Chinese C-G in Mumbai Kong Xianhua, addressing at an event after revamping a school for Kotnis on Dec 14, 2023 in Solapur. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

A much-awaited school that honors Dwarkanath Shantaram Kotnis, the legendary physician who sacrificed his life while working in China and attending to Chinese soldiers during the war against Japanese aggression more than 80 years ago, opened in his birthplace, Solapur, in India's western Maharashtra state, last week.

Paying homage to Kotnis, who is seen as a symbol of Sino-Indian friendship, and to make the younger generation aware of his work, the consulate general of China in Mumbai dedicated a revamped school in Solapur in memory of the late Indian doctor.

A grand opening ceremony of the renovated SMC Camp No 1 Camp High School of Solapur Municipal Corporation was held on Dec 14, a few days after Kotnis'81st death anniversary.

"We will rename the school into Dr Kotnis Friendship School. The local government is processing our request," said Kong Xianhua, the Chinese consul general in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state.

The consulate is also enthusiastic about setting up a hospital in memory of Kotnis in Solapur to carry forward the doctor's legacy. "We are also positive about the hospital and spoke about it to the Solapur Municipal Commissioner," Kong told China Daily in a text message from Mumbai.

The school opening ceremony last week was attended by the Chinese consul general, senior officials of Solapur Municipal Corporation and more than 800 students, as well as some business executives, including Chen Huazhu, the CEO of Yapp India, a Chinese company based in Maharashtra's Pune city.

The Chinese consulate and Yapp India have invested $617,000 to install a new drinking water system, develop a sports ground, and renovate the gates and security system at the school, besides painting the school building and fitting CCTV cameras to give it a new look, according to a press statement issued by the Chinese consulate general in Mumbai.

Last year, to mark the 80th death anniversary of Kotnis, the consulate general announced the establishment of a school in memory of Kotnis in Solapur, which is nearly 400 kilometers from Mumbai.

Chinese C-G in Mumbai Kong Xianhua (in the middle), along with senior officials of Solapur Municipal Corporation in Solapur after dedicating a school to Kotnis on Dec 14, 2023. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Honoring deeds

Speaking at the Dec 14 event, Kong said, "Gratitude is the traditional virtue of Chinese people …We want to make our own small contribution to Solapur, try to repay Kotnis' ultimate sacrifice for China and honor his heroic deeds."

He noted that young students are the future, and the seeds of friendship sown in their hearts will help carry forward the spirit of Kotnis and hold high the torch of China-India friendship. He stressed that "the Chinese people have not, and will never forget Dr Kotnis".

Expressing gratitude, Solapur Municipal Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale said at the event that Kotnis' dream of having a school or hospital in Solapur is coming true, and she expressed her readiness to work with China and Chinese companies to strengthen the education-health sector in the town.

The Chinese consulate general and Dr Kotnis Memorial Committee will collectively donate a bronze statue of Kotnis to the school to make the younger generation aware of his work and the strong Sino-Indian friendship.

Born in a village near Solapur on Oct 10, 1910, Kotnis completed his medical education at the renowned KEM Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College in Mumbai. As part of a member of an Indian medical team, Kotnis arrived in China in 1938, along with four other Indian physicians during China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Kotnis, however, died unexpectedly at the age of 32 in China on Dec 8, 1942, after saving the lives of numerous Chinese soldiers, due to adverse weather conditions and relentless work. The doctor's dedication and perseverance turned him into an example of Sino-Indian friendship.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.