Dr. Suraj Joshi – A Simple, Inspiring Life Story
What caught everyone’s attention recently was Dr. Suraj Joshi receiving the Dr. Ashok Sathe Memorial Award at the Arogya Mitra Foundation event. This award is given to a doctor who is excellent in his work and also active in many other parts of life.
Many people in Belagavi know Dr. Suraj Joshi. I met him twice when I had lost my voice. His calm and warm nature instantly makes patients feel relaxed. But what we see in the clinic is only a small part of who he truly is.
A Proud Belagavi Boy
Dr. Suraj studied at St. Paul’s School and completed his MBBS at JNMC. He got an MS seat in Radiation Therapy at Kidwai Institute, Bangalore. But his mentor advised him that this may not be the right field for him. Trusting that advice, he returned to Belagavi, worked for some time, and then joined MS ENT at JNMC.
After completing his degree and getting married, he went to Switzerland for a fellowship. On returning, he started his own ENT practice. Today, he has been serving patients for almost 20 years.
Becoming a Farmer – A Surprise Turn in Life
Dr. Suraj’s father owned a jewellery shop and also took care of their farm near Yamkanmardi. As his father grew older, Dr. Suraj began visiting the farm with him every week. He quietly watched, took photos of crops at different stages, and slowly started learning farming.
When his father passed away in 2018, the responsibility of the farm came to him. He did not know much about farming, but his photographs, dates, and observations became his guide. He treated the land with patience and love.
Farmers who visited him as patients became his teachers. They advised him, and he always helped them in return.
One farmer suggested free-range cattle rearing. So he started with 8 cows, which has now grown to 38 cows, all freely moving in open sheds. Their manure, mixed with wood dust, creates rich organic compost. He also practiced vermicomposting, and both methods gave excellent results.
His farm grows fodder, sugarcane, soybean, and cotton.
The doctor in him helps the farmer in him — he studies soil health, increases soil carbon levels, and checks improvements with scientific methods. He dreams of starting an old-age home for cattle so that no animal suffers in old age.
Fitness as a Way of Life
Dr. Suraj and his wife, Dr. Anupama, love cycling and travel to new places for fitness adventures. They have cycled in Switzerland, Austria, and even walked the scenic roads of Japan.
