Mangalore: Dr Mitra Hegde's Claim as Dentist to President of India Proved False
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Apr 5: In a startling revelation, an RTI application filed regarding Dr Mitra Hegde's claim as dentist to the President of India has proved her false.
It may be recalled that in 2010, Mangalore dentist Dr Mitra Hegde had made headlines for being chosen as the dentist to Pratibha Patil, the President of India. The city was elated at the news, and all the local media had celebrated her.
Dr Mitra Hegde
However, now, an application filed under the RTI act by Dr Shivasharan Shetty has revealed that no such appointment had been made, and Dr Mitra was given no such role.
Addressing a press meet here on Thursday April 5, president of Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti Hanumanth Kamath said that Dr Mitra had wrongly informed the media that she had been appointed as the dentist to the President of India, which goes against the rules and guidelines of the dentist association.
He further said that the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, to which Dr Shivsharan had applied for information, had clarified that 'Dr Mitra N Hegde has not been appointed as dentist to the President of India'.
In 2011, the state government had honoured her with the Rajyotsava Award for this achievement. "Now that Rashtrapati Bhavan itself has clarified, the award should be taken back," Kamath demanded.
He also said that the Karnataka dentist association is against its member publicizing such false claims for their personal advantage, and urged that action be taken againt Dr Mitra.
"It has also been proved that she misused her 'position' and collected exorbitant fees from her clients," he alleged.
He also demanded a public apology from Dr Mitra Hegde, and said that a complaint against her also already been given to Karnataka dentist association, the state governor, the Kannada and culture department (to revoke Rajyotsava Award) and the secretary to the President of India.
"The dentist association has already issued her a showcause notice," he informed, alleging that Dr Mitra had misguided the public without having any relevant documents with her as proof.
"This goes against the code of conduct of doctors," Kamath said.
The RTI letter (1145/RTI/09/11-12) dated October 17, 2011, which was recieved by Dr Shivasharan, states three important points:
- There is no panel of dentists to the President at present
- Dr Mitra Hegde has never treated the President
- Dr Mitra Hegde was never appointed as dentist to the President of India
Kamath also pointed out that Dr Mitra had claimed that the President had called her personally, "but that is impossible as the President works through her secretaries and does not call anyone personally,"
Kamath also slammed the media for highlighting her without verifying facts.
Dr Shivsharan Shetty, former secretary of the Karnataka State Branch of Indian Dental Association, was present.
I am shocked - Dr Mitra Hegde
In a statement to a mediaperson, Dr Mitra expressed her shock over the allegations and stood by her claims. She even said that the personal physician to the President too had visited her clinic in 2010, adding that she had been selected based on her merits.
Also Read: