In a world dazzled by fame, glamour, and power, we often mistake visibility for value. Our society mostly celebrates celebrities who act on screens, but rarely acknowledges those who act from the heart, the unsung warriors who fight silent battles for truth, justice, and human welfare. Their stories don’t trend on social media, nor do they make it to primetime news, yet, their impact saves lives and generations to come, in the most literal sense.
One such hero is Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh from Hyderabad, a pediatrician who has dedicated years of her life to exposing harmful medical practices and the deep-rooted nexus between pharma giants, hospitals, and political interests. Her recent campaign since 2018 to remove dangerous ORS formulations from the market, products that were ironically worsening diarrhea in children instead of curing it, is a testament to her courage and commitment to medical ethics over money.
Am deeply moved by her revelations. Listening to Dr. Sivaranjani reminded me of a painful incident from my own family. When my nephew was just an infant, he suffered from severe diarrhea. Despite giving him what we were told was the best treatment, including branded ORS purchased from outside, his condition only worsened until hospitalization became unavoidable. Despite being a doctor myself, I also couldn’t understand why the treatment designed to help him seemed to be harming him instead.
Today, after hearing Dr. Sivaranjani’s explanation, and research, the dots connect.
I finally know why! and my heart fills with both outrage and gratitude. Outrage at a system that allowed this deception to continue, and gratitude for the brave souls and true Heroes who risk their careers and safety to speak the truth.
Her work is not just medical activism, it’s an act of deep compassion and service to humanity. She stands as a shining reminder that real heroism lies not in applause or fame, but in the courage to protect truth and life, even when it means standing alone.
Maybe these heroes are not as famous as Indian celebrities, nor as glamorous as our Bollywood stars. Yet, their determination and perseverance shine far brighter — for they keep swimming against the tides when all odds are stacked against them.
These are the real heroes of our nation, people who swim against the tide of greed, apathy, and corruption; who uphold principles when it’s easier to stay silent; who fight not for applause, but for lives. They remind us that true service is not about charity galas or headlines — it is about empathy in action.
These are people who choose integrity over convenience, truth over comfort. They keep working silently, in alignment with their principles and values, for the benefit of millions who may never even know their names — driven purely by empathy and loving-kindness. They dare to challenge giant corporations, red tapism and bureaucracies that too often serve only the interests of powerful lobbies that fund them.
I am quite surprised and even disheartened to realize that Indian media has barely covered the incredible and relentless efforts of Dr. Sivaranjani from Hyderabad, whose work exposed the dangers of certain ORS formulations that were ironically harming, rather than healing, children suffering from diarrhea. Her courage and persistence in taking on the powerful nexus between pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and political interests : all driven by profit over human life, reveals one of the darkest sides of modern medicine.
That mainstream media has remained largely silent about Dr. Sivaranjani’s long, grueling crusade, a fight for the voiceless and vulnerable children who have no means or consciousness to understand that their parents’ love and fear for their children were being exploited by powerful lobbies as opportunities turning illness into industry. This is one of the most tragic commentaries of our times.
While the media tirelessly follows up, churns out and broadcasts what celebrity said what, loves eating what, who wore what at which event, boarded which flight even commenting on fashion taste for attire while taking flights, news such as where they are vacationing or planning to marry, it turns a blind eye to stories that truly matter — real life stories of conscience, courage, grit and compassion that could awaken collective awareness and uplift morales of millions is ignored, while shallow headlines engineered for TRPs, likes, and clicks dominate our screens.
Just recently, I even received multiple forwards of the recent Miss Universe event, where an Indian contestant was crowned, shared by friends, colleagues, and various social WhatsApp groups. In contrast, I have yet to see such widespread attention for Dr. Sivaranjani’s remarkable contributions to children’s health—work that impacts countless lives across the country, including our own families. With all due respect to the achievements of beauty pageant winners, this contrast highlights how often society celebrates glamour and spectacle, while the tireless efforts of those driving real, long-term social reform sometimes go unnoticed.
It is a painful reminder of how easily substance is sacrificed for spectacle, and how the ones who fight for humanity, justice, and truth often walk unseen and alone in the shadows of a distracted and desensitized world.
But perhaps that’s how the truth often begins, quietly, through the courage of one conscience that refuses to bend.
In an era when sickness has become a business and fear a tool of profit, people like Dr. Sivaranjani bring back hope that not all healers have sold their soul to the system.
Having personally fought legal battles against influential lobbies despite being from a medical background, I can deeply relate to the enormous effort it takes, the endless paperwork, the coordination with lawyers and court staff, the draining uncertainty of outcomes, and the emotional toll it takes while juggling professional and personal responsibilities. It demands not just courage, but endurance, faith, and inner strength to face the challenges both external as well as internal!
That is why I see Dr. Sivaranjani’s achievement as no less than that of a True Iron Lady — someone who stood tall against all odds, refusing to give in to pressure or fatigue, driven purely by empathy and a sense of duty toward the voiceless despite no literal rewards on personal or professional front being apparent in her pursuit!
Her victory after 8 years of perseverance is not just a professional triumph; it is a triumph of conscience over Kaliyug.
She fought for something that may never bring her financial reward or glamour or fame, yet her actions have safeguarded countless innocent lives for generations to come!
Her journey renews my faith that integrity and compassion are still alive and quietly shaping the world in ways grand speeches never could.
To such souls, the unsung guardians of humanity, the real heroes, I offer my heartfelt gratitude and salute, from the deepest core of my being.
Dr. Sivaranjani’s story and those of countless others like her, reminds us that real patriotism lies not in loud slogans, but in the choices we make, perseverance against all odds and the silent acts of conscience. These individuals are the moral backbone of our society, proving that integrity and empathy are still alive, even in an era clouded by greed and manipulation.
Equally important is to recognize and salute the Hon'ble Judges whose conscience, integrity, and judicial acumen upheld righteousness in the face of powerful, wealthy, and influential lobbies. Their courage to remain impartial, to focus solely on truth and justice, and to grant victory to efforts rooted in humanity and principle deserves our heartfelt gratitude. Such decisions remind us that the law can indeed serve as a force for good, and that there are guardians of justice who honor the spirit of their calling, inspiring faith in the system and hope for society.
Each time someone chooses truth over comfort, ethics over influence, and service over self-interest, a small light is lit — and together, these lights become the dawn of a more awakened nation.
May the modern media, too, find the courage to question what is wrong, to stand up for what is right, and to celebrate those who do so selflessly. Because a society that honors its truth-tellers and protectors of humanity is a society that still has hope!
While India has a proud tradition of honoring its citizens with titles such as Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna, it is often observed that the spotlight tends to shine on celebrities or political figures. Many unsung heroes, whose relentless efforts transform lives and uphold humanity, remain largely unrecognized. I sincerely hope that in the future, the Indian Government will also celebrate and honor such true heroes with titles befitting their contributions, acknowledging the profound impact of their work on society.
Forever A Humble Seeker of Truth and the Divine
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