The awards celebrate contributions in various fields such as art, culture, and medicine, among others
AMN / New Delhi
Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and renowned senior cardiologist and physician received the Art Karat Award for Excellence 2019 for his exemplary contribution to the field of medicine. Held on 23rd February 2019, the awards salute and honor those who have contributed for the society, art, and culture in various capacities. The High Commissioner of Canada in India, His Excellency, Mr Nadir Patel, was the chief guest for the evening. The award was given by Padma Shri Awardee Geeta Chandran.
Art Karat is one of India’s oldest and most renowned designer jewellery houses and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Other awardees included vocalists Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, journalist Mr Sunit Tandon, boxer Ms Mary Kom, among others. Eminent vocalist Shri Jayateerth Mevundi (Gayaki style of Gururaj Pt Bhimsen Joshi) gave a mesmerizing vocal recital.
Speaking about this, Dr KK Aggarwal, said, “I am very happy to receive this award and thank Art Karat for acknowledging my efforts in my field of work. Everyone must remember ‘Heart’ has ‘art’ in it and if you are in the field of ‘art’ you will not get heart disease.
I have often been asked why I always wear a stethoscope. Wearing a stethoscope is a constant reminder of my medical ‘dharma’ or purpose which is to abide by the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence always, and to be available to my patients always. This is why we choose to become doctors – to treat our patients, alleviate their sufferings and try to save their lives to the best of our capabilities. Each award encourages me to work harder and achieve more than what has been accomplished in all spheres of life.”
Dr K K Aggarwal is also a revered and pioneering Educator, Social Worker, Spiritual Writer, and Motivational Speaker. For his excellence and distinguished service in the field of medicine, Dr Aggarwal has also been the recipient of several other prestigious awards and accolades in his career spanning three decades including four National Awards: Padma Shri (2010), Dr BC Roy National Award (2005), Vishwa Hindi Samman (2015), and National Science Communication Award (2015).
Dr Aggarwal started the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund as part of the HCFI with the goal of ensuring that no individual with heart disease dies due to lack of treatment. He has been instrumental in helping over 1000 patients with treatment and over 300 for free heart surgeries. In addition, he has also conceptualized and organized unique consumer-driven health awareness platforms annually such as The Perfect Health Mela and the Run for Your Heart event. They are among the most visited, widely covered, and celebrated community health events in the country.