Wunappa Gandhi Ramarao, a brilliant student since his school days, was the son of a freedom fighter. His academic excellence earned him a double FRCS from Edinburgh and London.

Armed with an MS (Ortho) on his return to India, he set about his goal of serving and rehabilitating the disabled. He worked tirelessly toward establishing the All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and was its Director for over two decades.

His work in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is acclaimed not only in India, but also internationally. He was awarded the Dr. B. C. Roy National Award in 1985. He was a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Cerebral Palsy for over a decade and was also involved in setting up of the Artificial Limb Centre in Pune. He was awarded the Dr. B. N. Sinha Meritorious Award in 2007 for his work in the rehabilitation of the disabled in Orthopaedics. He was also the proud recipient of the Vijaya Shree Award from the India International Friendship Society for enriching human life and outstanding achievement. It is no wonder then, that for all these services, he was chosen as the "Physiatrist of the Millennium".

His special interests rested in spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and adult handicap secondary to neuromuscular disorders. He had a special, soft corner for the disabled and was actively involved in the Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission, surveying and tackling the problems of the Adivasis and the tribals.

He was Editor of the Journal of Rehabilitation in Asia and the Indian Journal of Surgery (Orthopaedic Section) and also the Editor of the Indian Journal of Orthopaedic for two terms.

Today, the All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Mumbai stands in proud testimony of his pioneering, dedicated, selfless hard work.