Dr. P. Raghu Ram Conferred Prestigious UK Honour OBE Award by Prince Charles
New Delhi: Dr. P. Raghu Ram, Director, KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases and Founder CEO of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation based out of Hyderabad, has achieved the rare distinction to become one of the youngest surgeons of Indian origin in over 100 years to be conferred OBE(Officer of the Most Excellent Order of British Empire).
The award was bestowed by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, who represented Queen Elizabeth II during a glittering Investiture ceremony held on 30 March 2022 at the Windsor Castle in Windsor near London, which is the oldest & largest occupied Castle in the world and is one of the official residences of the British Monarch.
Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, Hon'ble Vice President of India tweeted congratulating Dr. Raghu Ram on receiving this rare honor.
OBE is the second-highest-ranking of the British Empire award(excluding a knighthood/damehood)that has been conferred in recognition of Dr. Raghu Ram's "outstanding services towards improving breast cancer care and surgical education in India and to UK/India relations."
Dr. Raghu Ram's honor was featured in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth's 2021 New year's Honours list, which was also published in the "London Gazette"– the official publication of the Crown. Instituted in 1917, Queen's Honours are amongst the most prestigious awards worldwide.
A world-renowned Surgeon, Dr. Raghu Ram is also one of the youngest recipients of the prestigious Padma Shri & Dr. BC Roy National awards conferred by the Hon'ble President of India in 2015 & 2016 respectively.
Speaking after being formally presented to the OBE, Dr. Raghu Ram said
"I am deeply grateful to her Majesty, The Queen for conferring this high honor. Over the past 15 years, I have strived to replicate the best of British practices in my motherland & feel immensely proud to have been a 'living bridge' between the UK and India. I dedicate this astonishing moment and tremendous recognition to my family, my patients, my Colleagues at KIMS Hospitals, and the Indian Surgical fraternity world over. Proud to represent my motherland at the Windsor Castle today in the traditional Indian attire with India's tricolor pocket square representing Bharath".
Dr Raghu Ram's distinguished academic track record, love for his motherland & passion for social service are very strong characteristics of the Man. He has been an advocate of best practices in his chosen field, coupled with a human touch and many altruistic values. His significant contribution over the past 15 years towards improving breast healthcare and surgical education in India through his strong links with the United Kingdom have been his trademarks.
He established South Asia's first dedicated comprehensive Breast Health Centre, founded a breast cancer charity to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, implemented South Asia's largest population-based Breast Cancer Screening Programme in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which has saved many lives and has been the driving force behind the formation of The Association of Breast Surgeons of India, a dedicated organization that brings together surgeons practicing the art & science of breast surgery under one platform. He championed several life-transforming initiatives in his adopted village, Ibrahimpur through personal philanthropy in addition to raising money & spearheading a major pan India initiative to procure and distribute the much-needed PPEs to healthcare workers in response to the COVID 19 crisis.
The British Honours system aims to show gratitude publicly to those who have gone the extra mile' in their service and who stand out 'head and shoulders above others in their distinction. The Queens Honours, which is part of the British Honours system has a robust and thorough selection process. The "Honours Committee" produces the list, independently of the Government, before it is submitted to the Queen through the Prime Minister. As 'fountain of honor' in the UK, Her Majesty, The Queen has the sole right of conferring titles of honour on deserving people from all walks of life, in public recognition of their outstanding merit, exceptional service or bravery.
Some of the well-known names who received an OBE in recent times include Om Puri (Actor), Prof. Michael Griffin - President, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, David Beckham (Sports), Ben Stokes (Vice-captain, England's cricket team), Victoria Beckham (Fashion), JK Rowling (Author-Harry Potter series), Kiera Knightley (Actor), Damon Albarn (Musician)and others.
