She sold fruits to fund her education, then became a cancer-care pioneer: The remarkable journey of Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane

Some of the most remarkable medical journeys begin far from hospitals and operating rooms. For Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane, the path to becoming a pioneering surgical oncologist began after school, helping her mother sell fruits and vegetables to support their struggling family. She faced financial hardship, a language barrier and even academic failure, moments that nearly forced her to abandon her dream of becoming a doctor. Yet she returned, persevered and eventually broke barriers in surgical oncology. From a modest childhood in Karnataka to becoming a respected cancer specialist and Padma Shri awardee, Deshmane’s life is a powerful story of resilience, courage and service.

A childhood shaped by sacrifice

Born in 1955, Deshmane grew up in a financially struggling family. Her father, Baburao Deshmane, worked as a labourer and was also a freedom fighter, while her mother, Ratnamma, sold fruits and vegetables. The family had eight children, but her parents were determined that poverty would not decide their futures.Deshmane attended school in Kannada medium and would help her mother sell vegetables before and after classes. Her father, she recalled, had encouraged her to become a surgeon from a young age. When she entered medical college, however, the financial strain became even greater. Her mother reportedly sold her mangalsutra to help pay her daughter’s medical fees.

The failure that almost made her give up

Her path to becoming a doctor was not smooth. During medical school, Deshmane struggled with English and at one point failed physiology. She was so discouraged that she packed her bags and decided to return home.

It was her younger sister who helped change her mind. Her sister reminded her that she too had experienced failure as a child but had not given up. Deshmane returned to college and eventually completed her MBBS from Karnataka Medical College in Hubballi. She went on to complete an MS in General Surgery from Government Medical College, Bellary, becoming the first woman to do so at the institution. She later trained in surgical oncology, including at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.

“Give me surgery”

For a woman entering surgery at the time, simply getting the opportunity was another battle. During her medical career, Deshmane recalled being questioned about what surgeries a woman could perform. At one point, she was offered gynaecology because it was considered more suitable for women.Her response was simple: “Give me surgery.” She eventually joined Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru as a resident doctor. In 1994, she became the institute’s first woman professor. She later served as professor and head of the Department of Surgical Oncology and also as director-in-charge of the institute.

Turning personal loss into a mission

Breast cancer became a major focus of her work. She led global breast-cancer research projects and worked on improving surgical and treatment practices. Her connection to cancer was also deeply personal. Her mother and one of her sisters later died of cancer, experiences that strengthened her commitment to cancer awareness, early detection and research.

Over roughly three decades at Kidwai, Deshmane also trained generations of doctors and worked to make cancer treatment more accessible. Her contributions included research into breast cancer and efforts to strengthen surgical-oncology education.

Retirement was not the end

Deshmane retired from surgical practice in 2015, but medicine and service remained central to her life. She continued working on cancer awareness and social initiatives and served as president of Abalashrama, an organisation supporting orphaned girls in Bengaluru. She also served in leadership roles connected with institutions including the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. In 2025, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri for her contribution to oncology and breast-cancer research.The woman who once stood beside her mother selling vegetables eventually stood in an operating theatre as a surgeon, then in the corridors of one of Bengaluru’s leading cancer institutes as its first woman professor. Her story is not simply one of overcoming poverty. It is also a story about what can happen when a childhood shaped by sacrifice becomes the reason someone spends a lifetime making the road easier for others.