Vivek Murthy has strong ties with Mandya

Bengaluru: Dr Vivek Hallegere Murthy, who was handpicked by US President Barack Obama for the post of Surgeon General, has strong ties with Mandya district, the home of his ancestors.

Though he was born in UK and later brought up in the US, his family is still in touch with their native village, Hallegere.

Vivek is the grand son of H.C. Narayana Murthy, a close associate of former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs and former director of Mysore Sugar Company and Vikranth Tyres.

His father Dr H.N. Lakshminarasimha Murthy was an alumnus of Mysore Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre. After serving several years in local hospitals, he moved to UK for higher studies and later settled in the US.

According to H.N. Sathyanarayana, former PWD chief engineer and brother of Lakshminarasimha, the family is in touch with their village through the self-funded SCOPE foundation.

“Every year they hold several initiatives through this foundation. They have provided more than 100 computers to the local government schools in and around the village. This year the foundation is holding a free eye camp on December 8,” he said.

“This foundation is also planning to distribute the solar equipment to villagers and schools,” he added.

According to the villagers Dr Vivek visits Hallegere every year. “Even though he was born and brought up abroad, he speaks fluent Kannada. He visits the village every year,” Sathyanarayana added.

“Even this year we are expecting Dr Vivek here. Whenever he visit the home village, he treats the patients himself,” he added.

Dr Murthy is an alumnus of Harvard Medical School and co-founder and president of Doctors of America, which is strongly propagating the access to high quality but affordable health care to all irrespective of their financial status.