Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis, the Indian medic who sacrificed his life while serving in China during wartime era, is still fondly remembered in China today, members of an Indian youth delegation said after a recent visit to China, adding that they aim to carry forward the feelings of fraternity and friendship that Kotnis left behind.

A ten-member team of young Indians visited China for nine days from May 7 following an invitation from the Chinese Peoples’ Association for Friendship with Foreign countries, or CPAFFC. The cultural office of the Chinese Embassy in India helped organize the visit in a bid to enhance friendly exchanges between the two countries and cement ties between the neighbors.

The group later went to Beijing, and also visited Chengdu, the Sichuan provincial capital, where they visited the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base

“The memory of the doctor continues to connect India and China and it will be everlasting,” said Amritpal Singh, a member of the delegation.

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“We were surprised to see how the Chinese people still did not forget their foreign friends who helped them in their liberation struggle," said Aditi, another delegation member.

The Indian youth delegation visited the tomb of Kotnis in Shijiazhuang of Hebei province and the Martyrs’ Memorial Park in the city to commemorate the historic journey of the Indian doctor who arrived in China in 1938 to treat wounded Chinese soldiers during their War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Members said the visit was inspiring and that they aim to carry forward the spirit of legendary doctor and promote friendship between China and India.

The Kotnis tomb and the Martyrs’ Memorial Park is testament to the deep respect and affection for the Indian doctor among the Chinese, Aditi said.

The delegates visited the Kotnis China-India Friendship Hospital of Hebei Medical University and interacted with the doctors there, and also the visited Memorial Hall of the Indian Medical Mission to China (1938), besides paying respects at Kotnis’ tomb.

Conversations with doctors at the Kotnis China-India Friendship Hospital made the delegates realize how Kotnis’ story continues to inspire Chinese medical professionals. Doctors at the hospital spoke with great enthusiasm about Kotnis’ contributions, saying the Indian physician set a precedent of medical dedication and international friendship, according to the delegation members.

“It touched my heart to know how one Indian doctor was so deeply rooted in the heart of Chinese medical professionals,” said Abhishek Nadkarni, a member of the Kotnis family and a neurosurgeon by profession. Abhishek was very proud to be part of this delegation.

The group later went to Beijing, and also visited Chengdu, the Sichuan provincial capital, where they visited the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base. Other stops in Sichuan province included Meishan, well-known for its tea gardens, and the Pengzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in Pengzhou city.

Kotnis was sent to China in 1938 as part of an Indian medical mission to help the Chinese soldiers in their fight against Japanese aggressors. He served on the frontline and saved the lives of many Chinese soldiers. The doctor fell ill and died in China at the age of 32 in 1942 due to the enormous stress of his work during four years of treating wounded and sick Chinese soldiers.

During his mission in China, Kotnis did not return to India despite hearing news of his father's death, and continued to work and treat wounded soldiers.

Late Chinese leader Mao Zedong was deeply affected by Kotnis’ death. He wrote in a eulogy that "the army has lost a helping hand, the nation has lost a friend. Let us always bear in mind his internationalist spirit."

Two members from India China Friendship Association (ICFA), an organization that seeks to promote friendship between the two countries, were part of the latest Indian youth delegation to China.

Amritpal Singh and Manisha, who are both learning acupuncture treatment at Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis Health and Education Centre, Ludhiana, in northern India, said they were most impressed by the infrastructure and by the wide patronage of traditional Chinese medicine treatments.

“We can learn from how China has regulated and standardized techniques like acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine to make treatment more affordable for the common man,” said Manisha.

“In India, such treatments are often unregulated,” Singh lamented.

Singh said that in addition to the journey's symbolic significance, the visit will have positive medical effects because China and India both have common healthcare challenges.

“We should continue such exchanges in future and should cooperate with each other to overcome the challenges,” he said.

For Aditi, a visit to the Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University, was one of the most fascinating aspects. The library of the university has a vast collection of original texts related to Asian studies.

China is renowned for producing high-quality research and effectively bridging the gap between industry and academia, and Aditi was eager to learn from their best practices.  

The faculty members of Sichuan University emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research and innovation. This is an area where India and China can significantly benefit from each other's experiences and strengths, said Aditi, who is pursuing a PhD in education from Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi.

“Overall, it was an enriching experience. This visit reaffirmed my belief in the power of education as a bridge between nations, fostering a shared vision for progress and innovation,” she said.

China is renowned for producing high-quality research and effectively bridging the gap between industry and academia, and Aditi was eager to learn from their best practices

On May 9, Jiang Jiang, vice-president of the CPAFFC, met with the Indian youth delegation. Welcoming the delegates, Jiang said maintaining sound relations between China and India serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and is conducive to regional and world peace and development, according to the CPAFFC website.

The two sides should work together to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries that "China and India are each other's development opportunities and pose no threat to each other”, and that they should promote the healthy and stable development of China-India relations, said Jiang.

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It is hoped that Indian youth will travel more and see more of China, deepen their understanding of China and contribute to the development of China-India relations, Jiang said, according to the CPAFFC website.

Dr Kotnis China India Friendship Hospital, a gorgeous statue of the Indian doctor, a museum preserving the memories of Dr Kotnis, and a splendid gallery preserving the belongings of Kotnis are all preserved with great reverence by the Chinese government and people, said Jatin Kumar, secretary, ICFA.

The reverence for Kotnis in China mirrors a popular folk song in China that conveys this message: “Your giant image remains untarnished in our minds forever”, said Kumar, who has visited China many times.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.