Girija Nath Sen was the first principal and head of the department of surgery at Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur, India and director of medical health services, Jaipur. He was a descendant of a distinguished Bengali family who migrated to the princely state of Jaipur in the late 19th century from 24 Parganas in west Bengal. His grandfather, Rai Bahadur Sansar Chandra Sen, originally a high school teacher, became the dewan (prime minister) of Jaipur state. His father, Abinash Chandra Sen, served Jaipur as private secretary to Maharaja Madho Singh II and was appointed dewan after his father’s death. His mother was Sarala Devi. Girija Nath Sen was the fourth son, amongst ten siblings. Girija Nath Sen embarked on a remarkable journey marked by resilience, intellect and unwavering determination. He attended the Central Hindu School, Varanasi, established by Annie Besant in 1898. He was then enrolled at the Scottish Church Collegiate School in Calcutta. There he not only matriculated in the coveted first division but also laid the foundation for his future pursuits. He decided on a career in medicine and joined the R G Kar Medical College in Calcutta. In 1929 he was awarded a medal for being first in anatomy. In 1932, he achieved his MB BS degree, receiving the Rai Dr Soorjee Coomar Sarbadhikari Bahadur gold medal for being first in medicine and the Goodeve silver medal in surgery for the second position. His excellence extended across various subjects, earning him an overall top position among successful students in his graduating class. His selfless commitment to his craft was evident as he went abroad despite financial constraints after the early death of his father. He borrowed money from his elder brother and took a passage on a cargo ship embarking from Colombo. In 1935, soon after he arrived in London, he passed the MRCS LRCP at the first attempt and, a year later, became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, also at his first attempt. He returned to Jaipur and joined the government service as the first surgeon at the Mayo Hospital. He later moved to the newly built Lady Willingdon Hospital. When the Sawai Man Singh Medical College was established in 1947, he was appointed as the first principal. He continued to be a professor and head of the department of surgery until his retirement. In 1949 he also became the director of medical and health services. He retired from government service in 1952 but continued to run a private surgical nursing home. He was described as a general surgeon in the true sense, covering ENT, orthopaedics and gynaecological work. Many surgeons later eminent in various fields were trained by him. After his return to Jaipur, he found it difficult to purchase surgical instruments, so he collaborated with local craftsmen to make all sorts of instruments and orthopaedic frames and splints. Sen died on 7 January 1987, aged 82, and was survived by his wife Leela and two sons. His elder son Shantonu was the joint director of the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation. His younger son, Goutam, is a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and professor and head of the cardiothoracic and vascular unit at SMS Medical College, Jaipur. His grandson, Jayant Sen, keeps the legacy going and is an orthopaedic surgeon. Girija Nath Sen’s journey was not merely a chronicle of surgical triumphs but a saga of tenacity, passion and an undying quest for knowledge. His legacy serves as an enduring inspiration for generations to come.