Indiana State University will celebrate the naming of the Dipa Sarkar, M.D. Memorial Room on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. The Dipa Sarkar, M.D. Memorial Room was established by Rumu Sarkar to honor the legacy of her mother, Dr. Dipa Sarkar.
Dr. Dipa Sarkar and her husband, Dr. Anil Sarkar, became the first Indian American doctors in Terre Haute in 1969 and served local hospitals such as Union Hospital, Sullivan County Community Hospital, and Clay County Hospital. During her career, she practiced pathology and specialized in cancer research. Alongside her medical career, Dr. Sarkar instructed students at Indiana State University studying medicine and medical technology.
After retiring in 1990, Dr. Sarkar remained an involved and committed member of her local community and was involved as both a volunteer and board member of more than 50 organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Council on Domestic Abuse, the Vigo County Public Library, Catholic Charities, and the Vigo County History Center. Her lifelong dedication to service and support was recognized with a rosary from Saint Mother Teresa for her work as a medical student in Calcutta, a letter of appreciation from President Bill Clinton in 1996, and the 2013 Aspire Higher Award from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
In addition to establishing the Dipa Sarkar, M.D. Memorial Room, Rumu Sarkar has generously donated the painting ‘Le Jardin des Papillons’ (‘Garden of the Butterflies’) to Indiana State University, which will be displayed in the room. She has also gifted $35,000 to establish the Dipa Sarkar, M.D. Memorial Scholarship to recognize her mother’s enduring impact on her community and to support Indiana State students intending to attend medical school after graduation.
“I am deeply honored by Indiana State University’s celebration of my mother, Dipa Sarkar, M.D., by establishing an endowed scholarship and naming a room after her, which will now be a part of her enduring legacy,” said Rumu Sarkar. “My mother taught medical courses at Indiana State and inspired me to pursue teaching as well. I am delighted that she is being recognized more broadly for her decades of volunteer service to the Terre Haute community.”
To qualify for the Dipa Sarkar, M.D. Memorial Scholarship, students must be majoring in a pre-medical school field with the intention of attending medical school after graduation and must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This scholarship will play an instrumental role in supporting and preparing aspiring Sycamores to enter the medical field and serve their own communities.
“Dr. Dipa Sarkar’s legacy will continue to inspire and empower the students at Indiana State and the many individuals and communities she impacted in her life,” said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the Indiana State University Foundation. “We are profoundly grateful for Rumu’s gift, which will support and create meaningful opportunities for our pre-medical students.”
The dedication of this room will take place on the second floor of the College of Health and Human Services on Tuesday, July 8, at 3:30 p.m. with remarks and a dessert reception to follow. The public is welcome to attend.