Dr Ranu, Medical Scientist in Lhasa, Tibet (Roof of the World)

Dr Harcharan Singh Ranu, President, American Orthopaedic Biomechanics Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (Native of Nabha, Punjab) became the first Indian to travel to Lhasa, Tibet (roof of the world) by train from Beijing. Train journey took over 47 hours. Train was supplied with oxygen at Golmud station early hours of the morning to take care of the high altitude demand of oxygen. At this station train was fully oxygenated to take care of the altitude all the way to Lhasa (an altitude of over 13000 feet).

While in Lhasa Dr Ranu visited the Potala Palace, Center of Religion and Politics for centuries and one time seat of the present Dalai Lama (the Noble Peace Prize Winner). The Palace is a must to visit for every Tibetan in their life time. Monks and other Tibetans from all walks of life climb to the top of the Palace and one can see the Buddha in 1000 and one different poses and moods, which one can also see in Kyoto, Japan. All around the Palace one can see the devotation and dedication of Tibetans to their religion. It is like going to Golden Temple, Amritsar (for Sikhs), Shankar Archaria Muth (for Hindus), and Mecca (for Muslims). The same can be seen in other monasteries and around Lhasa. Another fact which I came across while talking to Chinese in Lhasa that they have no knowledge of their religion or other religions for that matter. Also every corner of Lhasa and other worship shrines one can see the heavy presence of Chinese police.

From Left to Right: Professors Wang Rencheng, Harcharan Singh Ranu, Jin Dewen, Hao Zhixiu, and Jia Xiaohong.
Tsinghua University Faculty

While in Lhasa, Dr Ranu also visited and met the President of the Tibet University Medical College Professor (Dr) Ouzhu Luobu, Professor of Surgery and both agreed to carry out mutual research in Orthopaedic Biomechanics related to high altitude.

In Beijing, Dr Ranu gave an invited lecture on his research at the Tsinghua University, Department of Intelligence and Biosystems. Dr Ranu, covered such subjects as: 3-D human gait analysis normal and pathological. He highlighted various aspects of diabetic foot syndrome and the use of special shoe, such as gel bubble, to prevent high forefoot pressures. Development of laserectomy technique to relieve low back pain. Simulation of sports injuries in different sports and 3-D computer surgical simulations of spine and highlighted presence of highly stressed areas during laminectomy surgical procedure.

Dr. Ranu developed the laserectomy technique to relieve the low back pain for herniated human spinal disc, it works on the principle that a small reduction in volume of the nucleus by laser ablation results in an exponential drop in intradiscal pressure in the nucleus (Ranu’s Principle). Dr Ranu also has coined the word “Laerectomy”

Dr. Ranu is also a Consultant to St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Medical Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and Adjunct Professor of Orthopaedic Biomechanics, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, Adjunct Professor, New York University Medical School, V.A. Medical Center, New York, Adjunct Staff Nassau County Medical Center, and Consultant to Scientists' Institute for Public Information-Media Resource Service, New York.

Dr. Ranu is also a Visiting Professor at medical teaching institutions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, India. Japan, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey and the U.K.

Dr Ranu has touched all the continents where we live. He has been 8 times around the world. He intends to touch the South Pole because of an Indian beggar , who said to him at an early age that he will travel around the World, which has come true.

Dr Harcharan Singh Ranu, President, American Orthopaedic Biomechanics Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (Native of Nabha, Punjab)

• Dr. Ranu is a Consultant for the American Orthopaedic Biomechanics Research Institute and a Visiting Research Scientist at the Rizzoli Orthopaedics Institute, Italy. He has been a Professor & Director of Doctoral Program at Life University, in Marietta, GA and previously, Professor & Chair of the Dept. of Biomechanics at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ranu received his Doctoral degree from the University of Westminster & the Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, England for his research on the ÒEffects of Ionizing Radiation on the Mechanical Properties of Skin".