A tribute to Col (retd) Dr Mahananda Medhi

My maternal uncle, Col ( Retd) Dr. Mahananda Medhi breathed his last on August 13, 2020 in GNRC Hospital, Dispur. He was brought there the previous evening from his residence at Hengerabari following complaints of chest pain. An illustrious son of Assam, Col (Retd) Dr Medhi glittered brilliantly in his every field of action, be it in India or abroad. Col Dr Medhi epitomised ebullience and joie de vivre in everything he did – from fighting a war, to crossing a desert, to being the life of every gathering, to being the advisor to the late Sultan Qaboose, the illustrious ruler of Oman.

He was the eldest of four brothers and two sisters born to Kanak Prabha Medhi and Panchanan Medhi of Nagarbera in the then Kamrup district. My mother Dr. Deepali Deka was his youngest sister. Panchanan Medhi, a renowned educator, was the founder Headmaster of the Sapatgram Amalgamated Academy and a President's awardee. Col Medhi completed his early education in Dhubri, and his ISc from St Edmunds' College, Shillong, thereafter enrolling in the MBBS course at Gauhati Medical College. As the general secretary of the students' union of the college, he was instrumental towards the early development of its requisite infrastructure.

Having completed MBBS, he joined Indian Army as a Captain (doctor). In 1967, he went on deputation to the Oman Army serving there with distinction till his retirement in 1994. Due to his excellent service at every step, he got promoted to the rank of Colonel. Col Medhi was indeed a braveheart, fighting for the Oman Army as a Combat Medical Officer against the Dhofar Insurgents and emerging victorious. Such was his proficiency that he was promoted to the highest Post of Director General of Medical Services for the Oman Army and earned tremendous respect in Oman, including people from the palace. After retirement he remained for a couple of years in Dubai where his wife, my aunt, Dr Shanti Medhi served as the Head of Gynaecology at the American Hospital in Dubai.

On his return to India, he settled in Hengerabari, Guwahati. He was keenly interested in farming and was actively involved in the maintenance and affairs of his farm near Jajikona in Kamrup (rural).

An active member of the Art of Living, he was the Trustee of the Sri Sri Rural Development Programme under Art of Living with single-minded focus on empowering rural development in India and a mission to provide safe drinking water to more than 45,000 individuals by setting up community base water filter in every Panchayat.

He was fond of preserving ethnic items of Assam and was a serious collector of rare coins, armament and other rare items. Recently, he had organized a very valuable exhibition of his rare collections in his Hengerabari house which drew interest and applause from the public and the media.

He was a true son of the soil contributing liberally towards social causes. He had donated substantially for construction of the Chemistry building in the Bimala Prasad Chaliha College, Nagarbera. He also made great personal contribution toward the construction of the building of 'Burhagohain Than' and Shiva temple of Malancha in the suburbs of Nagarbera. He was always ready to extend his kind helping hand to anybody in need.

Col Medhi is survived by his wife, Dr Santi Medhi, son, Gunajit Medhi, who is settled in Boston as a Senior Director of Dell EMC, daughter-in-law, Tanya B. Barua and three grandchildren –Parthaneel, Kunaal and Alisha.

For me, Dangar Mama as I called him, was a pillar of strength, taking pride in my every action. Without my having to ask, he was always there with his words of encouragement in my moments of self-doubt, making me believe the worth of every struggle faced and every stand taken.

Col Medhi was a man of words and action. But words will never be enough to describe his indomitable persona. As they say, "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure." Col Medhi leaves behind a treasure trove to all whose lives he touched.

—Varnali Deka

Deputy Commissioner, Goalpara