Tribute to Prof. Lalit K Sharma
A compassionate surgeon, inspiring teacher and ethical mentor
Early morning in USA, I received a WhatsApp message from Sunil Chumber, Head of Department of Surgical Disciplines at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi — “We are deeply saddened.” I immediately understood the message because the only person common between us was Prof. Lalit K Sharma, fondly called LKS. My wife Lily noticed my wet eyes and quietly asked if I was alright.
Dr Lalit K Sharma, born in 1932, served as Professor and Head of Department of General Surgery at AIIMS, New Delhi. He was widely respected for his pioneering work on abdominal tuberculosis and gallbladder cancer. Incidentally, I inherited both academic interests from him.
LKS became Chief of Unit I in February 1982. Though some referred to him as a “conservative” surgeon, in my opinion he was a remarkably safe surgeon who avoided unnecessary bravado and always prioritized patient welfare above surgical ego. For this reason, I dedicated my book Safe Cholecystectomy A to Z to him.
“Safe surgery is requirement of time. When patient offers to be operated by surgeon, he hands over himself to surgeon to do whatever is required. Surgeons should never take surgery as routine. Each procedure needs a safe technique.”
Mentorship & Surgical Ethics
LKS was a true “hands-on” mentor, literally. During one difficult surgical complication in my early years, he quietly scrubbed in and helped me salvage the situation without uttering a single harsh word. His calm intervention and constructive encouragement prevented me from losing confidence. Many senior surgeons would have shouted or asked the trainee to step away; he never humiliated his students.
His entire surgical philosophy was deeply patient-centered and firmly rooted in medical ethics — qualities increasingly rare in today’s world of hyper-specialization and aggressive medicine.
He authored more than 100 scientific publications and generously allowed younger colleagues to take first authorship on manuscripts they prepared. I vividly remember his magnanimity when he permitted me to be first author of a Leading Article on abdominal tuberculosis in the British Journal of Surgery in 1988 and even allowed me to keep the entire honorarium of GBP 100.
During my years as a vocal anti-administration resident doctors’ union leader, the administration hesitated to appoint me as Senior Resident. Much later, LKS revealed that he strongly supported my selection, stating that although I was an activist, I was also a sincere worker.
Teacher, Guide & Inspiration
After retirement from AIIMS, Prof Sharma settled in Noida, where my parents also lived. He expected me to visit him often, but like many professionals consumed by career pursuits, I failed to do so. I regret neglecting both my parents and my surgical mentor during those busy years.
My repentance came later when I acknowledged his mentorship during my oration titled How to be a Dronacharya Today? at the Indian Association of Surgical Gastroenterology in 2018.
Jaipur Surgical Festival (JSF), the annual surgical education program of Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital, honored Prof Sharma with the JSF Samman Award in 2023. Due to health reasons, he could not travel to Jaipur, and the award was received on his behalf by Professor Sadiq S Sikora, one among many distinguished “LKSonians” — the alumni of Surgery Unit I at AIIMS, New Delhi.
His students went on to become internationally renowned surgeons and medical leaders across India and abroad. Every Teachers’ Day on September 5, he would personally call his former students.
“I consider teacher and student as team. They learn from each other.”
This message, sent on Teachers’ Day in 2025, became his final communication to me.
Compassion & Humanity
LKS touched countless lives through surgery, teaching, mentorship, and generosity. He treated patients and their anxious families with equal respect irrespective of social or economic background.
He constantly reminded residents to devote more attention to poor patients than to VIPs because VIPs, he said, would receive attention from everyone anyway.
He lived a remarkably simple life without extravagance and quietly sponsored education for several children. One such student is currently pursuing MBBS at Sharda University, Noida.
Family & Personal Life
Prof Sharma’s wife, Dr Madhavi Devi, held a PhD in Education from Boston University, USA. She was invited by the Director of AIIMS to establish the College of Nursing and served as its Principal from 1981 to 1992.
She regularly hosted dinners for Unit members and their families. One of Prof Sharma’s favorite desserts was jelly custard, which he personally served to everyone, often insisting on second helpings.
They hosted a memorable dinner to welcome my wife Lily after our marriage in 1984. Dr Madhavi Devi passed away in 2000.
Their daughter, Dr Maulina Sharma, is a Consultant Dermatologist at Derby & Burton University Hospitals, UK, and Clinical Associate Professor at Nottingham School of Medicine. Their son Lokesh Sharma, an MBA graduate from Leeds University, is pursuing a corporate career in Australia.
Legacy
Prof Lalit K Sharma remained humble in demeanor, compassionate toward patients, and deeply caring toward his mentees throughout his life.
God was perhaps as gentle to him as he was to the tissues he handled during surgery. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 7, 2026 after a fruitful life devoted to patients, students, and family — in that order.
His legacy lives on through generations of surgeons trained under him, countless patients healed by his hands, and the values of ethical and compassionate surgery he embodied throughout his life.
Authored by: Dr VK Kapoor
Professor of Surgical Gastroenterology
Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (MGMCH), Jaipur
Inputs by: Dr Maulina Sharma