Bhubaneswar, Nov 3: Some lives are measured by the years they are lived. Others are remembered through the lives they touch, the institutions they build and the seemingly impossible challenges they overcome.

The life of eminent neurosurgeon and Padma Shri awardee Professor (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra belongs to the latter category.

Odisha has lost a distinguished medical personality. India has lost a pioneering neurosurgeon. But the stories of the lives he transformed, the medical milestones he achieved and the institutions he helped establish will continue to speak of his remarkable journey.

Dr Mahapatra passed away on November 2, 2026, while undergoing treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi. He was 73.

A journey that began in a small village in Puri

Born on December 29, 1952, in Puri district, Dr Mahapatra's journey from a rural background to the highest levels of India's medical fraternity was marked by determination, dedication and academic excellence.

He completed his schooling in Biranarasinghpur village and pursued his intermediate science studies at SCS College in Puri. He later joined MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, where he completed his MBBS in 1975.

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His pursuit of medical excellence took him to AIIMS, New Delhi, where he completed his postgraduate studies in surgery and specialised in neurosurgery.

In 1983, he began his academic career in the Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS, New Delhi. Over the next three decades, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Professor, Head of the Department and Dean of Research.

His career also took him to Lucknow, where he served as Director of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences from 2006 to 2009.

The 16-hour surgery that made history

For millions of people in Odisha, Dr Mahapatra's name will forever be associated with Jaga and Balia.

In 2017, he led a team of specialists at AIIMS, New Delhi, in the historic separation surgery of the conjoined twins from Kandhamal district. The twins were joined at the head, making the procedure an exceptionally complex medical challenge.

The operation required detailed planning, specialised expertise and the coordination of a large multidisciplinary team. The first stage of the surgery was conducted on August 28, 2017, followed by the final separation in October that year.

The challenging procedure brought national and international attention to the medical team and marked a major milestone in India's neurosurgical history.
In a 2025 interview, Dr Mahapatra described the separation of Jaga and Balia as a turning point in his career. He recalled how the team studied the case in detail and brought together specialists from different medical disciplines before undertaking the operation.

For Odisha, it was more than a medical achievement. It was a moment of pride — a doctor with roots in the state leading a team that took on a challenge few medical professionals would dare to undertake.

His contribution went beyond the operation theatre

While the Jaga-Balia surgery brought him widespread recognition, Dr Mahapatra's contribution to healthcare extended far beyond one landmark operation.

In 2012, he returned to Odisha to take charge as the founding Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar. He played a key role in developing the institution during its formative years, helping establish its academic programmes and strengthening its medical education and healthcare infrastructure.

During his tenure from 2012 to 2016, MBBS, nursing, postgraduate and super-speciality programmes were introduced.

His leadership helped lay the foundation for an institution that continues to serve patients from Odisha and neighbouring states.

He later served as Vice-Chancellor of Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University in Bhubaneswar from 2020 to 2022 and continued to guide the institution as Principal Advisor (Health Sciences).

A scientist, teacher and institution builder

Dr Mahapatra's achievements were not limited to clinical practice and administration. He made significant contributions to medical research and academic development.

According to his official Padma Shri citation, he published 870 research papers, authored 16 books and contributed more than 140 book chapters. He also guided doctoral scholars and undertook several research projects during his academic career.

He received several honours for his contribution to medicine, including the C.V. Raman Award for Scientific Excellence in 2022. The Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on him in recognition of his services to the field of medicine.

Yet, beyond the awards and professional achievements, his legacy also lives in the doctors he mentored, the students he guided and the medical institutions he helped strengthen.

A legacy that will outlive him

From the classrooms of Puri to the corridors of AIIMS, from the operating theatre in New Delhi to the establishment of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra's journey was one of extraordinary professional commitment.

He demonstrated how medical science, courage, teamwork and years of preparation can come together to confront challenges once considered almost impossible.

His passing leaves a void in the medical fraternity, particularly in Odisha. But the lives touched by his work, the knowledge he shared and the institutions he helped build will continue to carry his legacy forward.

A village gave India a doctor. India found a pioneering neurosurgeon. And Odisha will remember him as one of its finest sons.