To Sir with Love Dr. Mahabaleswara Maiya

गुरूर्ब्रह्मा गुरूर्विष्णुः गुरूर्देवो महेश्वरः । गुरूर्साक्षात परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ।। The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere. There is darkness within me. I do not know how to say it, but Dr. Maiya is no more. We will never see him again as we have seen for these many years. We can’t run to him for advice; we can’t seek solace from him in times of need. The light that shone was no ordinary light. It was jyothi and represented the living, guiding us to the right path, drawing us away from darkness and ignorance. असतो मा सद्गमय । तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय । With his demise on the fateful day of June 15, 2025, the world of physicians has lost one of its most gentle and most beloved sons of Bharat, known for his honesty, sincerity, compassion, empathy, integrity, and simplicity. He was soft spoken but had a powerful vocabulary and maintained highest personal and work ethics. He was handsome and good looking even at the advanced age, walking erect with an infectious smile. His aura and charisma were unique and unmatched. Dr. M. Maiya was born on November 11, 1933, in Parampalli, near Kota, Kundapura, in the South Kanara district. He did his schooling in his hometown, higher education at National High School, Bangalore, where he came under the influence of freedom fighter and educationist, Dr. H. Narasimhaiah. He did his MBBS from Mysore Medical College along with his cousin, Dr. H. S. Hande, graduating in 1957, FRCP from London, Glasgow and Edinburgh. On his return to India in 1964, he joined as teaching faculty at Karnataka Medical College, Hubli, and worked in all 4 Government Medical Colleges of Karnataka before relinquishing his Government job after 20 long years of teaching. Along with Prof. H. S. Hande, another doyen of medical profession his epic work on fluorosis in Gadag district of North Karnataka is recognized till date. Because of frequent transfers and nonavailability of posts in Bangalore and Mysore medical college, he finally quit government service and started his practice. Dr. M. Maiya was instrumental in starting the API Bhavan along with Dr. K. S. S Appa, known as Bhishma Pitamaha of API Karnataka chapter. This happens to be the first of its kind in the country. He was also responsible for starting the Medical Education and Research Trust which is imparting quality medical training to MD students of Karnataka and neighboring states since past 40 odd years. His lecture classes used to be informative, and clinics were interactive sessions without being intimidatory. However, he would not tolerate indiscipline and casual approach and would reprimand the concerned student. The term “वज्रादपि कठोराणि मृदूनि कुसुमादपि” is apt to describe Dr. Maiya. With his passing away, जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च। तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि।। Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2(सांख्ययोग), Verse 27. For one who is born, death is certain For one who has died, birth is certain Emphasising the cyclical nature of life and death Highlighting both are inevitable and unavoidable वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि | तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही || नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावक: | न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुत: | Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2(सांख्ययोग), Verse 22, 23. This is the key concept in Hinduism emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and immortality of soul. When I think of Dr. Maiya, I also think of Dr. Hande. Dr. Maiya was my mentor and teacher. Dr. Hande was my unit head, when he took charge as HOD till his retirement as Principal, Bangalore Medical College. They are like Hari and Hara to me. Dr Hande was essentially a Viragi; he shunned laurels, accolades, rewards, renown, and fame like Lord Shiva. Dr. Maiya, Hari-all these things came naturally to him and he accepted them with equanimity, neither elated nor upset. He was a Sthithaprajna, the eternal. दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्न‍मनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः । वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थिधीर्मुनिरुच्यते ॥ Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2(सांख्ययोग), Verse 56. In his absence, we are orphaned, API Bhavan seems empty, and there is silence in our soul. Life will not be the same again. You have to live with grief, you will live with memories. Grief is a storm, it is made up of memories, love, sorrow, tears, triumphs, victories, defeats, highs, and lows, it never really passes; we must learn to live with it. Life is not about being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect; it is about being real, being humble, being kind and being simple like Dr. Maiya. ध्यानमूलं गुरुर्मूर्तिः पूजामूलं गुरुर्पदम् । मन्त्रमूलं गुरुर्वाक्यं मोक्षमूलं गुरूर्कृपा ॥ Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives Sublime and Departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time Footprints that perhaps another Sailing over life’s solemn main A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing shall take heart again Psalm of life, H. W. Longfellow. The likes of Dr. Maiya are rare to find in this chaotic world of ordinary mortals. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.