Born in Azamgarh on 3rd January, 1956, Dr Kailash Narayan Singh – founder of Mayo Hospital and Mayo Institute of Medical Sciences – was a zealous visionary who was blessed with a progressive intellect. He was indefatigable in his mission to serve the sick and the infirm, the poor and the needy. His efforts to serve humanity were highly commendable and his contribution to society was especially laudable.
Dr K. N. Singh started his education in 1960 as a first grader in Stanstead College, Canada. Thereafter, he moved to the US in 1967 where he graduated from Ridley High School, Folsom, Pennsylvania, in 1972. He was drafted for the US Army but, as his conscience could not accept the indiscriminate killing of people, he moved to India. He did his MBBS (1973 – 1978) from Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, and subsequently returned to the US to study for his USMLE. He did his MD from Pennsylvania Medical School and started working there although he also worked at Saint Barnabas Medical Centre while in New York.
Dr K. N. Singh ultimately shifted base to India in 1996. His primary aspiration was to establish a hospital since he was motivated by an intense desire to provide medical facilities and services to the community. His ceaseless efforts resulted in fruition when he succeeded in opening the first Trauma Centre in Eastern UP. He founded Mayo Institute of Medical Sciences which was the first private Medical College in UP to be granted permission for 250 students because of ginormous infrastructure and outstanding academic facilities.He worked tirelessly and incessantly to nurture Mayo and raise it to exemplary heights.
A person who remained undefeated by the severest challenges, a person who believed in fearlessly touching distant horizons, a person who was undeterred by the thought of charting unfamiliar territory, a person who never capitulated to pressure, a person who was rarely without a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye – such was the persona of Dr K. N. Singh.
On the fateful day of 20th May, 2021, God decided to summon him to help make Heaven a better place and to spread there the same joy and cheer that he had on earth. The void he left behind is dark and deep yet we must strive to keep his legacy alive as a eulogy to the karmayogi that he was. We must also endeavour to preserve the traditions and values that he cherished and treasured. That would be a tribute and honour truly befitting Dr K.N. Singh who was genuinely a giant among men.
