Banoo Jehangir Coyaji

Banoo Jehangir Coyaji (7 September 1917 – 15 July 2004) was an Indian physician and activist in family planning and population control. She was director of King Edward Memorial Hospital in Pune, and started programmes of community health workers in rural areas of Maharashtra, the third largest state in India. She became an advisor to the union government and an internationally recognised expert.

Biography Early life Banoo Pestonji Kapadia was born in Mumbai on 7 September 1917 into a Parsi family. Her father was a well known civil engineer by the name of Pestonji Kapadia. At a young age, Banoo was sent to live with her grandparents in Pune where she experienced a life of wealth and luxury. Her parents' constant visits and her close relationship with her grandparents led her to live a self-proclaimed fulfilled childhood.

Education While living with her grandparents, Banoo became the first girl to matriculate from St. Vincent's, an all boys school, and attended the Convent of Jesus and Mary where she often placed first in rankings. Dr. Edulji Coyaji suggested Dr. Banoo Jehangir Coyaji for the job and six months later, she assumed the position of Chief Medical Officer.

Awards and recognition 1989 – Padma Bhushan 1992 – Punyabhushan Award 1993 – Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service

Interests Banoo had a persistent interest in literature that was passed on to her from her father. She pursued this interest through her involvement in the Sakal Group of Newspapers as its director for 30 years. In addition to this, she obtained honorary degrees in literature in 1994 from the University of Pune and SNDT University.

She also learned Western classical music during her time at the Convent of Jesus and Mary and enjoyed playing piano at her grandparents' house. Banoo performed for examiners from London's Trinity College of Music.

In addition to literature and music, Banoo enjoyed attending parties and ballroom dancing with her husband, Jehangir.