GMC Batch 1956
Born in the holy city of Mathura, India, on 1st January 1937, eldest amongst three brothers and four sisters, he grew up in Delhi and joined Gandhi Medical College at Bhopal in 1956. After qualifying in 1961, Dr Saksena served in Delhi in Safdarjung and Willingdon Hospitals and then as a Medical Officer in CGHS. He also completed DCH from Delhi University during this period.
In 1972 Dr Saksena decided to emigrate to the U.K. to start a new life.
After working in hospitals in Taunton (Somerset), Exeter (Devon) and St Helens (Merseyside) for about five years, Dr Saksena joined General Practice in St Helens in a two doctor surgery. That practice has a very interesting history having been established in 1903. Dr Saksena succeeded the practice in 1980 and in years to follow, his two daughters joined him as his partners – Shikha Pitalia in 1991 and Ritu Maini in 1995. Shikha is married to his batchmate, Dr P L Pitalia’s son, Dr Sanjay. Shikha and Sanjay run SSP Health, one of the largest NHS Service in the country and a private service known as Pall Mall Medical. They have been honoured with numerous National and International Awards for their service to medicine and for their philanthropy.
Ritu is married to Dentist, Rabindra Maini who leads a private practice in Bolton.
Dr Saksena says with a grin that their youngest daughter, Indra, born in Exeter, did not wish to pursue medical profession saying that ‘she has seen enough of it in the house’.
Dr Saksena’s granddaughter, Alisha Maini has just qualified as doctor from Leeds University. He has four more grandchildren – eldest, Raja Pitalia BE Hons., MPhil (Cantab) works for SSP Health, Aanya Pitalia LLB Hons., CA is a Tax Advisor in London, Nikhil Maini BA Hons is to commence further studies and the youngest, Anika Maini will join University later this year.
Dr Vinod Saksena is married to Renu BA Hons., MA from Delhi University. In November 2022, they celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. They received Royal Greetings from King Charles & Queen Camilla to mark the occasion.
Dr Saksena describes his wife a brilliant Homemaker and a rocklike support to him.
During his long and distinguished medical career, Dr Saksena has also worked as a Medical Assessor for DWP and as a Member of Tribunal for many years & he also served in Territorial Army for twenty years, retiring as a Major. He was decorated with a medal for service to TA and was also invited to Buckingham Palace to attend Queen’s garden party.
On 8th October 2022, Dr Saksena completed 50 years serving the NHS. He intends to retire by the end of year 2023.
Dr Saksena spends lot of his time to serve the community. In 1980, he founded Indo-British Association in St Helens to bring community together and raised money for several local charities. In 1984, he was elected President of Merseyside Indian Association, a position he held with deep commitment for several decades. In 2006, the Merseyside Police gave him ‘The Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his services towards community cohesion & in 2007, he was honoured as ‘Citizen of The Year’ for Knowsley (Liverpool).
Dr and Mrs Saksena have provided, completely free, board and lodging for innumerable overseas doctors until they settled down in their own surroundings. He remains a mentor to so many.
Dr Saksena is credited with designing the Logo for Gandhi Medical College when he was a First Year student. He was appointed as Secretary Cultural & Drama Society of the first Nominated Association of GMC. The first ever cultural show in his college was organised by him and he was also a member of the Editorial Team of the first College Magazine.
In 1980 Dr Saksena established the first ever MP Medical Graduates’ Association in the U.K. which proved precursor to Alumini Associations of different medical colleges of Madhya Pradesh coming up in years to follow.
Dr Vinod Kumar Saksena is deeply passionate about his Alma Mater and he remains a highly valued member of the GMC Bhopal Alumni Association here in the United Kingdom.