From Varanasi to Edinburgh: India’s ‘Father of Surgery’ Honoured at World’s Oldest Surgical Institution

In a moment that bridges centuries of medical knowledge, a bronze statue of Maharishi Sushruta, revered as the Father of Surgery, has been unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Scotland.Announced by the Consulate General of India in Scotland, the installation celebrates India’s rich medical heritage and highlights the historical ties between India and Scotland in the fields of medicine and surgery. The ceremony brought together distinguished surgeons, academics, medical professionals and dignitaries from both countries. The event also underscored the Royal College’s contribution to surgical education and training across the globe.A Vision Realised by an Indian-Origin SurgeonAccording to a report in News18, the initiative behind the statue came from Professor Chandra Cheruvu, a UK-based surgeon of Indian origin and a specialist in laparoscopic and upper gastrointestinal surgery at the University Hospital North Midlands.The sculpture was donated by the Cheruvu Family Foundation, established by Professor Cheruvu and his family. Crafted by an artist from Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu, the bronze statue now stands at one of the world’s most prestigious surgical institutions. The Consulate General of India expressed gratitude to Professor Cheruvu and the Royal College of Surgeons for making the initiative possible, describing it as a fitting tribute to India’s ancient scientific legacy.Who Was Maharishi Sushruta?Long before the advent of modern medicine, Maharishi Sushruta was laying the foundations of surgery. Believed to have lived around 600 BCE and traditionally associated with the ancient city of Varanasi, Maharishi Sushruta authored the Sushruta Samhita, one of the most important texts in the history of medicine.The ancient Sanskrit treatise contains detailed descriptions of surgical procedures, medical instruments and techniques. Historians and medical scholars often regard his work as centuries ahead of its time. Many surgical instruments described in the text were inspired by shapes found in nature and the animal world.A Symbolic Home at a Historic InstitutionThe unveiling gains added significance because it took place at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, considered the world’s oldest surgical institution.Founded in 1505 and granted royal assent by King James IV of Scotland in 1506, the institution has preserved records dating back to 1581. Today, it remains one of the leading centres for surgical education and training worldwide.The presence of Maharishi Sushruta’s statue at this historic venue symbolizes a meeting of ancient wisdom and modern science.Celebrating a Shared LegacyThe installation is more than a tribute to a legendary physician. It is a recognition of the timeless value of knowledge and the enduring contributions of Indian civilisation to global medicine. More than 2,600 years after he practised in ancient India, Maharishi Sushruta’s legacy now stands immortalised in Scotland, inspiring generations of surgeons across the world.

Reviving a Lost Beauty: York Groundsel Flower Returns from Extinction After 30 Years

A flower that was thought to be extinct for over 30 years has been brought back to life in the UK. The York groundsel, a small plant that was only found in the city of York, was declared extinct in the wild in 1986. However, a team of botanists from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh have successfully grown a new population of the flower, marking the first-ever de-extinction of a British plant. The team used seeds from the last remaining York groundsel plant, which were stored in the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Gardens. The seeds were then germinated and grown in a greenhouse before being transplanted to a nature reserve in North Yorkshire. The successful revival of the York groundsel is an important step towards conserving and protecting endangered plant species. It also highlights the potential of seed banks as a tool for conservation, as they allow scientists to preserve plant species that are at risk of extinction. The botanists hope that the new population of York groundsels will thrive in their new home and help to restore the plant's natural habitat. This achievement is a beacon of hope for the future of biodiversity and conservation efforts and shows how science and technology can be used for the greater good of the planet.