# Renowned Neurosurgeon Padma Shri Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra Passes Away at 74 in AIIMS Delhi

> Eminent neurosurgeon Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, renowned for leading the historic operation separating conjoined twins Jaga and Kalia, passed away at AIIMS Delhi at 74. The Padma Shri recipient had also served as AIIMS Bhubaneswar's founding director.

**Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-11-04 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/prakhyata-nyurosarjana-padmashri-dr-ashok-kumar-mahapatra-ka-74-varsha-ki-ayu-men-nidhana-aiims-delhi-men-li-antima-sansa-56040 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, AIIMS Delhi, Padma Shri, Neurosurgeon, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Jaga Kalia Surgery, Odisha

Eminent neurosurgeon and Padma Shri recipient Professor Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra passed away on Monday night at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. He was 74 years old and was receiving specialized care for complex neurological conditions. He is survived by his wife and a daughter. His passing has triggered widespread grief across India's healthcare community and beyond.

## Health Battle and Medical Treatment in the Capital
Dr Mahapatra was battling glioblastoma, an aggressive and severe form of brain cancer, over an extended period. Following a worsening in his condition, he was airlifted from Bhubaneswar to AIIMS New Delhi on October 2 last month. Medical teams were treating him for a brain stroke at the premier medical centre, where he breathed his last during treatment on Monday night. His mortal remains are scheduled to be brought to Bhubaneswar on Tuesday for the final rites.

## The Landmark Separation of Conjoined Twins Jaga and Kalia
One of the defining milestones of Dr Mahapatra's illustrious career came in 2017, when he directed the groundbreaking operation to separate craniopagus conjoined twins from Odisha, named Jaga and Kalia. Conducted at AIIMS New Delhi, the complex procedure spanned 16 intense hours. Widely recognized as the first successful cranial separation surgery of its kind in India, the medical feat garnered widespread public and scientific acclaim.

## Founding AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Receiving the Padma Shri
In recognition of his distinguished contributions to neurosurgery, research, and public health, Dr Mahapatra was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri national honour in 2024. Beyond surgical excellence, he played an instrumental part in building healthcare institutions, notably steering the establishment of AIIMS Bhubaneswar in Odisha and serving as its first appointed Director.

## Tributes Across the Political and Medical Spectrum
Condolences poured in from major leaders following the news of his death. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conveyed deep sorrow on social platform X, noting that Dr Mahapatra elevated the stature of both Odisha and India as a pioneering figure in medical science whose contributions to patient care and research will endure.

Former Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik also paid tribute on X, describing Dr Mahapatra's demise as an irreparable loss for the state and the country. He emphasized that the late doctor's role in establishing advanced medical infrastructure in Odisha will always be remembered with respect.

## What this means for you
The demise of one of India's preeminent neurosurgeons and medical institution builders marks a significant loss for healthcare and neurological research.

- **In Odisha:** The state loses a pioneering healthcare leader who laid the foundation of tertiary medical care as the founding director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Patients and young medical practitioners in the region will miss his direct clinical leadership and mentorship.
- **Across India:** The national neurosurgical and research community has lost a veteran who proved that rare, unprecedented surgical procedures could succeed within the country. Medical teams and researchers will now rely on the procedural blueprints and clinical precedents established during his long career.

## Why this happened
Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra passed away following prolonged health complications triggered by aggressive brain cancer and subsequent stroke issues.

- **Primary Cause:** He was suffering from glioblastoma, recognized as an extremely aggressive and fast-progressing category of brain tumour.
- **Critical Developments:** His clinical state worsened significantly after experiencing a brain stroke, necessitating an emergency medical airlift from Bhubaneswar to AIIMS New Delhi on October 2.
- **Hospital Treatment:** Despite dedicated multidisciplinary intensive care and treatment for acute neurological conditions at AIIMS New Delhi, his condition deteriorated critically on Monday night.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What was the cause of Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra's death?
He was battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and passed away while undergoing treatment for a brain stroke at AIIMS New Delhi.

### 2. How old was Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra at the time of his death?
He was 74 years old.

### 3. When and where was the surgery to separate Jaga and Kalia performed?
The historic 16-hour separation surgery took place in 2017 at AIIMS New Delhi.

### 4. When did Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra receive the Padma Shri award?
He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024 for his distinguished contributions to medical science.

### 5. What was his role at AIIMS Bhubaneswar?
He played a pivotal part in establishing AIIMS Bhubaneswar and served as its first Director.

### 6. Who are Dr Mahapatra's surviving family members?
He is survived by his wife and a daughter.

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