A Tribute to Professor Ashok Kumar Bajaj

EARLY LIFE

Dr. Ashok Kumar Bajaj [as depicted in Figure 1] was born on 24th December 1945 in pre-independence India in Bajaja village in Lyallpur district (now in Pakistan). His family later shifted to Panipat, Haryana, after partition. He pursued his MBBS from Government Medical College, Rohtak (MBBS, 1967; Internship, 1968) and MD in Dermatology from AIIMS, New Delhi (1972). After a brief tenure as Registrar at AIIMS, he joined Moti Lal Nehru Medical College (MLNMC), Allahabad (now Prayagraj), in 1973 as a lecturer.

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Figure 1:

Late Prof. Ashok Kumar Bajaj.

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ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP

Through his relentless dedication and vision, Professor Bajaj pioneered the independent Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology at MLN Medical College, carving a unique space for dermatological science, which until then functioned under the Department of Medicine.

As professor and head of dermatology at MLNMC (1985–1997), Dr. Bajaj built a culture of structured teaching and rigorous clinical discussion. His legendary commitment to academics was best reflected in the Annual Mid-Session Clinical Conferences he hosted for 25 consecutive years, fostering a culture of case-based learning and peer exchange. These gatherings became and continue to be landmark events in the Indian dermatology calendar.

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Bajaj’s pioneering focus was on contact dermatitis and contact depigmentation, areas that had received limited attention in Indian dermatology till that time. His detailed clinical studies and advocacy for patch testing established new standards of practice. This work earned him the recognition of being the “Father of Contact Dermatitis in India.” His academic contributions include over 100 scientific papers, of which nearly three dozen appeared in international journals, along with several chapters in standard dermatology books.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Dr. Bajaj was elected president of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL) in 2003 and also served as chairperson of the IADVL Academy. He also held presidencies of IASSTD & AIDS, CODFI, and the Skin Allergy Research Society. Under his leadership, these bodies emphasized academic exchange, guideline development, and specialty growth. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to dermatology, he was honoured with the Prof. Ratan Singh Oration and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by IADVL in 2007.

LEGACY

Dr. Bajaj’s professional life demonstrated how a specialty could be expanded through focus on research, academic tradition, and institutional leadership. By building one of the earliest dedicated dermatology departments in northern India, advancing the science of contact dermatitis, and creating enduring academic forums, he ensured that dermatology in India evolved with both structure and vision. His work continues to inform practice, teaching, and collaboration within the specialty.

PERSONAL LIFE AND PASSING

Prof. Bajaj was much more than a medical expert. He was a disciplined teacher, a devoted researcher, a sports enthusiast, a lover of Urdu poetry, and a soulful singer. His aura radiated positivity and warmth—true to his name, Ashok—bringing joy and light wherever he went.

Dr. Bajaj was married to Dr. Sarita Bajaj, a distinguished endocrinologist. Together, they raised two daughters, Nehanjali, an engineer in the United States, and Nishika, a software engineer based in Mauritius. His family was both his anchor and his pride.

Tragically, we lost this towering figure to COVID-19 on 21st January 2021. Yet, his legacy lives on—in the lives he healed, the students he inspired, and the standards he set in dermatological practice and ethics. Let us continue to walk the path he paved, upholding the values and vision he stood for.