PNN
New Delhi [India], August 24: For years, I have seen patients arrive with not only physical pain but also a sense of shame. Conditions such as fissures, fistulas, chronic constipation, and piles affect millions of Indians, yet remain unspoken due to embarrassment. Addressing this silence, more than the disease itself, has been my mission for the past twenty-five years and continues to guide my work today.
As Chief Colorectal Surgeon and founder of Smiles Institute of Gastroenterology, my work combines surgery, science, and social change. In India, treating coloproctological disease is not only a clinical challenge but also a cultural one.
When I began my career, minimally invasive colorectal care was still emerging in India. I trained extensively to introduce laparoscopic and robotic techniques into routine practice. I was the first doctor in Karnataka to perform Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) surgery for fistula and to introduce laser treatment for colorectal and digestive disorders in the state. These were not just clinical milestones; they represented a commitment to faster, less painful, and less disruptive recoveries for patients.
At Smiles, we have built a team of surgeons who share a commitment to both precision and empathy. However, technology alone cannot address stigma. Overcoming it requires conversation, education, and patience. This is why I dedicate as much time to discussing lifestyle and dietary changes with patients as I do to surgery. Prevention remains the most undervalued aspect of care.
India is home to 1.4 billion people, and reaching even a fraction with improved gut health awareness is a responsibility I take seriously. This motivates me to train the next generation of colorectal surgeons, promote advanced techniques, and speak openly about conditions that have long been stigmatised.
Recognition as one of India's new-age leaders is not defined by awards, though I am grateful for honours such as the Young Scientist Award and the Best Paper Award for surgical devascularisation. My focus is on demonstrating that a healthcare business can grow ambitiously while always prioritising patient care.
I believe the future of Indian business lies in institutions that value dignity as highly as they treat disease. At Smiles, this is the future we are building, one patient and one honest conversation at a time.
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Breaking the Silence: Building the Future of Colorectal Care in India
