TRIBUTES TO Dr A.GURURAJ KUMAR

Sir is  a great teacher and a dedicated microbiologist. His proactive steps helped to develop the departments in SV Medical College and SVIMS.  His work on Stem cells at SVIMS is so exciting and a milestone.  I had many personal interactions with him that inspired me a lot and helped me to refine my work.  Under the guidance of Dr. Gururaj Kumar and Dr. Kailasanatha Reddy sir, we  worked to conduct  the  State Conference at Tirupati in 2010.   It was a wonderful learning experience. One of his favorite books is "Microbe Hunters' by Paul De Kruif.   He had an amazing memory and great command on subject and I can say, he is a walking encyclopedia of Medical Microbiology. He is so much respected by all faculty from all other departments too....that is a respect that was earned with a committed work, dedication and devotion to the institute he is working. He used to encourage all his juniors. I was very fortunate to start my career at Tirupati as a faculty under the headship of Dr. Kailasanatha Reddy and at the same time I was also fortunate to have all the needed guidance from Dr. Gururaj Kumar, who retired from S.V.Medical College and Joined in SVIMS as Head. It was a wonderful team   in a divine place,  for  more than 7 years I worked there. I always remember, that when Gururaj kumar sir was taking  up any topic for discussion in any seminar or CME or guest talk in SVIMS, all used to pay keen attention to every single word  that came from his mouth.. when in work, many times he used to skip  his lunch despite his old age, and yet very active at the end of the day than most of the youngsters like me at that time. He was so meticulous in his work, paying keen attention to all the details of the things at hand.  I always feel, I am a student for ever, before people like him. People  like him always make me feel, how much I have to know just to realize, how little I knew before.- Dr. D.S.Murty