From Dissecting Bodies to Solving Civic Issues: Nagpur's Kiran Manpiya's Remarkable Journey
In a unique transition from medical service to public service, former Mayo Hospital employee Kiran Manpiya has been elected as a corporator in the recently concluded Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections. The 62-year-old, who spent 22 years conducting autopsies on over 45,000 bodies, now plans to apply his meticulous approach to addressing civic problems in his ward.
A Career Built on Service and Dedication
Manpiya's journey began humbly as a Class 8 pass-out who joined Mayo Hospital as a sanitation worker in 1984. During his initial years, from 1984 to 2000, he assisted medical students by dissecting animals for academic purposes, demonstrating early aptitude for detailed work. His dedication caught the attention of superiors, leading to a posting in the autopsy department where he would spend the next two decades.
In this role, Manpiya assisted in and conducted more than 45,000 autopsies, earning recognition from doctors and medical students for his skill and commitment. Colleagues frequently acknowledged his precision and professionalism in handling sensitive procedures.
Beyond Official Duties: Building Community Connections
While his official work involved postmortems, Manpiya extended his service beyond the autopsy room. He became known for helping patients and their families navigate complex hospital procedures, building strong community connections particularly in north Nagpur where he resides in Vinoba Bhave Nagar.
"Society often looks at autopsy workers negatively, but I was never ashamed of my work," Manpiya reflected. "I saw it as service, and my family's support gave me strength." This attitude helped him overcome the stigma sometimes associated with his profession.
Political Entry After Decades of Public Service
For most of his career, Manpiya stayed away from active politics, focusing instead on his hospital work and social outreach. After retiring in 2021, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and continued his social work under the party's banner, maintaining his commitment to community service.
In the recent NMC elections, Manpiya contested from Prabhag 3, which includes Yashodhara Nagar, Vitabhatti, Sangharsh Nagar and the Wanjra industrial area. His victory represents a shift from decades of medical service to formal political representation.
New Role: Applying Medical Precision to Civic Problems
As a newly elected corporator, Manpiya intends to focus on addressing civic issues in his ward with the same dedication he brought to his medical work. He plans to draw on his decades of public-facing experience, which was rooted in service rather than politics.
"I intend to bring the same attention to detail to solving civic problems that I brought to my work in the autopsy room," Manpiya stated, emphasizing his commitment to practical problem-solving over political posturing.
His election represents an interesting case of professional expertise transitioning to public governance, with Manpiya bringing unique perspectives from his extensive experience with systematic procedures and community interaction.
