Dr Putla Lentin (pictured), a popular and dearly loved doctor passed away in Hyderabad, Telangana on February 7, 2022 at the age of 92.
She was an outstanding practitioner, dedicated teacher and a great community stalwart having touched many lives and leaving 
unforgettable memories. Lentin graduated in 1955 from Osmania Medical College and Hospital and in 1961 qualified as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in general medicine. She was the first lady physician of Andhra Pradesh.
After retiring as additional superintendent and Professor Emeritus from Osmania Medical College and Hospital and working at several government hospitals and colleges in the state, she was a senior consultant and professor at the Durgabai Deshmukh Trust Hospital and the Andhra Mahila Sabha in Hyderabad. From a consulting room in her residence she provided free service to the needy and all members of her community.
One of the old school medical practitioners, Lentin had a loyal patient following with immense faith in her diagnosis, so much so that some patients who were overseas continued to seek her opinion.
Friend and patient Armin Wadia says, "Dr Putla was an exceptional doctor who treated every member of the community with affection and guided us in the right direction. She would come to us, night or day, never charging anything; if a patient couldn’t afford it she would even provide them with medicines and use her car to transport them to the hospital, if necessary. I have never seen such dedication. Not only have I benefitted from it but every member of my community has. We are all very grateful to her and will always remember her in our prayers.”
Lentin leaves behind a dedicated band of former students, all eminent doctors in their respective fields who cherish their association with her and are deeply thankful for her motherly mentoring and the knowledge she imparted to them.
Senior cardiologist, Dr Srinivas Rao, who had a long association with her, describes her as "an excellent clinical disciplinarian who treated her patients with affection and kindness.”
"She was an excellent teacher. I was so excited and exhilarated when posted in her unit,” says gynecologist Dr Sultana Khan, "She personified grace, dignity and discipline. She will live through her many students. She left a mark on all who met her. In fact, I even copied her style of wearing the sari.” Leading oncologist, Dr Ravi Kumar wrote a poetic tribute to his teacher, "Our Lentin Madam.”
Stories of her humanitarian acts and generosity abound. Deeply religious and spiritual she gave freely to religious institutions, for education and to all those who came to her for help.
OMIM MANECKSHAW DEBARA
Trustee, Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad,
omim_debara@yahoo.co.in