A distinguished microbiologist, former HoD Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu is known for his pivotal role in establishing COVID-19 laboratories across five districts. He is an accomplished author and active member of national and state-level infection control committees.

Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu is a Professor and former Head of the Department of Microbiology at Rabindranath Tagore Medical College (RNTMC), Udaipur.

Dr. Sahu highlights that RNT Medical College is one of the most renowned institutions in Rajasthan. The credit for its reputation and competence goes to the collective efforts of its directors, heads of departments, faculty members, and lab technicians. Dr. Sahu feels deeply grateful and proud to be a part of RNT Medical College. He shares that lakhs of patients have received treatment at the hospital affiliated to the college, and many more will continue to benefit from its services in the future. Witnessing the smiles on patients' faces after successful treatment brings him immense joy and fulfillment.

As a microbiologist, Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu’s role primarily focuses on diagnostics rather than direct patient care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he made significant contributions as a microbiologist, for which he feels extremely fortunate and grateful. He proudly shares that he was appointed as the Nodal Officer for five district hospitals in the Udaipur region and was asked to establish COVID-19 testing laboratories. These districts include Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Nathdwara, and Chittorgarh. Dr. Sahu played a pivotal role in setting up these laboratories, which proved to be critical during a time when there was no definitive treatment available, and diagnosis was the only means of managing and supporting patients. He takes great pride in having contributed meaningfully during such a crucial period.

He contributes actively to both academic responsibilities at the college and laboratory work. He has authored a book on Microbiology that is well-regarded among undergraduate students. In addition to this, he played a significant role in drafting the manual for Antimicrobial Resistance, as per the requirements of the Infection Control Committee under the National Medical Council. He is also an active member of the Infection Control Committee, which functions at multiple levels. Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu takes immense pride in being a member of both the National Medical Council and the Rajasthan State Antimicrobial Resistance Committee.

Apart from his profession as a Professor, Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu is deeply inclined towards Tatva (philosophical essence) and Adhyatmik (spiritual) pursuits. He enjoys engaging in discussions and debates on spiritual topics and actively helps people address their personal dilemmas, such as dealing with sadness or questioning why seemingly unjust individuals appear to be progressing in life. He emphasizes that many people carry unresolved doubts and existential questions in their minds. According to him, developing philosophical understanding and spiritual awareness is essential for gaining clarity and inner peace.

Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu hails from Bhandarej village in the Dausa district of Rajasthan. He recalls that despite coming from a small village with limited resources and facilities, the blessings of his family, parents, and God enabled him to progress in life. Through consistent hard work and determination, he secured admission to Sawai Mansingh Medical College, Jaipur, where he completed his MBBS degree. After graduation, he gained experience by working in Jaipur and Delhi for two years. In 2005, he joined the Department of Microbiology at RNT Medical College, Udaipur. He feels a deep sense of joy and fulfillment in being able to serve the people of Udaipur through his work in the Microbiology department. He initially joined as a Senior Demonstrator and went on to serve as the Head of Department until 2024.

Professor at RNT Medical College Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu, shares that his mother is his greatest inspiration and role model. He mentions that he has often reflected on who could truly be his role model, and after much thought, he realized that the courage he possesses today comes from his mother. For this reason, he considers her his true inspiration. Although his mother is not highly educated, her hard work, free-spirited and lively nature, along with her deep faith and interest in devotional songs and hymns, have left a lasting impact on him. He believes that many of these admirable qualities are also reflected in his own personality.

Microbiologist Dr. Sahu reflects on the contrast between today’s environment and facilities and his thoughts on spirituality, which leads him to identify Adi Shankaracharya as his second role model. He shares that two core teachings of Adi Shankaracharya have deeply influenced his life, and he finds them to be so profound that he cannot think beyond them. These teachings, he says, encapsulate the essence of life itself. The first is,

“एको ब्रह्म, मृत्यु नास्ति”

(There is only one Brahma, there is no death),

and the second is,

“ब्रह्म सत्यं, जगत मिथ्या”

(Brahma is the only truth; the world is an illusion).

Dr. Sahu explains that these two thoughts offer solutions to every challenge and problem in life. He emphasizes that when one meditates on and truly understands these teachings, they encompass the entirety of existence. This is why he holds Adi Shankaracharya in such high regard—because at just 32 years of age, he expressed such timeless wisdom that, according to Dr. Sahu, no scholar or thinker has surpassed till today.

Talking about the quotes that motivate him, Professor Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu shares that different phases and situations in life have brought different sources of inspiration to him. During his preparation for the MBBS entrance (PMT) exams, he found great motivation in the song lines:

“प्रतिपल चलने की साधना,मंजिल तक जाने की आराधना,,तन मन में भर ले तू,,जीवन की चेतना,,गति ही प्रगति का मूल है,,ये मंत्र ना भूलना।”

These lines deeply inspired him to keep working hard and continue striving. Even today, they remind him of the importance of perseverance. He believes that as long as a person is alive, they should work consistently with dedication.

Besides this, Dr. Sahu states that as time and circumstances change, so does his thought process. At present, the song that motivates him is:

“आगे भी जाने न तू,,पीछे भी जाने न तू,,जो भी है बस यही एक पल है।”

Dr. Sahu acknowledges that success in life always comes hand in hand with challenges. He emphasizes that success and struggle are two sides of the same coin. A principle he holds close to his heart is that success never arrives on a golden platter—it must be earned through hard work. Reflecting on his own experience, he states that his achievements and current position are the result of persistent effort and dedication. He has faced many struggles along the way but believes that success without hard work has no true value. It is the struggle and hard work that add the real sweetness to life and accomplishment.

He also shares a poem:

“ गुलशन की वक़त सिर्फ फूलों से नहीं, कांटों से भी ज़ीनत होती है।”

He explains that if there are no thorns in a flower garden, it loses its true value. Dr. Sahu feels grateful that he achieved success and other accomplishments only through struggles. He says he has never feared struggles or resented them, as they motivate him to work harder and progress further. For him, struggle is a source of inspiration and motivation, which is why he always believes that true success must include struggle and thorns in life.

Sharing his message for young aspirants, Former HoD of the Microbiology Department at RNT, Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu emphasizes that in any field—medical or otherwise—individuals must create and follow certain rules and regulations. He explains that a person’s entire life depends on discipline within their chosen field. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to establish and adhere to some guiding principles. He also highlights that the very first step is to clearly identify the field or career one wants to pursue because without clarity in this, an individual cannot truly progress in life.

He states that no one can sail on two boats at the same time and progress in life. When an individual makes a clear choice and commits to a single path, only then can they truly move forward. According to him, the first principle is to be certain about one’s interest in the chosen field or career—there should be no doubts or confusion. The second principle is to have confidence and faith in that path, as achieving success in any profession requires immense patience. Without patience, progress is not possible.

The third principle is to always remain honest and work with integrity. If someone is not sincere in their work and does it only to please others or for external approval, that work will not sustain for long. Therefore, he emphasizes that individuals should work for themselves and their own genuine interest, rather than to impress others or due to outside influence.

Dr. Sahu emphasizes that one should be patient and remain true to oneself. He believes it is important for individuals to understand their own nature, as following their natural path leads to consistent progress and growth without deviation. He stresses the importance of staying authentic and advancing according to one’s own nature and interests, rather than being influenced by how others behave or what they do.

According to him, these principles should be followed by every student and professional across various fields, as he himself has adhered to them throughout his life and has achieved success by doing so.

Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu shares his opinions on ways of living by highlighting that individuals should first understand and know themselves thoroughly, including their nature, behavior, background, social circumstances, and personal capacities. He believes it is essential for everyone to realistically assess their own abilities, much like how a bird cannot soar as high as an eagle due to its limited capacity. Similarly, humans must recognize their strengths, available resources, and the support they have from others. When one has this clear understanding, they can pursue their goals more efficiently. He also points out that in today’s world, there is much showing off, but if people try to follow such displays without the necessary resources, they will not be able to succeed.

Secondly, he advises against focusing on the weaknesses or faults of others. He explains that when a person starts looking for faults in someone else, it marks the beginning of disruption in their own life. If an individual notices weaknesses in others, they should refrain from pointing them out or sharing them with others. According to him, the very moment one fixates on others’ weaknesses, negativity begins to take root in their own life.

He emphasizes three important steps that every person should follow: first, to understand things; second, to gain knowledge related to what is understood; and third, to believe in and follow that knowledge.

He often highlights the phrase,

“समझो, जानो, और मानो”, …

…meaning first ‘understand’, then ‘know’, and finally ‘believe’.

He explains that this approach guides one’s life by encouraging individuals to first understand themselves, then truly know themselves, and ultimately believe in and follow their own path. The same process applies to people as well. One should first understand others, then know them, and finally believe in them.

He highlights that throughout history, many legendary figures such as Lord Ram, Lord Buddha, Mahaveer, Guru Gobind Singh, Kabir, and others have shared profound words of wisdom. However, he points out that not everyone has followed their teachings. People accept and interpret these teachings according to their own understanding, capacities, and circumstances. He reflects that if everyone had embraced these wise teachings, the world might have been like heaven, with every individual possessing a good heart. Despite the many valuable teachings found in spiritual scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Quran, the world still faces numerous problems.

Dr. Sushil Kumar Sahu shares a couplet:

“चाहे गीता बांच लो, या पढ़ लो कुरान, तेरा मेरा प्यार ही, हर पुस्तक का ज्ञान।”

He uses this couplet to emphasize the importance of understanding others first. According to him, beyond scriptures and texts, the essence of all knowledge lies in love and mutual understanding between people.