Padma Shri Dr KG Saxena

(1912 – 2003)

The name of Dr KG Saxena is synonymous with the struggle for the acceptance, promotion and advancement of the art and science of Homoeopathy in India. Born September 25, 1912, his long and eventful life has been a saga of ceaseless struggles and great sacrifices for getting due recognition to the homoeopathic system of medicine as a viable, effective, safe, inexpensive and recognized an alternative system of medicine. It is a remarkable achievement of Dr KG Saxena, made in the face of non-cooperation and strong opposition towards Homoeopathy by the medical bureaucracy and government apathy.

On his long and arduous journey Dr KG Saxena, by dint of his dedication and perseverance, crossed many milestones of success. He was responsible for getting Homoeopathic Resolutions adopted as early as 1937 and again in 1948 for recognition of homoeopathy. It was all due to his relentless struggle & ceaseless persuasion that led to the opening of hundreds of Homoeopathic dispensaries an hospitals all over the Country, by central and state governments, municipal bodies, private trusts and individuals. He was instrumental in the opening of CGHS homoeopathic dispensaries by the Government when successfully treated Dr Sushila Nayar, the then Union Health Minister in early 1960s.

In recognition of his distinguished services in the field of Homoeopathy, the Government of India honoured him with the title of “Padma Shri” on April 10, 1969. He was the first and the only Homoeopathic physician to be so honoured. Besides Dr KG Saxena is also the recipient of “National Award in Homoeopathy (1987); Ashwani Kumar Award (1985); and President of Honour (1989) by Government of West Bengal.

Dr KG Saxena also holds the rare distinction of being the first Honorary physician to the President of India and enjoyed this privilege for 36 years, from 1950 to 1986. Over the years he treated the families of the Presidents, vice presidents, prime ministers and such eminent national leaders as Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr Zakir Hussain, Maulana Azad, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Mrs Indira Gandhi, Jai Prakash Narayan, Rajiv Gandhi, among many others.

During his long and distinguished services to the cause of Homoeopathy Dr KG Saxena served on many important national bodies, congresses and conferences. He presided over 18 National Homoeopathic Congresses and served as Secretary General of Indian Institute of Homoeopathic Physicians (IIHP) for over 35 years (1944-1962/1975-1992).

He served as Chairman of important national committees as:

• Homoeopathic Education Committee, Govt. of India
• Homoeopathic Research Committee, Govt. of India
• Rural Homoeopathic Medical Aid Committee
• Family Planning Committee
• Scientific Advisory Board, Central Council for Research in ISM & Homoeopathy
• Drugs Technical Advisory Board, DGAS

He also served as Secretary to the Homoeopathic Advisory Committee, Govt. of India between 1962 to 1971, Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Committee, Govt. of India from 1963-1971 and was the first Honorary Advisor in Homoeopathy to the Govt. of India from 1962-1971 and was a member of Central Council of Homoeopathy, Govt. of India between 1974-1992, Health Panel of the Planning Commission 1952-1970, Homoeopathic faculty of Agra and Kanpur Universities, Homoeopathic consultative Committee, Bihar University, Governing body of National Institute of Homoeopathy, Karnataka.

Dr KG Saxena was a special invitee of the International Homoeo Medical League at the International Homoeopathy Congress in London (1965), Athens (1969) and Washington (1987). He served as Joint National Vice President for India of the International Homoeo Medical League, Paris.

He held the position of Editor of “The Rational Medicine”, a scientific and official journal of IIHP and authored “Struggle for Homoeopathy in India” which was released by Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then President of India in 1993. He was instrumental in getting the statue of Father of Homoeopathy, Dr Samuel Hahnemann, installed in New Delhi by Government of Delhi. He was also the president of Honour of the IIHP.

Excerpts from Homoeopathic Advisory Committee Report

• Recommendations of 12 different developmental Schemes

1. Establishment of Homoeopathic dispensaries.
2. The opening of homoeopathic departments in Govt. Hospitals.
3. Mobile homoeopathic clinics for the rural areas of Delhi.
4. Establishment of the homoeopathic department in Tihar Jail.
5. The opening of a homoeopathic department in the Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences.
6. Homoeopathic clinics under the School Health Schemes.
7. Development of the homoeopathic research facilities.
8. Pharmacy college in Delhi.
9. The opening of Homoeopathic dispensaries under BESU, MTNL, DDA, DTC and ESI.
10. Establishment of separate Directorate of Homoeopathy under Govt of Delhi.
11. Formation of a cadre of homoeopathic doctors.
12. Support for non-governmental organizations.

• Proper functioning of Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College with upgradation of pay, recruitment of more staff.
• Setting up of homoeopathic dispensaries.
• Recognition of batch of Dr BR Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre.
• Proper functioning of Board of Homoeopathic System of Medicine.
• Implementation of homoeopathic drug control.
• Dispensaries opened during Dr Harshvardhan’s tenure: 14.

Master Healers of AYUSH

The Ministry of AYUSH is to bring out Commemorative Stamps as its humble homage of the nation to 12 Master Healers of AYUSH systems from the modern era, and its a matter of priviledged that Dr KG Saxena’s name is amongst these 12 Master Healers.

Biography Memoir

Dr Saurav Arora, MD

Dr. Saurav Arora is an internationally acclaimed medical homeopath, consultant, and independent researcher having 17+ years of experience as a clinician, researcher, and a teacher.