V. Shanta

2005 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Public Service from India. As a young medical student, V. Shanta was much inspired by Muthulakshmi Reddy, a social reformer and India's first woman medical graduate. Drawn to Reddy's vision in founding the Cancer Institute (WIA) in Chennai, Dr. Shanta joined the Institute in its third year and, for the next five decades, poured all her energies to bring the best of cancer research and treatment to the Institute's legions of patients. Step by challenging step, Dr. Shanta worked with Dr. Krishnamurti, the Institute's founding director, to set up India's first pediatric cancer clinic, conduct the country's first major cancer survey and develop the first program for the early detection of cancer in rural areas. Through her leadership, the Institute has become a world-class center doing groundbreaking research work in the treatment of different cancers; equally inspiring is how Dr. Shanta has ensured that the Institute's 100,000 annual patients receive compassionate care — in free or subsidized services, in travel allowances for those needing regular treatments, in emotional support and counseling for patients and their families.