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October 18, 2008
An Interview with DR. M.S. Ashraf M.D.,, a native of Kayalpatnam,
running Ayesha Hospital in Trichy and the recent recepient of B.C. Roy National
Award for 2006 in the category of Medico-Social Relief
Email try_drashraf@sify.com
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Kayalpatnam.com>Congratulations on being conferred the Dr.B.C.Roy award by the President of
India recently. How did you hear this news first? What was your initial reaction and the reaction
of your family?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
Thank you very much for your recognition and good wishes.
To be honest, I was in my prayer mat ready for my noon prayer when my mobile phone rang. I stepped out to
answer the phone. It was a well-wisher and an able leader in our profession who had called me. He said
Congratulation Ashraf, you have been selected for the prestigious Dr.Bidhan Chandra Roy National
award. He repeated it when I asked in surprise is it really true. I called him in the
evening to confirm the news.
Since it was only a telephonic message, I called my wife Zeenath Ashraf after my prayer and told
her (about the news). She was not very much aware of the significance of the award. However, at that
moment, I was extremely happy and thanked the Almighty.
Kayalpatnam.com>Could you tell us about the day in which you received this award from the
President in New Delhi?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
This award is usually presented on the 1st of July every year (the birthday and the
day of demise of Dr.Bidhan Chandra Roy [Dr.B.C.Roy] - the former Chief Minister of West Bengal,
former Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University and former Mayor of Calcutta).
I had the privilege of receiving this award from our President of India, Her Excellency Smt. Prathiba
Patil.
On July 1st at 12.00 Noon, my wife Mrs.Zeenath Ashraf, my son Dr.A.Kader/ Daughter-in-law,
Mrs.Ashika Kader / My daughter Mrs. Ayesha Kader / Son-in-law, Kani Abdul Kader were present on the
occasion at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. All the awardees and their family had the honour
of taking lunch with the President of India on that day.
Kayalpatnam.com>In which year was Dr.B.C.Roy award instituted? For what services is this award given?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
Dr.B.C.Roy award was instituted in 1962 following the death of the eminent doctor at
the age of 80. Awards are given under four categories -
1. Eminent Medical Person
2. Eminent Medical Teacher
3. Recognition of the best Talents in encouraging the development of specalities in different
branches in Medicine
4. For Socio Medical Relief (the category in which Dr.Ashraf received the award)
Kayalpatnam.com>Tell us about the work you did that earned you this award from the President.
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
Active involvement in comprehensive adoption of villages under the aegis of Aao Gaon Chalen Project
(Come let us go to the villages project) of Indian Medical Association - IMA (Head Quarters,
New Delhi), motivating / supervising adoption of villages in Tamil Nadu / Kerala / Karnataka /
Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry (135 villages adopted under the aegis of Aao Gaon Chalen
Project) and for promoting continuing medical education for medical and para-medical persons in
Thiruchirapalli and Tamil Nadu.
Kayalpatnam.com>What inspired you to pursue seriously the case of rural healthcare?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
70% of our population lives in rural areas - unaware of the progress in health care. To reach those poor
people, it was necessary to adopt these villages to provide better sanitaiton and control of
infectious diseases.
The modern facilities in health care are available only in metros and big cities.
Kayalpatnam.com>Any memorable events that you encountered in the course of your work in the
rural areas - events that motivate(d) you to continue your work in the rural areas?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
People in these villages were grateful to the work done by the Medical Association. Leaders of the
Panchayat rendered all assistances for our work. That motivated us to continue the work.
Kayalpatnam.com>India produces roughly about 20,000 doctors every year. Given the corporatisation
of healthcare, how do you foresee the future of healthcare in India?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
India, especially Tamil Nadu, has a very bright future for medical tourism and it is already attracting
patients from the Far East, Middle Eastern countries, Srilanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh. It is cost
effective for them compared to Western countries.
I have written a detailed article on this for The Hindu - which was published on the 14th of September,
2008.
>>Click here to read the article
Kayalpatnam.com>Don't you feel - given that only limited number of medical professionals are produced in India and most of them enter corporate healthcare sector, that would have huge impact on health care for the poor and the needy - especially in rural and semi-urban areas (like Kayalpatnam)?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
Your question is valid. The only answer is improving the living condition in the villages and
giving attractive incentives to the doctors willing to serve in the rural areas.
Kayalpatnam.com>Tell us about your educational background. Where did you do your schooling,
graduation and post-graduation?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
SCHOOL : St.Mary’s Anglo Indian High School, Chennai
P.U.C : Loyola College, Chennai
M.B.B.S : Tirunelveli Medical College
M.D. : Passed in M.D. General Medicine in 1978 (Madras Medical College, Chennai)
Kayalpatnam.com>Tell us about your family.
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
My father Haji S.A. Meera Sahib was one of the partners of LKS Jewellers and was instrumental in
developing the business in Jaffna, Colombo and also in Madras. He had a vision for education and took
the bold step in the early 70s of sending my sisters to college.
Similarly my father-in-law Haji.S.A. Kader Sahib was also a partner of LKS Jewellers and
developed the business in Trichy. He also founded the Hotel Aristo - the first star hotel in Trichy.
He also started one of the biggest furniture showrooms in Trichy.
Both SA.M. (Haji S.A. Meera Sahib) and SA.K (Haji.S.A. Kader Sahib) are the nephews of
Haji L.K. Lebbai Thambi - considered the Kalvi Thandhai of Kayal (the father of education
in Kayalpatnam).
Mr. S.A. Sulaiman M.A., my uncle, was one of the first post-graduates from kayal and author of
a book - Pazhamozhi 1000. He was my guardian in my early years of education.
My wife Zeenath Ashraf/ Sisters - Ariffa Sadakathulla and Ezzath Katheeb were one of the first women
graduates of Kayalpatnam.
My son Dr.A.Kader Sahib is a physician and a budding cardiologist, daughter-in-law Ashika has
completed M.Sc. Visual Communcation. My daughter Ayesha has completed B.Com and MBA. My
son-in-law Kani Abdul Kader is a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering and is working for an MNC
in Medical Software.
You need a lot of support and tolerance from your family - for a doctor especially when he is involved
in public cause. I must thank my wife and family for their support in all my endeavours.
Our native place Kayalpatnam is one of the best in our country mainly because of the education, enterprising
quality and hospitality of citizens of Kayal.
Kayalpatnam.com>What are your views on the status of healthcare in Kayalpatnam? Is it satisfactory?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
Kayalpatnam needs awareness in health and education, focusing on Diabetes / Hypertension (High BP) /
Heart Disease and Obesity (over-weight). These are the diseases which are very prevalent in
Kayalpatnam.
Although people are ready to spend for their medical expenses, they have to be educated to regularly
exercise and control their diet.
Kayalpatnam.com>What are your future plans? Do you intend to serve in Kayalpatnam in the future?
Dr.M.S. Ashraf M.D.>
I have a plan to visit Kayalpatnam regularly for the upliftment of our L.K. Higher Secondary School /
Matriculation School and Kayalpatnam Medical Trust. This is possible insha-Allah, after my son
Dr. A.Kader Sahib settles in Trichy (after completing his course in Cardiology) to look after
my hospital (Ayesha Hospital) in Trichy.
My message for our brothers and sisters is to give utmost importance to education both male and
female - even if you have flourishing businesses. One need not necessarily think education is only for
employment purpose. Educated housewives can make all the difference in bringing up their children
in a proper manner.
Thank you. Assalamu alaikum. My prayers for all in Kayalpatnam.
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