Hardas Singh Sandhu (1932–2022)
With extreme grief, we are penning down the obituary of a teacher of teachers. Prof. Hardas Singh Sandhu was known to be a very simple and gem of a person, with all the finest qualities of head and heart. We knew him for many decades. The light went off, forever, at 7.00 a.m. on January 17, 2022, leaving behind his wife, two daughters, and two sons.
Dr. Singh was a pioneer along with Prof. N.D. Agarwal in starting the Orthopaedic Department at the Govt. Medical College, Patiala, in 1961. He was extremely popular among the whole orthopedic fraternity.
Many of us have learnt the basics of orthopedics (Art and Science of Orthopedics) from Dr. Singh. He was truly an expert in all types of orthopedic surgeries and a great teacher and made everyone learn almost everything that he knew.
He was born on January 14, 1932, in the village Dohak, tehsil Faridkot, in the then district Bhatinda. His name “Har + das” personified his simplicity. He remained Professor and Head at Govt. Medical College, Amritsar for almost 20 years, before his retirement on January 14, 1990. Later, he built his own orthopedic center at Amritsar. He was the pioneer in starting Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in Orthopedics at his private set-up and more than 100 DNBs qualified under his stewardship. He never hesitated in calling a spade a spade. Work was worship for him. Until his last days, he was busy seeing patients.
He was a member of the Credential Committees of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India). His biggest quality was his truthfulness and sincerity in all walks of life, be it social or academic. He could talk on any subject. Sikh History and politics were his favorites. He received many awards to his credit. He was a recipient of the Eminent Orthosurgeon award of Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, India.
He believed in imparting rationale and need-based treatment to all patients. He had a research-oriented mind and his classification of neglected neck of femur fracture is very popular and useful in clinical practice. His work on classification on old fracture neck of femur and polarization role of triceps in producing cubits varus deformity are well known. Today, the orthopedic treatment in Punjab is all due to Prof. Hardas Singh Sandhu and his mentor Prof. Karam Singh Grewal. His absence will be felt in Indian orthopedic world forever. May the departed soul rest in peace.
