P. S. Ramani

Premanand Shantaram Ramani (born 30 November 1938) is an Indian neurosurgeon and writer from the state of Goa. He is known for his work in Newcastle and his neurospinal surgery technique of "PLIF". He is currently the senior neurospinal surgeon at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai.[1] An annual marathon is held in his honour in Goa. It is titled "Dr P S Ramani Goa Marathon".[2][3]

Dr P.S. Ramani
Dr. Ramani in 2018
Born
Premanand Shantaram Ramani

(1938-11-30) 30 November 1938
Wadi Talaulim, Portuguese India
Alma materNewcastle University Medical School
Occupation
  • Neurospinal surgeon
  • writer
Known forPLIF Ramani Technique
Dr Ramani Goa Marathon
Spouse(s)Pratima Ramani
Children
  • Anup
  • Anjali
Parents
  • Shantaram Ramani (father)
  • Ahilyabai Ramani (mother)
Awards
  • David Dickson Research Man of the Year Award, Newcastle University
  • Paul Bucy Award, Chicago University
  • Walter Dandy Neurosurgical Society's Dandy Medal, United States
  • All India Saraswat Bhushan Award
Websitedrramani.com

Early life

Ramani was born on 30 November 1938 to Ahilyabai and Shantaram, a forest officer, in the village of Wadi Talaulim in Goa. He was the fifth of six siblings (three boys and three girls). The siblings were mainly brought up by their mother, as their father was often away due to the nature of his work. Since a young age, Ramani loved to read. He completed his Primeiro Grau (transl. First Grade) and Segundo Grau (transl. Second Grade) in the Portuguese medium. Since the family belonged to the lower economic background, he would walk to and from his school, the English medium AJ de Almeida High School in Ponda, every day. Working hard, he stood first in school and second in the state. He scored nearly a 100% in mathematics, at both the SSC examination of 1958. At the inter science examination of 1960, he secured a Distinction and won the Ambedkar Gold Medal.[4] Following this, he was awarded a scholarship to Siddharth College, Bombay University. The headmaster recognised his talent and gave him permission to use a special room in the library; an honour that was only granted to one other student: Test cricketer Ramakant Desai. Scoring top marks in Biology, he decided to become a doctor and joined Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Hospital, after being briefly convinced by its Dean, Mr. Monteiro, a Goan (he had initially opted for KEM Hospital). There, he specialised in neurosurgery, after a growing fascination for the spine.[5] After completing his MBBS in 1965, he completed his MS at Nair Hospital in 1968.[6]

Career

Soon after completing his MS in Mumbai, Ramani turned down an offer to become the Dean and moved to Malmö, Sweden, to study Intracranial pressure monitoring in 1972. Shortly after, he moved to Newcastle upon Tyne, England, to complete his advanced studies in neurosurgery, leaving behind an offer to become the Dean. There, he became known for his successful treatment of the citizens of Newcastle, where many people suffered from back and spinal issues due to coal mining. He thus completed his doctorate from the Newcastle University Medical School, specializing in neurosurgery, in 1973. He was appointed on the Specialty Board of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Despite his success abroad, he came back to India.[5][4]

In 1973–1974, he was posted to Goa Medical College, where he again gained credit for his work, this time in his home state. After a few months, he moved to Mumbai, where he still resides.[4]

In the medical fraternity, Ramani is well known for his innovations and techniques in neurosurgery. One of these is his technique of disc removal, called the "PLIF Ramani Technique".[1] Devised in 1973, Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fission is a technique used extensively today to correct spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.[7]

He retired as the Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at LTM Medical College and Hospital, Bombay University (after completing more than two thousand brain operations per year), and as an Oncological Neuro-Spinal Surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. He has been the president of the Association of Neuro-Spinal Surgeons of India and the former president of the Neuro-trauma Society of India.[8][9]

Currently, he is a practising neurosurgeon, and the senior neurospinal surgeon at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai.[1] He was involved in the spinal surgery of Sarika, ex-wife of award-winning actor and director Kamal Haasan, in 2001.[10] He has even treated the Goan playwright, poet and politician Vishnu Wagh in 2016.[11] Some of his other patients include Baba Amte, C. R. Vyas and Ramdev Baba's brother.[5]

Books

Textbooks
  • Ramani, P.S., ed. (2019). Human Spine and Pedicle Screws.
  • Ramani, P.S., ed. (2012). WFNS Spine Committee: Text book of Surgical Management of Cervical Disc Herniation. JP Medical Ltd. ISBN 9789350255674.
  • Ramani, P.S., ed. (2015). WFNS Spine Committee: Text book on Thoracic Spine. JP Medical Ltd. ISBN 9789352500079.
  • Ramani, P.S. (2010). Surgical techniques in Spinal Surgery – Cervical Spine. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. ISBN 9788184487824.
  • Ramani, P.S. A Brief History of Neuro Surgery.
  • Ramani, P.S.; Sharma, Alok. A Brief History of Spinal Surgery.
  • Ramani, P.S. Backache and Sciatica.
  • Ramani, P.S. Anterior approaches to Thoracic & Lumbar Spine.
  • Ramani, P.S. Textbook of Spinal Surgery (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2).
  • Ramani, P.S.; Sharma, Alok. Modern Trends in the Management of Neuro Trauma.
  • Ramani, P.S. Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fission. Associated Personnel Services Publication.
  • Ramani, P.S. Textbook of Cervical Spondolysis. Associated Personnel Services Publication.
  • Ramani, P.S. Basic Concepts in the Management of Head Injuries. Associated Personnel Services Publication.

Other works
  • Ramani, P.S. (2005). Taath Kana (in Marathi). Granthali. (Autobiography)
  • Ramani, P.S. Standing Tall. (Autobiography - translated)
  • Ramani, P.S. How To Take Care Of Your Back. UBS Publishers' Distributors Pvt. Limited. ISBN 9788174761231.
  • Ramani, P.S. Stop Worrying About Backache.
  • Ramani, P.S. Pain in your Neck.
  • Ramani, P.S. Life of Purpose.
  • Ramani, P.S. Backpain and Sciatica : Your guide to prolapsed disc (slipped disc).
  • Ramani, P.S. Walk, Jog, Run. (Translated from Marathi)
  • Ramani, P.S. Chala, Pala, Dhava (in Marathi). (Original in Marathi)
  • Ramani, P.S. How to be effective in Life. (Translated from Marathi)
  • Ramani, P.S. Tanavmukta Jeevan (in Marathi). (Original in Marathi)
  • Ramani, P.S. Take care of your Back. (Translated from Marathi)
  • Ramani, P.S. Tumcha pathichi kalji ghya (in Marathi). (Original in Marathi)
  • Ramani, P.S. Casebook (in Marathi).
  • Ramani, P.S. Path dukhila bhiu naka (in Marathi).
  • Ramani, P.S. Balkanchya menducha kshayarog ani Jalashirsh (in Marathi).
  • Ramani, P.S. Nate manuskichem (in Marathi).
  • Ramani, P.S. Menduchi Olakh (in Marathi).
  • Ramani, P.S. Nehmichya Shastrakriya (in Marathi).
  • Ramani, P.S. Sattariche Bol (in Marathi).
  • Ramani, P.S. Jeevan ani Swasthya (in Marathi).


Personal life

Daily life

Dr Ramani's daily routine begins by waking up at 4:30 a.m. and then meditating for 15 minutes. After a jog, he has breakfast and is ready to operate on patients by 8 a.m. at Lilavati Hospital. His consultancy then begins at 4 p.m. and goes on till 9:30 p.m. everyday.[4]

Family

Ramani is married to a sociologist, Pratima. They got married about a week before Ramani's move to Newcastle. Together, they have two children. Their elder son Anoop is a laparoscopic urological surgeon who works actively in cases involving cancer of the kidney and prostate. For his work in the US, he was designated as the Director of Laproscopic Urological Surgery there. Ramani's younger daughter, Anjali, is a graduate of Sir J.J. School of Art and is currently working as a creative director. Till about 2006, he lived in Parsi Colony, Mumbai, following which he moved to Mahim.[5][4]

Philanthropy

With an urge to do something for the people of his village, Ramani demolished his ancestral house, which was built in 1926, and built a one one-storey building, equipped with a library of 10,000 books, rooms that have 2,000 toys, a children's play garden, and a hall big enough for 200 people. He even built a modern gymnasium on this property, and offered all these facilities to the public, either for free or for a nominal fee. He even helped develop a sports complex on communidade land.[4]

Ramani sponsors a cricket tournament and is actively involved in the "Dr Ramani Goa Marathon", organized by the Ahilyabai Ramani Pratishtan, an organisation founded by him in his mother's memory. He even participates in it.[2] This event attracts people from all over the world.[12] Ramani uses this opportunity to encourage youngsters to remain active and teaches them the importance of exercise, no matter the age.[13][14]

Awards and accolades
Road sign to Dr PS Ramani Road in Wadi

For his work in Newcastle, Dr Ramani was awarded the 1973 David Dickson Research Man of the Year award in England. He was the first Asian to win the Paul Bucy Award from the University of Chicago. In 2011, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the British Association of Spinal Surgeons, and Hungary issued a postage stamp to honour him.[7][15] Soon after, a hospital in Cirebon, Indonesia named an operation theatre block after him. Closer home, the people of his village rewarded his philanthropy by naming a village road after him.[4] His birthday, 30 November, is celebrated as Neuro Spinal Day in India. In 2018, he was awarded the Walter Dandy Neurosurgical Society's Dandy Medal in United States. He was chosen for the Gomant Vibhushan Award[16] and the Saraswat Ratna Award[17] in 2019. Dr Ramani was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day function of the Government of Goa on 26 January 2020.[18]

References
  1. Anand, V. (12 August 2018). "Ramani, the good doctor who runs for health". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  2. Mergulhao, Marcus (6 November 2017). "Nyawira triumphs in Dr Ramani Goa Marathon with plenty to spare". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  3. "Dr Ramani Goa marathon promo run held at Margao". The Goan. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  4. Mergulhao, Marcus (20 September 2015). "At 78, he's still the backbone of his chosen field". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  5. Naik, Vinayak (January 2012). "I always carry my jogging shoes wherever I travel". Goa Today.
  6. D'Souza, Joel (January 2012). "Doyen of Neuro-Spinal Surgery". Goa Today.
  7. Vora, Priyanka (27 March 2011). "What's a Mumbai doc doing on a Hungarian stamp?". Mid-Day. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  8. "Guest lecture by Mumbai neurosurgeon". The Tribune, Chandigarh, India. 18 September 2003. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  9. "History – Neurotrauma Society Of India". ntsi.co.in. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  10. Fernandes, Vivek (14 June 2001). "Movies: She came on a stretcher, she will walk home". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  11. "Vishnu Wagh on road to recovery, says wife Aruna". The Times of India. 1 October 2016.
  12. "Dr Ramani Goa Marathon in Ponda ends in sprint". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  13. Satarkar, Sadanand (1 October 2013). "हे जीवन... सुंदर आहे..." [This Life... is Beautiful...]. Tarun Bharat (in Marathi). Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  14. "व्यायाम हा धर्म व्हायला हवा!" [Exercise should be Religion]. Lokmat (in Marathi). 29 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  15. "Dr Ramani honoured with Hungarian postal stamp". oHeraldo. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  16. "Gomant Vibhushan for Premanand Ramani". The Times of India. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  17. "डॉ. रामाणी यांना सारस्वत रत्न पुरस्कार" [Dr. Ramani Awarded Saraswat Award]. Lokmat (in Marathi). 23 July 2019.
  18. "Cultural awards presentation". oHeraldo. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
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