Chinese President Hu Jintao, on India visit, to meet family on November 23.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, on India visit, to meet family on November 23.
MUMBAI: The name Dr Dwarkanath Shantaram Kotnis will ring a bell in the minds of few Indians today. However, our counterparts in China are well versed with Dr Kotnis’ name and his work on the Chinese war front
Manorama and Dr Vatsala Kotnis speak with pride about their brother, who went to treat patients in the Sino-Japanese war in 1938. For many decades, the Chinese government ensured that their children remember the Indian doctor’s efforts. But the Indian government is yet to recognize him.
“Even today, the Chinese government observe Dr Kotnis’ death anniversary. They have included a lesson in school history textbooks and a hospital in Beijing has formed a medical team in his memory. They hold four medical camps in the interiors of China every year,” said Dr Vatsala, Dr Kotnis’ younger sister.
Since Dr Kotnis died on December 9, 1942, the Chinese government has called on his family and felicitated them for the efforts in saving their people during the war.
“Had it not been for V Shantaram, Indians would not have heard of our brother saving lives on the war front. Amara Chitra Katha wrote on him, and for two years some books had mentioned Dr Kotnis. But our government ignored him,” says Manorama, the older sister of Dr Kotnis.
Manorama adds, “It is not correct to compare the efforts of many leaders who fought for freedom in India to my brother’s. He was a truly global citizen. He toiled hard in severe war conditions to save lives of people of another country. He and his colleagues rebelled with the Chinese authorities to go to the war front. This work is unique.”
The older sister said the patients were all kept in caves to protect them during the war.
The sisters visited China five times, especially on his death anniversary, when Kekung village comes together to share experiences on Dr Kotnis. Those who were young when they interacted with Dr Kotnis remember him fondly.
“They have restored our brother’s house with the nameplate, his furniture, things have been preserved and the house’s interiors have been maintained. Villagers who interacted with him shared their experiences and spoke of his efforts,” says Manorama.
The sisters remember their brother fondly. Dr Kotnis had left their family home in Sholapur to study in Pune and Mumbai. He was in Sir JJ Medical College when he left for China on a medical mission. However, before his departure, Dr Kotnis regularly spent time with his family.
“He was very jovial and spread happiness. He was very socially committed and helpful. He had participated in the satyagraha movement and students’ movements and would always wear khadi,” says Dr Vatsala.
She adds, “He would buy gifts for us. He would buy old Hindi film records of Kanan Bala and KL Saigal and listen to them. He would play badminton and carom with us.”
Dr Kotnis is survived by his wife Dr Guo Chuing Lan, who lives in China. They lost their son when he was 24 due to gastro complications. Today, in the families of five sisters and three brothers, there are 15 to 16 doctors. The sisters are hopeful the Indian government will spread word on Dr Kotnis in India soon.
Chinese President Hu Jintao is on an official visit to India and has called nine members of the Kotnis family to Taj Hotel on November 23.
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