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| Papa-then and now |
The Christmas of 2016 was any anything but a celebration. Our dear father was fighting for his life while we dreaded the worst-losing our only parent. It took us some time to look beyond papa's passing and celebrate his life instead-a life that he so lovingly shared with us.
As we fondly reminisce the life of a father, doctor and husband, we recognize he was so much more: a loving and generous son, father-in-law and uncle.
My parents met during the third year of medical school (MBBS) in SCB Medical College. After they both completed post-graduation (MS) from PMCH (Patna Medical College and Hospital), papa went on a foreign assignment to Algeria as an Orthopedic specialist. His impeccable work ethic and upbeat personality earned him the respect of his peers and patients alike. Although he humbly credited some of his best learned skills to his mentor and renowned Swiss surgeon of the time.
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| My parents with their colleagues in Algeria |
After returning to India in the late eighties, papa joined Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar where he continued to expand his experience with different procedures, surgeries, etc. He was a phenomenal team player, who thrived in the face of adversity and loved to learn and grow while constantly encouraging and inspiring everyone alongside. He was passionate about his profession and strove to find creative solutions in both life and work. His patients believed his vibrant and jovial demeanor was half the cure.
In his last years, following the death of our mother and his beloved wife, Dr. Sabita Mahanti, papa missed her absence tremendously. Nevertheless, he refused to succumb to that. Instead he took it up a notch with physical activity. He proved that true strength is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles. As they say once a sportsman, always a sportsman!
Papa stood strong, independent and continued to work in the same clinic, which they both passionately established and grew during their life time. He will always be fondly remembered him for his larger than life personality. A man of steel indeed!
