The award recognized Dr. Shankar’s decades‑long commitment to advancing geriatric care and medical education across India, highlighting his role in shaping the specialty’s growth and public awareness.
A veteran emeritus professor of medicine, Dr. Shankar has been a vocal advocate for prioritising the health needs of older adults, urging policymakers and clinicians to allocate greater resources to geriatric services.
Amid the COVID‑19 pandemic, he launched an online three‑month certificate programme in Geriatrics and Gerontology, a pioneering effort that has since been offered in six successive terms over the past six years, training a new generation of specialists.
The Geriatric Society of India previously honoured him at its 2012 convention in Belagavi, and he has accumulated multiple lifetime‑achievement recognitions from various medical bodies for his contributions to both clinical practice and academic mentorship.
The latest accolade underscores the increasing emphasis on elder‑care in India’s health agenda, with the GSI’s acknowledgment serving both as a tribute to Dr. Shankar’s legacy and a signal of continued investment in geriatric education and services.