Consul General of China in Kolkata Zha Liyou (center) inaugurates the book "Doctor and Internationalist Dwarkanath Kotnis" with its authors on Sept 8, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

A book on legendary physician Dwarkanath Kotnis, who sacrificed his life for China’s war against Japanese aggression during World War II, was recently launched in Kolkata, India.

Zha Liyou, Consul General of People's Republic of China in Kolkata, said Kotnis’ sacrifice is a milestone in India-China friendship during the inauguration of the book Doctor and Internationalist Dwarkanath Kotnis: A Memorial Volume on Sept 8.

At the time of Kotnis’ death, Chinese leader Mao Zedong said that they had lost a life savior and friend. His dedication and perseverance turned him into an example for Sino-Indian friendship and collaboration

“We should inherit and carry forward the spirit of Dr. Kotnis to promote between China and India,” Zha said.

The Dr. Kotnis Memorial Committee (DKMC) took the initiative to launch the book to mark the golden jubilee celebration of DKMC.

Written in Chinese, Hindi and English, the book is an anthology of articles and was written by DKMC members and numerous experts on Kotnis to disseminate information about his life and his great work among the youth of both countries.

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The book is all about based on the remarkable story of Kotnis, the doctor from Maharashtra’s Sholapur town who travelled to China in 1938 as part of a medical mission during the Second Sino-Japanese War between 1937 and 1945 and his heroic selfless efforts for Chinese soldiers and mankind, said Mrigendranath Gantait, DKMC president and one of the writers of the book.

At the request of Chinese leader Zhu De, the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, sent a five-member team of doctors to China to show solidarity with the Chinese in their fight against Japanese fascist aggression, according to historians.

A five-member team of doctors, including M. Attal, M. Cholkar, Debesh Mukherjee, B.K. Basu and Kotnis. All of them returned except Kotnis, who decided to stay in China.

Kotnis died in China at the age of 32 in December 1942, due to the enormous stress of his work during four years of treating wounded and sick Chinese.

Kotnis grew up on the soil of India but sacrifice his life on the land of China, to support the Chinese people's war against Japanese invaders, said Zha.

Chairman Mao Zedong meets the members of the Indian Medical Mission during China's National Day celebrations in Beijing in October 1957. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

At the time of Kotnis’ death, Chinese leader Mao Zedong said that they had lost a life savior and friend. His dedication and perseverance turned him into an example for Sino-Indian friendship and collaboration.

To commemorate Kotnis and his indelible contribution to the cause of the Chinese people's liberation, Hebei residents erected a statue for him and built the Dr Kotnis Memorial Hall, where he had passed away, for future generations to pay their tributes, Zha said.

There is also a hospital called Kotnis China-India Friendship Hospital, and a school of medical care named Kotnis Vocational College in China’s Hebei province, he said.

Kotnis’ great name is a monument of China-India friendship deeply engraved in China and will be shining forever, Zha added.

DKMC president Gantain noted that, despite hearing news of his father's death, Kotnis did not return to India and instead reaffirmed his commitment to continue his work in China"

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If the doctor's selfless acts are written properly to the next generations, this can surely help promote understanding between India and China, he added.

Gantait said Kotnis treated over hundreds of wounded Chinese soldiers, performing a record 585 surgeries in 13 days and even working non-stop for 72 hours without any sleep.

The spirit of Kotnis’s dedication and selfless service should be cultivated in all countries, he added.

Other experts and authors of the book emphasized that the story of Kotnik's life and work must be properly written, and that the book can explore the path of two great neighbors to friendship and rejuvenation.

With the mission to carry forward Kotnis's legacy, spread his ideals, and promote Indo-China friendship, Basu founded the DKMC in 1973.

Kotnis and Basu devoted their lives to the cause of Chinese liberation and formed the lasting bloom of India-China friendship. Their touching deeds and noble characters will always be remembered in the hearts of the Chinese people, Zha said.

He said India-China relations play a more important role in the region and the world and the two countries should cooperate and seek common development.

“Let us carry forward the great spirit of Dr Kotnis and work together to push forward the cause of India-China friendship,” he added.