The former Director/Principal of the Christian Medical College, Vellore, Dr. Benjamin Pulimood (75), who passed away in Vellore last Saturday, was a dedicated physician and great teacher, friends and relatives recalled.
The former Supreme Court judge, K.T. Thomas (who is Dr. Benjamin's co-brother-in-law), said Dr. Benjamin was friendly to his patients, a great healer and a humane person who excelled in the true spirit of compassion.
He passed out of the Trivandrum Medical College in 1957 and joined the Christian Medical College, Vellore, which was the premier medical institution in those times.
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He was a keen sportsman who had played as a goalkeeper in the Santosh Trophy representing the State.
He went to England and got MRCP in 1962 from Edinburgh and later FRCP in 1973.
All along he was at the CMC, where he was a Professor from 1969 to 1995. He was Principal during 1981 to 1987 and was Director from 1987 to 1994. He returned as a Professor declining an extension and had the satisfaction of seeing his junior becoming the Director.
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“No patient had ever complained regarding Dr. Benjamin's treatment,” noted Mr. Thomas. He held aloft the highest principles in practising medicine and declined favours from patients whom he treated compassionately, recalled Mr. Thomas.
He was the president of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology, and also served as the Chairman of the Karigiri Hospital Governing Council.
The doctor represented the Marthoma Church in the World Council of Churches at Nairobi, and is the recipient of the Manava Seva award of the Marthoma Church.
Noted gastroenterologist Dr. Philip Augustine of the Lakeshore Hospital here described Dr. Benjamin as a “pioneer in gastroenterology” who practised clinical medicine with great expertise.
The funeral would be held at the Salem Marthoma Church cemetery here on Wednesday, close family sources said.
Dr. Benjamin is survived by his wife Dr. Ramani, a daughter and two sons.