The lasting bond between Dr KM Cherian and people of Chengannur

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Alappuzha: Residents of Chengannur in Kerala have always been proud of renowned cardiac surgeon Dr K M Cherian, who passed away in Bengaluru on Saturday night, as he hailed from the place. This is because Dr Cherian remained in touch with his hometown and made significant contributions to the medical sector in the region even after he shifted from there and attained international fame.
Dr Cherian’s parents were Kottooreth Mammen Cherian and Mariayamma Mammem. He later opened the Dr K M Cherian Foundation Cardiac Surgery Department at St Gregorios Mission Hospital, Parumala in 2000 as an expression of his commitment to the people of his hometown.
He also launched the Dr K M Cherian Institute of Medical Sciences at Kallissery in 2021 and guided the medical services there. A director of the institute, Dr Cherian, offered his services at the hospital whenever he could. He stayed at a house he bought at Pavukkara in Mannar while visiting his hometown.
Dr Cherian also called on his relatives and visited the family house in Chengannur every time he reached the town. His last trip to Chengannur was in November last year. Incidentally, the people of Chengannur had organised a grand function in honour of Dr Cherian when he won the Padma Shri award in 1991.