As Dr. H. V. Hande enters his 99th year, Chennai celebrates a life that has been nothing short of extraordinary. For more than seven decades, he has been a doctor, healer, teacher, statesman, and writer.

Born on 28 November 1927, Dr. Hande started practising in 1950 and opened his clinic in Shenoy Nagar. Patients still remember his early consultations for ₹1, but more than that, they remember his smiling face, gentle words, and the healing touch of a kind doctor. Well into his 90s, he continues attending to patients, showing that medicine for him was not a profession but a lifelong healing.

Over 75 Years of Dedicated Medical Service

With over 75 years of active clinical practice, Dr. Hande is among the longest-serving physicians in the country. His legacy lives on in the Hande Hospital, which he started in 1984, but his life’s legacy has been written in the steadfast trust, comfort, and care accorded to hundreds of families.

In today’s era, with all the rush and impersonal touches that often characterize healthcare, his approach seems almost timeless: steeped in empathy, patience, and genuine concern.

Dr. Hande also stepped into public life starting in 1964 and later served as the Health Minister of Tamil Nadu (1980–1986) in MGR’s Cabinet. His tenure focused on strengthening public health systems, leprosy eradication efforts, and early HIV awareness.

During this period, Dr. Hande also played a pivotal role in India’s polio vaccination effort. He was a key figure in the collaboration with the Rotary Club and the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, which led to the development of an effective mass vaccination model. His leadership helped set the foundation for large-scale community immunisation drives that would later contribute to India’s success in combating polio.

As Health Minister, Dr. Hande brought Tamil Nadu into the first rank continuously for five years, for which he received the prestigious Dr. B. C. Roy Award — an honour no other Health Minister has received so far.

The Author & Translator Who Brought Epics and History to Life

Besides medicine and governance, Dr. Hande is cherished as an author whose works reveal the intellectual depth and cultural passion of this multifaceted personality.

His works include the English translation of “Kamba Ramayanam,” which introduced this Tamil epic to a global audience. The writing is replete with clarity, reverence, and scholarship — a rare combination that appeals across generations.

His other published works include:

• Ambedkar & the Making of the Indian Constitution
• Dr. Ambedkar and His Significance Today
• The Critical Years of an Immortal Legend: MGR
• The Story of the Constitution of India and How It Was Mutilated in 1975/76 During the Emergency

These books reflect his range from spiritual literature to constitutional history and his lifelong dedication to education and public understanding.

A Life That Illuminates

The life of Dr. H. V. Hande reminds us that true greatness is quiet, steady, and deeply human. At 99, he stands tall as a symbol of purpose, humility, and grace — someone who has healed, served, written, and inspired without seeking the spotlight or applause.

As we honor Dr. Hande on this milestone, we celebrate not just the years but the compassion, strength, and wisdom he has shared with the world. Here’s to Dr. H. V. Hande — doctor, leader, author, and cherished guiding light.

May his journey be long, peaceful, and joyous, adorned by the respect and admiration of everyone whose life he has touched.