Dehradun, March 16 -- He is a cut above the rest- the OT is his lifeline, the patient, his precious protection whose success at survival is both a test and pride of his skill. Meet Dr. Satyaki Nambala, the no-nonsense cardio thoracic surgeon, the pioneer of robotic heart surgery in India.

His career path makes for an intriguing study of how, by sheer determination, diligence and dedication one can make his dream come true. With a busy schedule that doesn't pause for an extra breath, getting to Dr. Satyaki for a talk on his medical journey was nothing short of a trapeze! A patient wait and he was there, fresh as ever, ready to traverse into the past to make the present intelligible.

What was his inspiration to do medicine in the first pl...