Everything he touched turned gold: Legacy of Padma Shri Dr G Vijayaraghavan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A life dedicated to healthcare sector. Late cardiologist Dr G Vijayaraghavan’s sincerity and commitment were nonpareil, and he truly lived up to his name—'Vijayaraghavan' (meaning 'victorious')—by achieving remarkable success in every endeavour within the field of medicine.

Dr Vijayaraghavan is credited with the significant achievement of establishing the country's first 2D echocardiography laboratory at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1979, a feat that brought him international recognition. He laid the foundation for advanced cardiac care systems within Kerala's public health sector. He also spearheaded the establishment of the first Doppler laboratory in Kuwait in 1985.

At Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, he paved the way for the treatment of endomyocardial fibrosis—a heart muscle disease—through collaborations with the Postgraduate Medical School in London and Brompton Hospital. His research publications in internationally renowned journals marked a turning point in this field. In the 1970s, his findings regarding the toxicity of the *Othalanga* (Cerbera odollam) fruit helped save the lives of numerous individuals who had attempted suicide. In 1983, he received an invitation to work at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he became a researcher in the field of Doppler echocardiography. Earlier, as a student at Thiruvananthapuram Model School and a member of the Bharat Scouts, Vijayaraghavan had travelled to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in person and receive his commendation. Everything he touched turned to gold, right from his student days.

Vijayaraghavan, honoured by the nation with the Padma Shri, has received numerous accolades from across the globe. His achievements include honorary fellowships from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (UK), the Royal College of Physicians of London, and the American College of Cardiology, as well as the American Heart Association's prestigious Golden Heart Fellowship.

He was also awarded fellowships by the Indian College of Cardiology, the Indian Academy of Echocardiography, the International Medical Sciences Academy, and the Cardiological Society of India. Furthermore, he has received lifetime achievement awards from the Indian Academy of Echocardiography, the Indian College of Cardiology, and the Cardiological Society of India.