Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College, Udupi

Dr. H.S Ballal

Dr H S Ballal, the eldest son of Mr Belinje Sanjiva Hegde and Mrs Prapulla Hegde, hails from the Hebri Beedu family of Udupi District.Associated with the Manipal Group of Institutions for close to four decades, Dr H S Ballal is presently the Pro Chancellor of Manipal University at Manipal in India.

Impressive Academic Achivements

After having done his MBBS from the prestigious Mysore Medical College in 1966, Dr Ballal joined the then raw and fresh post graduate program in Medical Radiodiagnosis at the Government Medical College, Bangalore. Earning his Diploma as well as Masters in Medical Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Dr Ballal joined the Kasturba Medical College at Mangalore as a Faculty in 1971. He also underwent extensive training in the use of ultrasound and C.T. Scan at the St. Louis University, Missourie, USA .He became a full Professor and Head of the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging at KMC Mangalore in the year 1983. As a member of the medical fraternity, Dr HS Ballal has been a PhD and DNB Guide for many young doctors; apart from being a postgraduate examiner in Radiodiagnosis at several Universities in India. He is a member of the Central Council of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association and a member of the Advisory Board of Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging. Dr Ballal has several publications in Medical Journals related to his field of specialization.

Leadership Qualities

His leadership qualities and dynamism were called upon for administrative services at the medical institution when he was appointed Associate Dean in 1997 which was followed by his appointment as Dean of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore in 2001. His meteoric and well received rise in administration is reflected by the decision of him being selected for the post of the Vice Chancellor of the Manipal University in the year 2003. Having spent his childhood and teenage years in Udupi, he returned to the district, this time at the helm of the affairs of Manipal University an institution of repute that has carved a niche for itself not only in India, but across the world. The immense trust and faith of his colleagues and the management was reposed in him as he was made the first Pro Chancellor of Manipal University in 2007. Initially in 1959 as a young junior college student at MGM College, Udupi, Dr Ballal established his first connection with an institution established by Late Dr TMA Pai the founder of modern Manipal. Half a century later, Dr Ballal alongwith Dr TMA Pais son Dr Ramdas Pai, heads the mammoth educational enterprise borne out of the vision of Dr TMA Pai.

Recognised as a leader in Healthcare and education in the South Kanara region, Dr HS Ballal has delivered over hundred key note and inaugural addresses within and outside India. Known for his dynamic personality which is laced with his booming baritone, Dr HS Ballal is also a keen sportsman at heart and has deep passion for the game of Cricket. During his college years, he represented Mysore University in Tennis and was a member of the cricket teams at both Mysore and Bangalore Medical Colleges. Close to hitting the age of 70, Dr Ballal can still be spotted in the campus either playing tennis or badminton or taking his regular early morning walk.

Social Cause

He has actively supported social causes and has set up charity funds that help the underprivileged with basic education and healthcare support. He was President of the Lions District Club and later Regional Chairman of the Lions International. Dr HS Ballal has maintained his connection with his primary profession of being a Medical Radio- diagnostician. In 2008, he co-authored a book Peeping inside the human body which aimed at unraveling myths and mysteries connected to Radiology for the lay person as well as doubled as a handbook for medical students.

Many Achivements

Having received scores of honors and awards, most recent being the IBM Inspiring Vice Chancellor of the year award and the Education Personality of the Year Award, Dr Ballal cherishes the close relationships he shares with friends, faculty and students at the University. He is also conferred “Vocational Excellence Award” instituted by Rotary Club of Mangalore in recognition of his achievements in the field of medical education and in health care sector in the year 2009. Ever enthusiastic to promote cultural activities among the youth, he himself is an ardent admirer of Yakhshagana – a popular traditional dance form of Karnataka.

Born in the Hebri Beedu family of Udupi District in June 1941 as the eldest of the five sons of Mr Belinje Sanjiva Hegde and Mrs Prapulla Hegde, Dr HS Ballal is happily married to Smt. Indira Ballal, a gracious homemaker who is actively involved in art forms such as Tanjore paintings. Some of her heart-warming work now accentuates the beauty of the homes of family and friends. The couple is blessed with two children – Sandeep and Supriya who are now well settled with families and careers of their own.

Apart from being the Pro Chancellor at Manipal University, Dr Ballal is also the Chairman of the Higher Education Committee of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry). The FICCI Higher Education Committee organizes annual summits with partner countries such as UK, USA and Canada. He is also a Director on the Boards of many companies that make up the Bangalore based Manipal Education and Medical Group. At present, he is the Secretary of Academy of General Education and member of Governing Council of MGM College, Udupi.