“Two words: compassion and service. My decision to become a doctor was driven largely by these two values instilled in me by my family. My parents were the first healthcare professionals in their families – mom a midwife and dad a doctor of pharmacy. They moved to a town called Sathupally in Khammam district when I was young, and spent most of their practice years serving the people in the nearby villages.

Growing up, I was a shy, nerdy kind of kid, and science seemed to draw me in. On Sunday mornings, dad would take me on rounds to his clinic. Throughout that time, they impressed upon me the virtues of commitment and service over personal gain and the privilege of helping others.

I followed the footsteps of my father and moved back to my hometown Sathupally after completing my MBBS in Gandhi medical College. On visiting some of the interior villages, I realized that they had nothing – no water, no medical resources, and transportation facilities. That’s when I decided to dedicate my life to serve them. With a service-oriented approach, I have conducted over a thousand medical camps for free of cost at the tribal villages of Khammam district. My wife supported me in every possible way in my journey and we had started a public health clinic named Asha Chest and Emergency Hospital for the welfare of the underprivileged 15 years ago. Not only that, but we have also issued health cards to nearly 13,000 poor people in this village.

During the lockdown period, with the support of friends and volunteers, we have conducted several welfare activities in the district including sanitization drives, and distribution of face masks, medicines, and sanitizers to the local villagers. Not only that, but we have also started feeding monkeys and stray dogs at Cherukupalli forests and Neeladri and Yerragunta temples for more than eight months now.

When I look back, I only have countless memories from my journey becoming a physician. A lack of awareness and education about health has caused severe problems to the tribal communities including anemia, skin infections, frequent fevers, and malnourishment. My motive as a doctor would be to serve these communities as long as I can within my capacity so that they can excel in their lives with equal opportunity and access to healthcare.”