Dr Sethi, the inventor of Jaipur foot, is no more

Renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Pramod Karan Sethi, whose invention of artificial limb 'Jaipur foot' was a durable hero of medicine in helping lakhs of amputees around the world lead a normal life again, died of cardiac arrest in Jaipur on Sunday.

Sethi, 80, breathed his last at a private hospital, family sources said. He his survived by his wife, one son and three daughters.

A recipient of Padmashree award and the Ramon Magsaysay award for community leadership, Sethi figured in the Guinness book of world records for the record number of people using the artificial limb named after the city where it was conceived.

The limb came as a manna from heaven in the desolate world of amputees and brought new hope not only for its low cost but also for being light and easy for the body to adapt enabling the user to lead a normal life. It was invented in 1969.

Celebrated dancer and actor Sudha Chandra was among the celebrities who got a new lease of life after wearing 'Jaipur foot'. She even played a tough dance sequence in Nache Mayuri film thanks to this artificial limb.

Dr Sethi, who had retired as the head and professor of Orthopaedic Department at the Sawai Man Singh Hospital, was a consultant at the Satokhab Durlabhji Memorial Hospital for the last couple of years.

 The International Red Cross Committee (IRCC) used 'Jaipur foot' extensively in Afghanistan and other war theatres in Iraq and the Middle East to help soldiers who lost their legs in action and during landmine attacks.

Hundreds of victims of Kargil war also got themselves fitted with this artificial limb.