in-law and affectionate grandfather. He was a very pious man who spends his last days in spiritual paths. He was an excellent pediatric surgeon with very safe hands, a good clinician, and was friendly with his colleagues. In his last few years of life he slowly withdrew from professional life due to uncomfortable development of portal hypertension. He breathed last on 29 December 2007. He is survived by his wife Dr. Uma Maheswari (Gynecologist) and a daughter Dr. Aparna. His inspired his son-in-law Dr Ganesh Prabhu to pursue a career in pediatric surgery. Biographer: Dr. AJ. Thirithuvathas (Teacher & Colleague of Dr Chandrasekaran)