Remembering Dr Kotnis

Rup Narayan Das on the legendary doctor, the harbinger of China-India ties, whose death anniversary fell on December 9

AT a time when India-China relations are fluctuating between warmth and occasional hiccups, it is propitious to recall the contribution of Dr Dwarakanath Kotnis, the legendary doctor, whose death anniversary fell on December 9.

Japan had attacked China on July 7, 1937, and occupied Peking (Beijing). Contrary to Japanese expectations, the Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) government in Nanking did not yield. Instead, it forged a united front with the communists to face the aggression. The Kuomintang and the communists, represented by the Red Army, reorganised its guerilla forces into the Eight Route army and the New Fourth Army. These units were duly recognised by the Kuomintang-led nationalist government and sent to North China and East China fronts, respectively, to take part in the war of resistance.

Jawaharlal Nehru, who weaved the foreign policy of India, was anguished at the atrocities perpetrated by the Japanese army on the Chinese. He spoke up for the Chinese people and aroused mass support for them. In this context, Marshal Zhu De, commander of the Eight Route Army, wrote a letter to Nehru expressing gratitude for the moral support of Indian people, and appealed for medical supplies, surgical instruments and aid to train the doctors and nurses. Zhu De’s appeal stirred Nehru to give a call for China Solidarity Day throughout India on January 9, 1938. He also took the initiative to send a medical team with necessary supplies and instruments to China as a token of the Indian peoples’ sympathy and solidarity with the Chinese people in their struggle against colonialism and imperialism.

The medical team selected by a committee headed by Dr Jivraj Mehta, was led by Dr Mohanlal Atal and had in it Dr M.R. Cholkar, Dr Bijay Kumar Basu, Dr Deben Mukherjee and the young Dr Kotnis. The Indian medical mission to China was the first of its kind to be sent by any foreign country. Kotnis had just done his MBBS and was set on a career of further studies when the call came.

Yenan, in North Shanxi province, was the revolutionary base area set up by the Chinese communists on the lines of Soviets in Russia. It was here that the fighting was still going on and medical aid was necessary.

Looking at the competence and dedication of the Indian doctors, the Chinese left an entire hospital at Kweimow in their charge. It was the recognition of organisational ability and medical skill of the Indian medical mission. In their hospital at Kweimow, Dr Kotnis conducted a number of major and minor operations and cured hundreds of wounded soldiers for whom such medical facilities would have otherwise been impossible.

Dr Kotnis discharged his responsibilities with dedication despite personal difficulties. His father, in the meanwhile, passed away on December 28, 1938, under tragic circumstances. The economic backbone of the family was broken. Kotnis received the sad news with utmost mental courage and fortitude. Although he was deeply saddened, he maintained his poise and spirit of service and remained committed to the mission of his life.

Though, basically he was a medical practitioner, he identified himself with the Chinese cause virtually leading the life of a proletarian comrade. He fell in love with Guo Qinglan, a medical practitioner in the Eighth Route Army in 1939. Their love culminated in marriage in November 1941. Kotnis developed proficiency in Chinese language and political education with the help of Guo Qinglan.

While his indomitable zeal never deterred him from discharging his duty, Kotnis developed serious illness towards the end of 1941 and his health started deteriorating fast. It is believed that he developed malaria, which was endemic at that time. The best medical facilities and attention was offered to him by the Chinese authorities. In spite of this, however, he died on December 9, 1942, at the age of 32. His death was deeply mourned by the Chinese people and leaders. Rich tributes were paid to him when he died by leaders such as Mao Zedong Zhou Enlai, Zhu De and Madam Sun Yat-sen.

Zhou Enlai in a condolence letter to the bereaved Kotnis family wrote that Dr Kotnis was a symbol of friendship between the Chinese and Indian nations and a shining example of the Indian people, who took an active part in the common struggle against Japanese militarism and world fascism and would live forever in the hearts of the two great nations to whom he dedicated his life. The epitaph that Marshal Zhu De wrote on Kotnis’ tomb is worth mentioning. He wrote, "brought up on the banks of the Ganges, you came to take part in our struggle in the Shanxi-Qatar-Hebei Border Region. An international doctor, your radiance will illuminate our two great Nations".

To commemorate the invaluable service of Dr Kotnis during a crucial period, the Government of Republic of China inaugurated the Memoral Hall at Shih Chiach-hang, 250 km south of Beijing, on December 9, 1976, on the occasion of his 34th death anniversary. A postage stamp was also released by the Chinese government the memory of Dr Kotnis. One individual who in her own humble way kept the flame of China-India friendship alive is no less a person than the widow of Dr Kotnis, Guo Qinglan. So deep and abiding is the love and affection of Ms Guo Qinglan for her late husband, his family and for India that during the last so many years she had visited India five times.