Tribute to Dr Prodip Rudra Tariang

A known figure in the medical fraternity of Garo Hills, Dr Prodip Rudra Tariang passed away in Guwahati on March 2.  He was 73 and was the fifth child of Lolit Rudra Tariang and Sushila Rudra Tariang of Shillong. Dr Tariang suffered a hypertensive stroke while attending to one of his patients at his chamber in Tura on February 17 and was rushed to GNRC Hospital in Guwahati where he was placed in the intensive care unit (ICU).

With a medical career spanning over four decades, Dr Tariang had served with almost a missiory zeal attending to the ailing tirelessly for four long decades. As the medical superintendent of the oldest hospital in Garo Hills, the Tura Christian Hospital established by the American missiories, he attended to patients for 33 long years and continued doing so even post his retirement in 2007. A doctor with a soft voice, he was fondly called Dr Rudra by his patients and well-wishers.

Born on November 12, 1942, he did his Class X matriculation from St. Anthony’s, Shillong in 1960. He was also among the first batch of students to appear the Pre-University from St. Edmund’s College, Shillong in 1962. After completing his MBBS from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, in 1968, he worked at Jorhat Christian Medical Centre for four years before joining the Tura Christian Hospital in May 1974. In those days of the 70s and 80s when there was a dearth of medical doctors in the Garo Hills, it was to Dr Rudra Tariang that people turned to for medical advice and treatment.

After his retirement in March 2007, he continued attending to patients as private practitioner and also organized a few medical camps to provide free health check-up and medicines for the needy in the rural areas. The last thing Dr Tariang did was write out a prescription for one of his patients before collapsing at his chamber in February.

In recognition of his medical work and social services, the Meghalaya Government felicitated him with a citation on the 58thRepublic Day in 2007 in Tura.

His funeral service took place on March 4 at 2.00 pm in the Tura Baptist Church where a special prayer was held where more than 2,000 people had gathered. Before the service, the mortal remains of Dr Tariang were also taken to the place where he served for many long years -Tura Christian Hospital - where the medical fraternity who worked alongside him paid their last respects with a special prayer. He was cremated at 4.00 pm at the Tura Baptist Church graveyard in presence of his family members, relatives, well-wishers and others. Next day another prayer service was held at his home in Tura organized by his family members. He left behind his wife Jullia Okske Sangma, his son Debojit Rudra Sangma, his daughter-in-law. tasha R Marak, two grand children Derek Asher R. Marak and Norah R Marak, and daughter Audrey Okske Sangma.

— Rajib Rudra Tariang