PGIMER’s former dean Prof Digambar Behera gets Padma Shri award

Professor Digambar Behera, former dean (research) and head of pulmonary medicine department of the PGIMER was given the Padma Shri by President Ram Nath Kovind

Professor Digambar Behera, former dean (research) and head of pulmonary medicine department of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) was given the Padma Shri by President Ram Nath Kovind for his commendable contribution in the field of medicine at the civil investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday.

Prof Digambar Behera, former dean (research) and head of pulmonary medicine department of the PGIMER, receives the Padma Shri award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday. (HT Photo)

The award ceremony was also attended by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several cabinet ministers.

A recipient of 29 national and seven international awards, Prof Digambar Behera is a renowned specialist in respiratory medicine and was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution in the field of medicine in 2020. Dr Behera has a clinical experience of over 40 years and was associated with the PGIMER, Chandigarh, till April this year. Presently, he is associated with the Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

Hailing from Odisha, Dr Behera completed his graduation from SCB Medical College, Utkal University, in 1978. He then joined the department of medicine at the PGIMER as a junior resident in 1978. Dr Behera completed his MD from the PGIMER in 1980.

Dr Behera is a pioneer of lung cancer chemotherapy and the founder president of the Indian Society for the Study of Lung Cancer. Currently, Dr Behera is the president of the Indian Chest Society and chairman of the National Task Force for National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.

Besides visiting more than 81 countries for academic purposes, Dr Behera is a member of various scientific societies and is on the editorial board of various scientific journals. He has over 500 publications to his name and has presented more than 580 papers in national and international conferences.

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He said as per Sehgal’s advice, the company used to transfer money to her personal account from time to time on a need basis for further depositing with various government departments on behalf of the company.

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