P. K . Sethi
Encyclopedia
Pramod Karan Sethi was an India
n orthopaedic surgeon. With Ram Chandra Sharma, he co-invented the "Jaipur foot
", an inexpensive and flexible artificial limb, in 1969.
He was awarded the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1981 and the Padma Shri
by the Government of India in 1981.
(then Benares), where his father Nihal Karan Sethi, himself a renowned scientist, was a physics professor at Benares Hindu University
. Sethi trained as a general surgeon at Agra
under G. N. Vyas. In 1958, he specialised in orthopaedics, when the Sawai Man Singh Hospital
in Jaipur where he worked needed an orthopaedics department because of a Medical Council of India
inspection. He later cited his lack of qualifications in orthopaedics as an advantage in developing the Jaipur foot. Much of his practice was in physiotherapy, including the rehabilitation of amputees
. He retired in 1981.
He was married to Sulochana, and the couple had a son and three daughters. Sethi died of cardiac arrest in Jaipur
, India
.
Jaipur foot
The Jaipur foot is made of rubber and wood and is probably the lowest cost prosthetic limb available in the world. The International Red Cross Committee has used it extensively in Afghanistan
and other places to help amputees. Several injured soldiers in the Kargil war
were benefited due to the Jaipur foot. Sethi was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for helping a large number of amputees in obtaining mobility again. The Indian dancer and actor Sudha Chandran
was one of his patients.
Ram Chandra Sharma, an illiterate craftsman, is the co-inventor of the foot. The original idea of the Jaipur foot is supposed to have come to him serendipitiously while he was riding a bicycle and had a flat tire.
by the Government of India
in 1981 and he also won a major Rotary International
award. He was elected a fellow of the British Royal College of Surgeons
.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n orthopaedic surgeon. With Ram Chandra Sharma, he co-invented the "Jaipur foot
Jaipur leg
The Jaipur Leg also known as the Jaipur Foot is a rubber-based prosthetic leg for people with below-knee amputations, produced under the guidance of Dr. P. K...
", an inexpensive and flexible artificial limb, in 1969.
He was awarded the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1981 and the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
by the Government of India in 1981.
Personal life and career
Sethi was born at VaranasiVaranasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
(then Benares), where his father Nihal Karan Sethi, himself a renowned scientist, was a physics professor at Benares Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is a public university located in Varanasi, India and is one of the Central Universities of India. It is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 24,000 students in its campus. BHU was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya under the Parliamentary...
. Sethi trained as a general surgeon at Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
under G. N. Vyas. In 1958, he specialised in orthopaedics, when the Sawai Man Singh Hospital
Sawai Man Singh Hospital
Sawai Man Singh Hospital is the major hospital of Jaipur and Rajasthan state of India. This government hospital is staffed with 255 doctors and 660 nurses with 1563 beds in 43 wards. The construction of hospital building began in 1934. The hospital is named after Sawai Man Singh II, then king of...
in Jaipur where he worked needed an orthopaedics department because of a Medical Council of India
Medical Council of India
The Medical Council of India was the statutory body for maintenance of uniform and high standards of medical education in India. The Council grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical colleges, grants registration to medical practitioners, and monitors medical...
inspection. He later cited his lack of qualifications in orthopaedics as an advantage in developing the Jaipur foot. Much of his practice was in physiotherapy, including the rehabilitation of amputees
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
. He retired in 1981.
He was married to Sulochana, and the couple had a son and three daughters. Sethi died of cardiac arrest in Jaipur
Jaipur
Jaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than 3.1 million....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Jaipur footJaipur legThe Jaipur Leg also known as the Jaipur Foot is a rubber-based prosthetic leg for people with below-knee amputations, produced under the guidance of Dr. P. K...
The Jaipur foot is made of rubber and wood and is probably the lowest cost prosthetic limb available in the world. The International Red Cross Committee has used it extensively in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and other places to help amputees. Several injured soldiers in the Kargil war
Kargil War
The Kargil War ,, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control...
were benefited due to the Jaipur foot. Sethi was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for helping a large number of amputees in obtaining mobility again. The Indian dancer and actor Sudha Chandran
Sudha Chandran
Sudha Chandran is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, Indian film and television actress, who turned to acting following the loss of a leg in an accident in May 1981 near Trichy, Tamil Nadu.-Early life and education:...
was one of his patients.
Ram Chandra Sharma, an illiterate craftsman, is the co-inventor of the foot. The original idea of the Jaipur foot is supposed to have come to him serendipitiously while he was riding a bicycle and had a flat tire.
Awards
Sethi was awarded the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1981, the Padma ShriPadma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
by the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
in 1981 and he also won a major Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
award. He was elected a fellow of the British Royal College of Surgeons
Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales...
.