From prescription to description: Bilingual travelogue by Dr Manmath Nath released

Oct. 18: A busy physician, who throughout his life served in different positions in the three Medical Colleges of Assam- Silchar Medical College, Gauhati Medical College & Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh. Post-retirement, he was again engaged in several health institutions in Northeast India including Tripura Medical College, Agartala. With stethoscope around his neck and pen in his hand for writing prescriptions, Dr. Manmath Nath, a renowned cardiologist was seen busy treating patients. However, the love of literature was always alive in his heart of hearts. The pen which he used for writing prescriptions soon paved the way for depicting descriptions of two nations which he visited in the recent past.

On Monday, two books (travelogue) authored by Dr. Manmath Nath “Amar Bidesh Bhromon” (আমার বিদেশ ভ্রমণ) in Bengali which is a description of his travel in Bangladesh and Germany and “My Memoirs of Germany”, written in English were released. The book released programme held at Green Park, Silchar was graced by eminent Folk Scholar Dr Amalendu Bhattacharjee, Journalist & one of the main pillars of Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan Taimur Raja Choudhury, veteran physicians Dr SK Nandi Purkayastha, Dr Satya Ranjan Bhattacharjee, Dr Sujit Kumar Bhattacharjee and ofcourse the author himself, Dr Manmath Nath.

The Bengali travelogue “Amar Bidesh Bhromon” (আমার বিদেশ ভ্রমণ) was jointly released by the dignitaries on the dias. However, the author got the English version of his travelogue “My Memoirs of Germany” released by the journalists who went there for the programme coverage, namely, Paplu Das, Shanku Sharma, Himu Laskar, Ankhi Das, Sudarshan Gupta, Dilip Nath, Arindam Gupta, Biswakalyan Purakayastha, Biswaraj Bhattacharjee, Yogesh Dubey and Uttam Kumar Saha.

The books were published by Ratna Nath, wife of Dr. Nath. The author attributed both these books in the name of his “two darling grandchildren, Akash & Archita” who stays in abroad.

What seems to be more interesting about these books is its lucid narration. Moreover, Dr Manmath Nath not only provided descriptions of the places he visited in Bangladesh and Germany, but also provided an outline history of the two countries. Before introducing the places he saw in Germany, the author provided a brief historical account of Germany followed by the people with whom he interacted and also presented an account of the culture and society of that nation. This brief description has enabled the readers to find interest in the topic and visualise the places about whom he has written in his travelogue.

During the book release programme, Dr Amalendu Bhattacharjee, who indeed inspired Dr Manmath Nath to compile his writings in the form of a book said, “These descriptions are a real treasure for us. Though earlier many of his travel accounts were published in local daily Samayik Prasanga, but now these were published in a book form. Though it is very difficult for a doctor to find spare time, but Dr Nath indeed stole moments from his busy schedule. This has become possible due to his love for literature.

Taimur Raja Choudhury too applauded Dr Manmath Nath for publishing the two books. He said, “Both Dr Nath and Dr Satya Ranjan Bhattacharjee regularly attend the meetings of Banga Sahitya Sammelan, thereby inspiring the office bearers to move ahead with renewed interest. He also highlighted the fact that such an attempt could only be possible for a man who has got immense love and dedication for literature and literary activities.” Taimur Raja Choudhury also made an appeal to Assam University through the media so that copies of the books can be procured by the library of the varsity. He also urged upon the proprietor of Batayan (Gol Dighi Mall), Govinda Kangshabanik, who was present during the occasion, to make a visible display of both these two books.

Dr Manmath Nath’s physician colleagues, Dr SK Nandi Purkayastha, Dr Satya Ranjan Bhattacharjee, Dr Sujit Kumar Bhattacharjee candidly said that while they were busy with their patients, Dr Nath successfully combined both the tasks of a writer and a doctor. They also narrated how Dr Nath used to be the centre of attraction of all literary and cultural activities which used to take place at Medical colleges during their service life.

Dr Nath also donated his books to two of the school children. Former college teacher and a writer herself, Sunanda Nandy Purkayastha also showered lofty praises upon Dr Nath for his creativity. The author Dr Nath in his speech said that as a school student, he wanted to study literature but ultimately had to step in the world of medicine. To this, Sekhar Debroy, President of Sammilito Sanskritik Mancha said, “Even by not studying literature formally, Dr Manmath Nath has indeed enlisted his name in the literary coterie.” The entire programme was compered by Prosenjit Choudhury.