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By Paritosh Pramanik
IN TIMES when the medical profession is reeling under charges of blindly going after commercialism, a city neurosurgeon has provided a booster dose of selfless service by helping a sportsman serving the country.
Indian hockey goalkeeper Akash Chikte, and who hails from Yavatmal, saw a big save made by Dr Pramod Giri of Neuron Hospital when the doctor performed a life saving surgery on his father absolutely free of cost.
Akash’s father Anil, a welder by profession, was suffering from a brain decease called aneurysm which can lead to vasospasm (sudden constriction of a blood vessel, reducing its diameter and flow rate) and multiple infarct. He needed immediate surgery costing lakhs of rupees.
Akash, hailing from Lohara village in Yavatmal, was on duty at BEG Pune when he received the news of his father’s ailment on Wednesday.
“My father was first taken to Sanjivani Hospital in Yavatmal where doctors referred him to Neuron. As I was in Pune my family members and friend Shahid bhai brought him to Nagpur in an ambulance,” said Akash.
“When Dr Pramod Giri came to know that I am an international and current India player he was more than happy to help and assured the best possible facilities to my father,” narrated Akash, who won the Asia Cup gold medal for India in 2016 and also won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
With his family already facing burden of loan, Akash was struggling to arrange money for the operation.
Dr Giri was generous to waive off all cost needed for the costly surgery.
“You have made the country proud, gave countrymen many happy moments with your stellar performance. Also, you serve the armed forces for whom I have a great respect. I feel honoured and privileged to help you in this hour of need,” Dr Giri told Akash.
An emotional Akash was lost for words to thank Dr Giri.
“I am highly indebted to Dr Giri. God works in many ways and I have seen it today. He is a god-send man for me. I can’t explain how much relieved I am now,” Akash told ‘The Hitavada’ after his father’s successful operation.
“I will now work harder to keep India’s flag flying high because such kind-hearted people follow us,” added Akash, who made his India debut in 2014 at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Tournament in Malaysia.
Dr Giri, who has successfully operated around 250 such cases, said the operation was successful and Anil was on recovery path.
“Clipping has been done successfully and Akash’s father is fine. The complications of the disease leads from vasospasm to cardiac abnormalities. All these have to be managed in the post-operative phase to take out the patient from the critical status,” added Dr Giri who was assisted by anesthetist Dr Shivaji Deshmukh.
For Akash, Dr Giri was like an elder brother counselling him in a difficult situation. He has to leave for the Indian hockey team’s conditioning camp for the forthcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Commonwealth Games beginning February 11.
When Akash narrated this peculiar situation, Dr Giri said, “Bindhast jaa... ???? kaalji karu nako.... Mee aahe na ithe tujhya baba sobat...changla khel desha sathi (Don’t worry....go and attend the camp. I am here to take care of your father. Do well for the country).”
This is one save Akash would never forget for the rest of his life!
DADA MITRA PASSES AWAY
A TRIBUTE
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Feb 21, 2018
ALL the arrangements were in place at Hinganghat to introduce a postage stamp on his 100th birthday. But God Almighty had other plans.
Durga Pado Mitra, fondly known as Dada Mitra by football lovers in central India and specially in Nagpur, fell six months short of completing his century.
Dada Mitra, aged 99, went for heavenly abode on early Wednesday morning (February 21) due to old age.
The last rites were performed same afternoon at Mokshadham where a large number of football and hockey lovers paid their last respect.
There was a wave of shock and disbelief among his well-wishers and friends as the news of Dada’s passing away spread.
Sports organiser Prof Dongarwar from Hinganghat had made all necessary arrangements to felicitate Dada on his 10th birthday. He had also sought necessary permission to introduce a postage stamp in Dada’s name. But that was not to be.
Dada, born on August 13, 1918, was not keeping well for past couple of weeks after he fell at his Surendra Nagar residence.
Dada, a 1991 Shiv Chhatrapati Award winner was known as ‘Bhishmapitamah of football’.
Even in life’s evening, barring last couple of weeks, Dada was glowing bright. Wherever there was football, Dada, in his trademark white dhoti-kurta would be seen. He was mad for soccer. His passion for football was alive till his last breath.
In his late 90s, an age when many retire from their daily routine, Dada was still going strong.
A few years back when this scribe met Dada at Triloki Nath Sidhra’s shop in Sitabuldi, Dada had said, “You are lucky to meet me today. I got my left eye operated recently and today is the first day I am out of my house.”
Dada was never an exceptional footballer but being a Bengali passion for soccer was in his blood since childhood. “I used to play for Dinanath High School, then played for Hislop College. But I was never an outstanding player. I was an average footballer and played at centre half, stopper and right-in positions,” Dada had once said during an interview.
Dada joined Central Railways in 1942 as a clerk and after serving for 34 years retired as head clerk in 1976.
Dada was the first Indian to become the secretary of Central Railway Institute Ajni after India gained Independence in 1947.
Interestingly, Dada never wanted to do a government job and was inclined towards business but after his father’s death he had to make this compromise. “My family was big. I was third in the family of seven brothers and two sisters. Being one of the elder brothers I had to look after them and hence joined Railways at a monthly salary of Rs 30,” Mitra had said.
After receiving the Chhatrapati Award, Dada, a down to earth man, had said, “This award was not for my success on the field but it was for what I did off it. I won the award in the best organiser category.”
Dada also served as secretary of Vidarbha Football Association in 1976. He was also secretary of Central Railway Institute, Ajni for 12 years where he was instrumental in organising many tournaments including Independence Cup hockey, kabaddi and kho-kho.
Dada’s love for football continued to grow with his age. He was instrumental in organising the YMCA football tournament for schools for 20 years.
Dada was also the first secretary of Nagpur District Football Association in 1976 and also served the association at various other posts. He was also the last serving Trustee and Patron of Vidarbha Hockey Association.
With the passing away of Dada, city has lost a genuine sports lover and administrator.
May his soul rest in peace.
