Personal Information

• Name: Prof. Dr. Laxmikanta Mahapatra
• Date of Birth: April 13, 1926
• Parents: Eldest son of Basudev Mahapatra
• Principles: Embodiment of Satyabadi Principles

Education:

• MBBS:
  S.C.B Medical College, Cuttack
  Graduated in 1950 (2nd batch)
• Diploma in Ophthalmology:
  Aligarh University
  Completed in 1957
• Training in Tropical Medicine:
  Calcutta
  Specialized training in tropical medicine prior to focusing on ophthalmology

Professional Experience:

• General Practitioner (1953 – 1957):
  Started career as a general practitioner after completing MBBS.
• State Health Cadre, Sambalpur (1957-1958):
  Short stint in the state health cadre, focusing on general medical services.
• Ophthalmology Department, S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack (1958-1966):
  • Joined the Ophthalmology department under the mentorship of Dr. Mahendra Chandra Mishra.
  • Specialized in ophthalmology and contributed to the department’s growth.
• Senior Teacher, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur (1966-1975):
  • Prominent role in the ophthalmology department.
  • Developed expertise in dacryocystitis.
• Professor and Head of Ophthalmology, VSS Medical College, Burla (1975-1980):
  Promoted to the position of Professor and served as the head of the Ophthalmology Department.
• Head of Ophthalmology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur (1980-1984):
  • Rejoined MKCG Medical College as the Head of the Ophthalmology Department.
  • Led the department until retirement in 1984.

Post-Retirement Contributions:

Social Services:
Provided free eye check-ups for the underprivileged at Sakhigopal, continuing his legacy of service to the community.

Specialization and Expertise: Ophthalmology Specialist:

• Accomplished in managing dacryocystitis (inflammation of the tear duct).
• Made significant contributions to ophthalmic care during his tenure as an educator and practitioner.

Additional Skills and Interests:

• Art: Excelled in colored paint brush art, showcasing creativity and passion beyond medicine.
• Literature: Engaged in literary pursuits, contributing to the cultural and intellectual community.

Legacy: Oration in His Honor:

The Dr. Laxmikanta Mahapatra Oration was instituted by late Dr. Gadadhar Sarangi to honor his contributions to ophthalmology and his dedication to service.

• Community Service:
  Remembered for his devotion to providing free healthcare services to the poor in Sakhigopal after his retirement, reflecting his lifelong commitment to serving others.

Personal Values: Prof. Dr. Laxmikanta Mahapatra was deeply influenced by the Satyabadi principles of truth, simplicity, and service to humanity. These principles guided his professional journey and personal life, making him a revered figure both in the medical community and beyond.

Date of Demise: January 21, 2015

Awardee

• Oration award will be given to either to a paediatric ophthalmologist or to an ophthalmologist who has contributed significantly to any paediatric eye disease.
• Prof. Dr Jayachandra Das, Retired Prof and Head of Guru Nanak Centre for ophthalmology was given the responsibility to choose a suitable candidate for the purpose.
• But, without dishonouring the departed souls, without disrespecting Prof Jayachandra Das, a selection committee was set up, keeping the future in mind.

The selection committee may be constituted with:

• Prof Dr Jayachandra Das
• President OSOS
• Honorary General Secretary, OSOS
• Chairman Scientific Committee, OSOS
• Head of Post Graduate Institute in Ophthalmology, Odisha (One on rotation basis).

The committee will recommend at least two names to the Executive Committee and the awardee will be finalized by the Executive Committee.

Thus, every year an outstanding paediatric ophthalmologist of the state or the country will be chosen for the award.

Award

• The award is given every year during the annual conference of OSOS
• The selected candidate’s consent will be sought. Failing consent, next in the list be contacted. Consensus is preferred
• If failing, majority opinion of the committee will prevail.
• The selection process must be complete at least four months prior to the annual conference
• The awardee will be intimated at least three months before the date of conference to allow sufficient time in his schedule and preparing for the oration.
• The awardee, besides the travel expenses, local hospitality and complimentary registration, will be presented with a plaque and a certificate during inauguration
• In case the award is not materialised, it will be cancelled.
• Next year fresh selection will be made.

Year Wise Recipients

• 2015 : Prof Dr Jayachandra Das
• 2016 : Dr Lalit Verma
• 2017 : Dr Partha Biswas
• 2018 : Dr Varshini Shanker
• 2019 : Dr Zia Choudhury
• 2020 : Dr Manish Shrivastav
• 2021 : Dr Aparna Rao
• 2022 : Dr Sudarshan kumar Khokhar
• 2023 : Dr Suma Ganesh
• 2024 : Dr Geeta Srinivasan
• 2025 : Dr Viney Gupta