The recent successful BRICS summit, along with the preceding talks that resolved several contentious issues, has helped create conducive conditions for improving India-China relations. This is good news for both countries and for world peace.
This is a good time to initiate steps that can strengthen people-to-people relations, including cooperation in film-making. Several well-made Indian films have, in the past, received an enthusiastic response in China. In this context, a more specific suggestion that could yield excellent results relates to the possibility of remaking an outstanding Hindi film, "Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani" (The Immortal Story of Dr. Kotnis).
The real-life story on which the film is based is full of dramatic and emotional moments, as well as examples of great courage and commitment. A new version of this film could be a source of inspiration for doctors and health personnel in particular, and for all public-spirited youth in general. If well made, it is likely to find a durable viewership not just in India and China, but all over the world.
The original film was made in India in 1946, based on a short story by K.A. Abbas titled 'One Who Did Not Come Back'. Abbas also wrote the screenplay. The film was produced and directed by V. Shantaram, who played the lead role, while the female lead was played by Jayashree. An English version of the film was released under the title "The Journey of Dr. Kotnis".
Dr. Dwarkanath Shantaram Kotnis was a capable, dedicated and courageous doctor from Solapur, India, who went to help the people of China during the Second China-Japan War in 1938. A request for medical help had been sent to Jawaharlal Nehru by the Chinese, and Subhash Chandra Bose raised the resources to send a medical team of five doctors. Dr. Kotnis became deeply involved in this work. Several accounts describe how he worked so tirelessly that he neglected his own health. On one occasion, he is reported to have cared for patients non-stop for 72 hours. In a single battle, he treated 800 soldiers. He eventually became the director of the Dr. Bethune International Peace Hospital in China.
Amid all the struggles and hard work, romance found the space to blossom. Dr. Kotnis married Guo Qinglan, a Chinese nurse, and they had a child.
During this entire period of about four years, Dr. Kotnis kept his family in India well-informed about his life in an entirely new country through detailed letters. However, these letters spoke mostly of happier moments and held back news of the dangers and health problems to which the young doctor was exposing himself through his difficult and high-risk work.
Tragedy struck in 1942, when Dr. Kotnis died at the age of only 32, owing to health problems arising from his tireless work. His contributions and sacrifice have been remembered by the Chinese as well as in India. Chinese leaders visiting India generally make it a point to meet members of Dr. Kotnis's family. A memorial has been built in China in his honour, and he is remembered there, especially on Martyrs' Day.
The film made by V. Shantaram is regarded as one of the gems of Indian cinema and can still be seen on YouTube (the Hindi version). A film on Dr. Kotnis was also made in China, although not much is known about it.
Making a new film on Dr. Kotnis, independently by India or, better still, as a joint India-China co-production, would be a wonderful idea in present-day conditions. Other ways of taking forward this inspiring story, such as books, can also be explored. What is particularly inspiring about the medical mission of which Dr. Kotnis was a part is that this initiative was taken by India at a time when the country was still fighting for its own freedom. Yet the leaders of the freedom movement were so broad in their vision and commitment that they found the time and resources to mobilise a medical team for China. And despite the extremely difficult and dangerous conditions that awaited them in war-torn China, young doctors, including 28-year-old Kotnis, came forward willingly and courageously to take up the challenge.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include When the Two Streams Met (freedom movement), Man over Machine (Vision of Mahatma Gandhi) and A Day in 2071. His website is bharatdogra.in
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