Dr Balu Sankaran was a professor and scientist who helped establish and artificial limb manufacturing corporation and a rehabilitation institute. While working in AIMS, he conducted basic medical research as a Rockefeller Foundation Fellow at the University of Chicago in the United States. He was an accomplished surgeon. His surgical skills were legendary. He was a bold and fast surgeon. He was doing spine surgery at a time when many feared to do it.

HIS Contribution to Healthcare Landscape in India ;

While working as a Director of the Central Institute of Orthopedics, he helped set up the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) at Kanpur in 1972 and helped establish the National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research at Olatpur near Bhubaneshwar in 1975 and remained Chairman of the Corporation till 1981.

Change-Making Positions Held ;

* Served as a Director of Central Institute of Orthopedics from 1970 till 1978.
* Offered to serve as the Director of the World Health Organization in Geneva in 1981 and remained with the WHO till 1987.
* Served as the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Council of India between 1992 and 1994.
* Worked as a Professor Emeritus at St Stephen's Hospital, Delhi.
* Served as the President of the Indian Orthopedic Association.
* FRCS in Orthopedics from Canada - the first Indian to do so.

Laurels Brought to Dr Balu Sankaran ;

* Conferred the Padma Shri in 1972 by the Government of India.
* Conferred the Padma Vibushan for medicine in 2007.

Impact Brought in the Lives of Common Indians ;

His work brought relief and opened up ways for physically challenged people in India to live productive lives. His contribution in the field of academics has been bearing fruits to date. The directives he rendered in medical education has brought innovation in the field. He was a born teacher who produced over 65 eminent professors worldwide.