India Commemorates Sushruta Jayanti, Honoring Sushruta’s Legacy as the ‘Father of Surgery’
Photo: PIB
It’s hard to imagine that an ancient physician who lived in India over 2,000 years ago was doing surgery on human beings and authored one of the world’s oldest medical textbooks. The Sushruta Samhita is known for being one of the oldest thorough accounts of rhinoplasty (nose reconstruction), which eventually inspired modern plastic surgery.
The physician was Acharya Sushruta (also spelled Shushrutha or Suśruta), an ancient Indian surgeon widely regarded as the “Father of Surgery.”
India commemorated Sushruta Jayanti on Wednesday (July 15, 2026). On the occasion, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated “Saushrutam 2026” and the MRI section of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA).
Paying tribute to Acharya Sushruta, the President said his pioneering work in surgery centuries ago was nothing short of revolutionary for its time. Addressing the gathering, she also extended her greetings to everyone associated with Ayurveda on the birth anniversary of Acharya Sushruta.
According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release, the President described Acharya Sushruta as a pioneer of numerous complex and innovative surgical procedures. She said he introduced new techniques in fields such as plastic surgery, cataract surgery, tumour treatment and ENT surgery. She added that the Sushruta Samhita provided a new direction not only to the Indian subcontinent but also to the wider world.
The President said carrying forward the knowledge embedded in India’s traditions while adapting it to changing times would benefit society. She described Ayurveda’s holistic vision of life as a boon to humanity and stressed the need to keep this ancient wisdom relevant and effective in the modern era.
She said the Government of India has helped bring Ayurveda and Yoga to the global stage with renewed vigour. She also noted that efforts are underway to validate the ancient tradition of surgery through scientific research and evidence. According to the President, standardized documentation, digital health integration and modern scientific research techniques will strengthen the global acceptance of Ayurveda.
Addressing young students and researchers beginning their professional journeys, the President said the future of Ayurveda rests in their hands. She encouraged them to pursue practical research and generate high-quality evidence guided by curiosity, integrity and a scientific temper.
She also urged them to embrace new technologies wherever appropriate and follow the path shown by Acharya Sushruta by remaining committed to medical ethics and compassionate patient care.
The President expressed confidence that deliberations at “Saushrutam 2026” would generate new knowledge and further strengthen international cooperation in the field of Ayurvedic surgery. She said such initiatives would enhance Ayurveda’s contribution to holistic healthcare.
The three-day international seminar, hosted by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), is bringing together eminent surgeons, academicians and researchers from India and several other countries.
