Where are the medals?
This is my fifth post from the series “Ricordare”. (Read my previous posts in the first comment)
We all use words like empathy, selflessness, integrity & values in our daily life. However, there are few people who live by these words.
These selfless individuals have done great acts to ensure our belief in selflessness remains.
I’ve been fortunate enough to know one such individual in my personal space. He has been my father’s guardian during his university days, and I am proud to share his story with you all. Those who are residents of Varanasi, most probably, would’ve grown up hearing stories of Padma Shri Prof T.K. Lahiri.
If you’re somewhere around the BHU campus in Varanasi, and between the medical college and working women hostel, you could spot a weary old man with a black umbrella and droopy shoulders walking at 7 am or even in the evening while returning from the hospital.
The stethoscope around his neck will help you narrow down his profession, but you may wonder how come such a lean fellow is still roaming around campus at this age.
Well, Prof Lahiri retired in 2006, but he is still working as professor emeritus (for which he doesn’t accept a salary, he is giving his services to humanity at free of cost after his retirement) at the same Hospital, i.e., Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU Varanasi.
He was awarded Padma Shri for his services, an apt recipient of the prestigious award — Padma Shri for “distinguished service”. Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in India after Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna.
I met him in Varanasi last week, in the same flat which he was allocated during his lecturership, refused up-gradation saying “Even this house is too much for me”.
“What brings you to Varanasi, Lord Shiva and Maa Annapurna?”
“Yes, but we all are here to meet you”
“Meet me, wow, but I am like fossils now!”
We spent our evening with him, and throughout my interaction — I was amazed by his simplicity and way of living. In the past two decades of my visit to his house, nothing has changed — he still offers biscuit and Frooti to visitors as he cannot prepare Tea/ Coffee, he survives on Bread & Milk for his dinner, takes Lunch in the Hospital canteen, and no fancy footwear/ dress.
Born in Calcutta, after finishing his MBBS from Calcutta, he has done FRCS in surgery in 1969 from England and MCH in thoracic surgery in 1972 from the same institution, before joining AIIMS and then later BHU in 1974.
During his working days, he used to offer a large share of his salary to those in need in General wards. He didn’t marry as he believed he is already married to his profession.
Prof Lahiri never did any private practice, and only attended patients in the hospital in a proper queue. No one is VIP for him, and his patient list in the queue includes Ministers, the riches, the reputed, the blessed ones and the needy ones.
One such popular story about Lahiri Uncle is from his practise days. A rich father with folded hands, offered him, “ Please save my son, I can pay you whatever amount you want”
“Ah, you think you can buy Lahiri with money? Do you have a lot of money? Please clear all the bills of general ward patients once your son is fine.”
Out of curiosity, I asked him — “Uncle where is the Padma Shri Medal? I want to see it”
“Amm”, he thought for a while, “ Maybe in my office drawer along with other documents. What use is it at home?”
In times where we post even our smallest achievements are posted as stories and reels on social media; the immaculateness of this gentleman appealed to my heart.
If you liked this monologue, I would recommend doing a Google search for Prof T.K. Lahiri to learn more about this saint.
