From selling fruits to pioneering cancer care: Dr Deshmane's journey

Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane's remarkable journey from a humble background to becoming a pioneering surgical oncologist and Padma Shri awardee is a testament to her resilience and dedication. Born in 1955 in Karnataka to a financially struggling family, Deshmane helped her mother sell fruits and vegetables to support her family. Her father encouraged her to become a surgeon from a young age, but financial hardship and even academic failure threatened to derail her dreams.

She returned to college, completed her MBBS and MS in General Surgery, and became the first woman in her institution to do so. Despite being questioned about her suitability for surgery due to her gender, Deshmane remained steadfast, stating, "Give me surgery." She joined Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru as a resident doctor and eventually became the institute’s first woman professor.

Breast cancer became a major focus of her work, and she led global research projects and improved surgical and treatment practices. Her personal loss, including the deaths of her mother and sister from cancer, further fueled her mission to raise awareness, early detection, and research. Over three decades at Kidwai, Deshmane trained generations of doctors and worked to make cancer treatment more accessible.

Retirement did not mark the end of her contributions, as she continued working on cancer awareness and social initiatives, serving as president of an organization supporting orphaned girls and in leadership roles at various institutions. In 2025, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri for her exceptional contributions to oncology and breast-cancer research.