The Government of India has honoured Dr. Manohar Krishana Dole, a veteran Ayurvedic physician and visionary healthcare philanthropist from Maharashtra, with the Padma Shri for his exceptional contributions to Medicine, particularly in the field of free rural eye care.
Born in 1928, Dr. Dole dedicated his life to providing accessible healthcare to underserved communities. After completing his Ayurvedic studies, he moved to Narayangaon, a small town near Pune, where he recognized the severe lack of eye care facilities, especially for the tribal and rural poor. Moved by this gap, he founded the Mohan Thuse Eye Hospital & Research Institute in 1982.
Though not a surgeon himself, Dr. Dole assembled a network of volunteer ophthalmologists and organized free eye camps in remote areas. His team conducted over 1.5 lakh free eye surgeries, especially for cataract patients, restoring vision and dignity to countless individuals who could not afford medical treatment.
Under his leadership, the institute also established one of the region’s first eye banks and blood banks, and began training rural healthcare workers and young doctors through cataract fellowships. His model emphasized community service, sustainability, and inclusivity—providing not just surgeries, but also food, lodging, and post-operative care to patients.
Until his passing in December 2024 at the age of 97, Dr. Dole remained an active force in the organization. His legacy lives on through his family and the institution he built, which continues to serve thousands annually.
Upon receiving the Padma Shri posthumously, tributes poured in from across the country. His work has been described as a “visionary blend of traditional medicine, rural outreach, and compassionate service.”
Dr. Manohar Krishana Dole’s Padma Shri award stands as a testament to his life’s mission: restoring sight, spreading hope, and transforming lives—one patient at a time.
