Panchu Bhai & Bipin.'da at Quick studio closed in memory of Dr. Kalpataru Biswal

Dr. Kalpataru Biswal passed away ou 10th October 2009
One of the oldest practitioners of medicine, Dr. Kalpataru Biswal made Jagatsinghpur his place of work after passing his MBBS as one of the earliest batches from SCB Medical College. A great humantarian, Dr. Biswal was always a friend of the poor patients. As a small child and adoloscent, I was often his patient and considering my parents' economic condition, I can always vouch that Dr. Biswal was great humanist who always considered the economic condition of his patients.
This simple, humble and human doctor passed away on 10th October 2009. May his soul rest in peace and may God help his bereaved family members courage to face this loss.

Photograph of Dr. Kalpataru Biswal- courtesy ShyamaPrasad Rout

Shyama's mail

Dear Sir,
I really thank you so much for your posting on Dr.Biswal. Please add this photograph of him, if possible.

Sincerely,
Shyama Prasad Rout
(grand son of Dr.Biswal)

Visit my Wab Page at
www.shyama.vze.com

My reply to him on 22nd October
Dear Shyama,
I was asking Panchu Bhai of Quick Photo Studio to provide me a photograph of Dr. Biswal to publish it in my blog, but the studio was closed and he insisted that since his studio was inaugurated by Dr. Biswal he won't open it even after 6 PM. I was to leave the next morning with my family and therefore couldn't find time to get the photo. But I always loved him as my physician and surgeon during my childhood days and his being the greatest inspiration in my life for becoming a doctor. I might not have been able to emulate him for being as sensitive to the needs of the economically deprived class- probably mostly because he went into his practice where he had his full freedom and I joined a public sector organisation.I have not been able to remain in touch with my childhood hero after I left Jagatsinghpur in 1970 for my graduation in Berhampur and have never had an occasion to see him or interact with him. And that's why I was not able to know which Dr. Biswal he is from the photo in your mail, but when I went through your mail, I could catch his identity. I remember my hero Dr. Kalpataru Biswal who was young- in his thirties, stout, strong, smiling with spotless white pant and halfshirt and with crossed sleeves holding his pant in front and back.Whenever I reminisce about him- how as a poor farmer's son he used to treat me on various occasions- my father's supreme faith in his abilities as a practitioner of modern medicine, my mother's complete belief in God and Dr. Biswal, I can only remember that figure which I must have seen on more than 100 occasions in his clinic. There was a paan shop belonging to Paria Nana just in front of his clinic and he was our greatest benefactor -being from my village. Though I have never seen Dr. Biswal ever chewing a paan, his subordinates in the clinic were regulars in this paan shop and that's how my father could get a relatively early appointment with Dr. Biswal for me. I still can remember how we used to sit outside the clinic on the cement half-wall waiting for him to arrive on his bicycle.His getting down the bicycle meant that I would be cured soon.
My sincere obeisance to this great soul.
With a lot of love to you Shyama for the photograph.
Sadasiv Swain

Shyama's comments on the post-
Dear Sadasiv Swain, with the sad demise of Dr.Kalpataru Biswal the entire Jagatsingpur was in shock. It was a spontaneous mourning observed by one and all. The 11th day function was organised at Town Hall of Jagatsingpur under the aegis of Hon'ble MLA Sj.Bishnu C.Das and participated by MLA of Kujang, MLA of Ersama-Balikuda, local Collector Sri Gyana Ranjan Das, Ex-Colector, Puri Sri Brahmananda Rout,IAS(Second son-in-law of Dr.Biswal), Ex-Principal of SVM College etc. The gathering was unprecedented. All speakers gave their brief account of experience with Dr.Biswal and his philanthropic services. Some of the speaker could not contorl their emotion during their speech. It was moment of grief and despair. A man who hailed from a remote village of Athmalik choose Jagatsinghpur as his work place and dedicated his entire life in service of mankind. Noone has seen him charging for his services. He was instrumental in bringing the first relic of Sri Aurobindo in Orissa to Jagatsingput. He brought Rotary to the town. For more than two decades he was a member of the management of SVM college. He was associated with almost all types of cults starting from Baya Baba to Alekh, from Sri Maa to Sai Baba. He has financed many individals for their higher studies who now adorne high positions. He truly understood the "joy of giving" and dedicated service to the masses. One Souvenir was published in his memory where one of the poets wrote ' you can never leave us, you might have already taken birth in our neighbour, Jagatsingpur can never leave you'. Your comforting words used to spell magic and it will continue to do so.... Shyama Prasad Rout (his grandson)shyama2u@rediffmail.com