Davanagere doc launches 40-month free surgery drive as ‘guru dakshina’ to alma mater

Mangaluru: An obstetrician-gynaecologist from Davanagere and an alumnus of Expert Coaching Classes has launched a free-surgery initiative as a gesture of gratitude to the institution. The programme, titled Expert Seva Divas, will offer free surgical procedures on the 29th of every month for 40 months, from Jan 2026 to April 2029.The initiative is led by Dr Shivabasavaswamy AH, who runs Sri Mruthyunjaya Nursing Home in Davangere. He studied at Expert PU College's coaching classes in 2004 and entered the medical field after securing a merit seat through CET.
The plan was announced during the 40th Expert Day celebrations of Expert PU College on Dec 29. Invited as Chief Guest, Dr Shivabasavaswamy said the programme is a personal tribute and a form of "guru dakshina" to society. "This is a tribute to my alma mater, which helped me become a doctor," he said, recalling that he attended coaching during the summer and Dasara holidays and credited the training with helping him clear CET.The first Expert Seva Divas was held on Jan 29, when Dr Shivabasavaswamy and his team performed five surgeries. These included two complicated caesarean sections, an ovarian cyst removal, a tubectomy and other gynaecological procedures. He said the services were provided free of professional charges, while patients paid only for medicine and anaesthesia, estimated at around Rs 1,000.The next Expert Seva Divas is scheduled for March 1. He added that the initiative has expanded within the family, with his wife, a paediatrician, deciding to provide free paediatric services as part of the monthly programme.Ushaprabha N Nayak, vice-chairperson and chairman of the Expert Group of Institutions, said the initiative reflects the institution's focus on producing medical professionals and encouraging service-oriented contributions to the community.