Dr. Anand Nadkarni

The name Dr Anand Nadkarni has been buzzing past my ear for the last forty years, on and off, for various reasons. During my days at KEM hospital in Mumbai first as a medical student and then as a resident I would frequently go meet my mentor Dr Sharadini Dahanukar in the department of pharmacology. Most of the time her kind words were enough to give me reassurance during times of stres, particularly when exams were approaching. A few times when I was waiting for her outside her office I would see her walk out in the company of Dr Nadkarni with who she worked closely on some projects. A tall guy with a very pleasant persona, it was hard not to notice him. The two of them were in deep conversations but his demeanor never appeared too serious. Dr Dahanukar would softly tell me to come later as they headed to the hospital wards. Those were the only instances when I saw Dr Nadkarni in person. Never had a chance to talk to him. There was one point in my life during the KEM days when I was so much in dumps that Dr Dahanukar suggested she can set up an appointment with Dr Nadkarni to counsel me. It never came to that. Somehow I navigated my life. 

In later years I would hear about the great work he had undertaken in the field of psychiatry/ psychology especially to rehabilitate people afflicted by substance abuse. More recently when I collaborated with Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune starting 2023 to set up the department of Preventive Medicine the department hired the services of Ms Sonali Kale, clinical psychologist who was affiliated with Muktangan, the institution started by Dr Nadkarni in Pune to help people with substance abuse. I would hear all the glorious stories about Dr Nadkarni from Ms Kale. There was only good things one could hear about Dr Nadkarni from any source. Never a controversy. Never an ounce of criticism. From Sonali I came to know about his stroke and resulting limitations in travels. 

Yesterday out of nowhere I saw a post from Shri Prakash Amte, who incidentally had inaugurated the department of Preventive Medicine at DMH in 2023. It was from Mr Amte’s post that I learned that Dr Nadkarni had passed away. The immediate reaction was to contact Sonali and check the details and express my heartfelt condolences. She was on her way to Thane to meet the family. I learned from her that Dr Nadkarni had been recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, had undergone surgery on May 6th, was recovering and out of the ICU the day before, then suddenly developed complications and could not be saved. 

What has followed is a public outpouring of grief for Dr Nadkarni. Personal anecdotes paint a consistent portrait of an extraordinary man with a rare combination of a brilliant mind and a compassionate heart with a remarkable ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. People have written about his talents beyond his professional career and his understanding of spiritual literature. The one sentiment I see in every post is a feeling of personal loss. And emphatic mention of what a loss it has been for the society. 

That last sentence got me thinking. 

It is natural for many to grieve when a man who did so much for the world suddenly passes away. That feeling is impossible to avoid despite one’s utmost understanding about the finitude of life. But when the immediate aftermath and its accompanying emotional upheaval subsides the focus would move to reflection rather than regret. Gratitude rather than grief. Treasure rather than void. 

The man gave the world everything he had with wide open arms till the last day he breathed on earth. Everything is going to be there for generations to make use of. To benefit from. His thoughts, his writings, his approach to life, his recorded interviews, his institutions. Plus all collective anecdotes from the people who worked with him closely or saw him from close quarters. Everything is left behind for anyone who needs it. The flesh and bones have to retire at some time. It is foolish to expect these to linger beyond its scheduled time. None of us has the power to change the schedule of two events, birth and death. 

Death has brought a focus on the man and the man is everything but the flesh and bones. So high time we focus on him rather than his appearance. Not just reflect on the difference he made but what part of him we could absorb and make it part of ourselves. Men like Dr Nadkarni do not pass away. They live forever. They inspire. They lead the way. They serve as living examples of Vedanta. May the world live with the gratitude it owes to Dr Nadkarni than drown in grief and fail to see that he exists amongst us even today in many different ways.