India, July 26 -- PUNE

Atul Kherde's life took a serendipitous turn in 2018 when he unexpectedly reconnected with an old friend, Dr Shilpa Gosavi, during a trek in the Himalayas. A seasoned anatomist, Dr Gosavi shared a troubling pattern she had observed over two decades of dissecting cadavers.

"The veins in the legs are increasingly problematic. We're seeing more blood pooling, which leads to clots-and in many cases, that's what causes death. One in every four diabetics in India risks developing foot ulcers that could lead to amputation. Every day in India, we witness 450 foot amputations," Dr Shilpa said.

What could have been a casual exchange between old friends sparked deeper curiosity in Atul. Dr Gosavi explained that the main cul...