"He was a gem of person for us. We miss Ashok Jiju a lot! May God grant peace to the eternal soul. U will always be with us.
Amrit kaur
Relative,
Dr. Ashok Koul is like God to us. He gave us the confidence to face the tragedy in our life,he was there through out to help us wether morning or night. But, in between we lost him.... Can't think about the pain in which his family is going through... condolence to his family... The best Dr. we ever met...RIP Doctor.
Roopa Anuj
Teacher, sanskara school, Cochin
Dr.Ahok Koul's family and our family had moved into Sobha Daffodil Apartments during the same time. Since our children went to the same school, Dr.Asha and me soon became friends. Though i did not get a chance to get to know Dr.Ashok really well, he came across as an extremely dignified and a friendly person. He would never fail to greet us when we bumped into each other.
Dr Ashok and Dr Asha regularly walked together in the evenings while chatting away like the best of friends. It made an extremely endearing sight. It was during that time when I would meet them and have a small chat. It makes me so very sad that I would not see them walking together again. I have also witnessed on several occasions how caring he was towards his two lovely daughters. It tears my heart to see Dr.Asha in so much pain over the loss of her bestest friend and companion. May God bless her and the children with abundant strength to tide over this irreparable loss.
Hita
Bangalore
It is an unfathomable loss for the entire country, community and family. Such a gem has left us. I am not sure I have the right kind of words to express the grief and emptiness which followed post his demise. He was a shining star. His work, stature and character will continue to be admired and inspire others to achieve excellence in their respective fields. RIP.
Sheetal Bhat
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel at Ashok's sudden demise. Still can't believe that dear Ashok is no more. It is very difficult to accept this bitter truth. He was a great asset to our family. He was so caring, loving, affectionate, helpful, down to earth, wonderful, gem of a person. Its a great loss to our family. He was always there for everyone. Not a day goes by when we don't think about him. No words can express the emptiness he has left in our life. He will always remain in our heart. I pray to God to bless us with peace and strength to cope with irreparable loss. May God bless and may his soul Rest In Peace.
In grief
Dhanwant n kanwal.
Kanwaljit Kaur
I first met Ashok in a conference many years ago, when he was still at Kochi shortly after his micro surgical training. I was impressed with his presentation and the methodical way he was collecting the data. The enthusiasm he used to show in learning newer techniques and always bubbling with energy made all of us feel that a man who is bound to make a great mark in in our country has arrived.
He had unquenched thirst for knowledge and always wanted to excel in every sphere of plastic surgery practice, teaching and scientific presentations. He was always in a hurry to excel more. Sadly, here too he was in a hurry to leave us. But in this short spell he has left an indelible mark in the specialty and on all our mind
Despite the age difference between us we clicked well and became good friends. He is undoubtedly one of the super micro surgeons this country has produced.
I have taken part in many of the workshops he organized and we had mutual respects for each other. I still remember vividly one of the workshops when we spent more time together intimately and had dinner with His entire family in a restaurant after the workshop.
After every presentation or oration of mine he used to come and discuss the nitty-gritty of presentation and will make his comments on what he liked and what he felt could be better. He will ask for tips the same way after every presentation of his.
We used to discuss over phone some of the difficult cases. For the past two years, he used to discuss in detail about him taking up responsibility in the association as the president. I used to tell that he is one of the most deserving persons to take up the post and we were in fact looking forward to it this year.
Two weeks back I did the second stage of surgery for the patient who was referred to me by him. At every step of surgery on that patient his face used to come in mind and I used to stop for a minute every time before proceeding. I could not believe he is no more with us.
I have lost a good friend, a great colleague. Our fraternity has lost a good future leader, Patients have lost a great surgeon, Our country has lost an honest dedicated doctor.
SRIDHAR
I first met Ashok in a conference many years ago, when he was still at Kochi shortly after his micro surgical training. I was impressed with his presentation and the methodical way he was collecting the data. The enthusiasm he used to show in learning newer techniques and always bubbling with energy made all of us feel that a man who is bound to make a great mark in in our country has arrived.
He had unquenched thirst for knowledge and always wanted to excel in every sphere of plastic surgery practice, teaching and scientific presentations. He was always in a hurry to excel more. Sadly, here too he was in a hurry to leave us. But in this short spell he has left an indelible mark in the specialty and on all our mind
Despite the age difference between us we clicked well and became good friends. He is undoubtedly one of the super micro surgeons this country has produced.
I have taken part in many of the workshops he organized and we had mutual respects for each other. I still remember vividly one of the workshops when we spent more time together intimately and had dinner with His entire family in a restaurant after the workshop.
After every presentation or oration of mine he used to come and discuss the nitty-gritty of presentation and will make his comments on what he liked and what he felt could be better. He will ask for tips the same way after every presentation of his.
We used to discuss over phone some of the difficult cases. For the past two years, he used to discuss in detail about him taking up responsibility in the association as the president. I used to tell that he is one of the most deserving persons to take up the post and we were in fact looking forward to it this year.
Two weeks back I did the second stage of surgery for the patient who was referred to me by him. At every step of surgery on that patient his face used to come in mind and I used to stop for a minute every time before proceeding. I could not believe he is no more with us.
I have lost a good friend, a great colleague. Our fraternity has lost a good future leader, Patients have lost a great surgeon, Our country has lost an honest dedicated doctor.
Dr. K. Sridhar
Sr Vice President, SIMS hospital, Chennai
There are plenty of things to share about Ashok sir. I don't have a vocabulary to describe what he meant to me.... In simple words he is My 'GURU' , at times even more than that.... What ever I am today it's all because of him. He has given me everything what a student can expect from his teacher. Am continuing in the same workplace where sir worked for his last 9 years. After his untimely demise the patients still turn up here for the reputation that he has created. They were referred here for complex reconstruction or for very distal level fingertip replant. I was little unsure how to stand up to the expectation of patients and the responsibility handed over to me by the hospital management. Although I was doing the same work independently before, I always had a strong backup ready just a phone call away. Sir never minded to help out whenever needed. Without him I have lost a strong support. Somehow with all the confidence he has instilled in me all these years I took up all the cases that came here. Glad that they were successful and met up to the expectation of patients and the hospital management. Many of my hospital colleagues praised me for those challenging cases. The credit goes to My 'GURU' . Day by day am realising it more and more.
My journey with Ashok Sir started when I was in search for DNB seat. Applied for course in various institutes Including Sparsh. In the month of December 2010 I met Sir. It was a OPD day. He took me all around the ward and OPD. He showed me a hand of a pediatric patient and asked what is this? Straightforward I told its the thumb. Closely observed, it was only 4 finger hand. It was a pollicised index finger. I was clean bowled! It opened me a new world. Took my interview and told the selection of the DNB candidate is by merit. I was disappointed as I was 4th as per merit list. Later it was my luck and destiny to learn from him, sir called me on 25th February 2011 and asked to join for the course. From there on I have imbibed everything about plastic surgery from him directly or indirectly through his previous students. He was always particular about knowing the basics and anatomy. He used to catch us and asked to draw the cross sections of limb at various level and label them and in fact that's the best way to understand anatomy. I was lucky to be his favourite student here. He never ever scolded me for anything. Whenever he asked us to do a surgery he never used to interfere in between the case and do what's called as 'back seat driving'. I think that's a great thing to do. At times I think ever the same confidence can I put on anybody else.
I remember the first time ever I looked into the microscope, I assisted a case during one of my early night duties. My hands were moving here and there and not coordinated to cut the microvascular sutures. He held my hands and assisted me to cut those. The same hands assisted me for my first digital vessel anastomosis, very early during my second year of training. He was supportive during my bad times. I failed to perform proper job in one of lower limb vascular injury patient. There were lot of trouble in that patient. At all times he never scolded me but asked to learn from it. The training continued.... After Sushil sir left the place I was the next person here who worked with him for longer time. More responsibilities were given. I used to spend more time in hospital with him than with my family. Still today favourite calling person in my smartphone is Dr. Ashok koul, which choses automatically based on number of calls. His smiling caller ID picture shows on top of the list ahead of my wife number. About which she always complained. Gradually our relationship bonded to the next level... Everybody else in the hospital used to tell me that "You both are like father and son, he won't leave you even if you want to", It meant a lot for me. He was supportive and there around during important personal events of my life.
Apart from academics he was very fun loving person and he could debate or talk about any topic given to him. He had sound knowledge of many things. Loved to read books, insisted us to do the same. Very enthusiastic in knowing places. Being from karnataka and staying in Bengaluru for many years i still don't know the Bengaluru roads better than him. Whenever confronted with a difficult case he always asked every single person opinion in the department. Even valued the opinion of lowest rank person and consider it if it sounds good.
I successfully finished DNB training just 23 days before he left all of us. I was with him till the last minute that day in the hospital before the destiny took him away. I still can't figure out what exactly went wrong and regret for the same.
Sometimes I feel that whenever I successfully finish a difficult case and look up.... with whom should I share the joy? It's all because of him that I could do that. I want to thank him. He would have felt so much of joy and proud that I am his student. I believe he is looking at me with that unforgettable charismatic smile and feeling the same.
Thanks for being my GURU. We miss you a lot sir....
Dr. Praveen Kumar H P
Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Sparsh Hospital, Bengaluru
I first met Ashok at Sparsh hospital, he had been recommended by my uncle Dr John Vettath to work at Sparsh. He described him as a gifted surgeon with extraordinary surgical skills. He was right Ashok impressed us from the word go !!
Ashok was a loved surgeon at The hospital often referred to as Daddy! He never failed to impress me with his extraordinary surgeries, his patience at work and his passionate involvement with his patients. A patient teacher he has nurtured many a plastic surgeon.
We have shared many an evening together unwinding after a difficult and long case, he was witty and lively company.
He was a very proud and loving husband and father, he will unfortunately miss the many successes and joys that his children will surely have.
I only hope he has found happiness and peace in his heavenly abode. We have lost one of the countries finest surgeons and a fine human being
Yohannan John
SSr, Bangalore
No words are coming to my mind to express the grief and shock I felt when I heard that my dear Ashok is no more. I still find it hard to believe. Apart from his surgical talent, the memories that come to my heart is his concern for all around him—be it the domestic help or an elderly patient. He took personal interest and care of all of them. For us he was our son in every respect. Whenever we had a health problem, the first person we would consult was Ashok and he would correctly tell us which doctor we should consult or how to go about our approach to health. In fact, he would arrange our appointment by personally making calls to the concerned doctors.
Later he moved to Bengaluru. Even then whenever he came to Kochi—however busy his schedule—he made it a point to visit us.
The last time he was here we happened to express our sadness that he no longer was in Kochi. To this he reassured us that within two years’ time he would be back in Kochi at the Rajagiri hospital. We were thoroughly overjoyed. I still remember that my husband held his hand and said, “If you come back our lifespan will increase.” That is how reassuring his presence was to us—a life-giving force.
Me and my husband console ourselves by thinking that God takes away whoever he loves most, in their youth. That must surely be the reason Ashok is not with us. God needed him in heaven.
Rajan Aunty
Family friend,