A tribute to Padmashree Dr Mukti Prasad Gogoi

"Whose thought always teach us to think wisely/ Whose wisdom always reverberates in our life/ Whose words always inspire us infinitely/ Whose hands always lead us to a new horizon/ This source of energy is always a good teacher"

Dr Mukti Prasad Gogoi, hailing from Moran, was born in Radhabari, Karimganj on November 4, 1931. His father, Troilokya Nath Gogoi was in the Army and his mother, Jeutora Gogoi was a homemaker.

He fondly remembered his primary school teacher, Liladhar Gogoi, who influenced him to a great extent and also played an important role in shaping his bright future.

After completing his studies in Moran primary school, he enrolled himself in Dibrugarh Government High School in 1943 from where he completed matriculation in 1947. Then, he pursued his ISC at Ripon College in Calcutta. After that he studied MBBS at Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh, and completed his Medical degree from RG Kar Medical College under Calcutta University in 1956.

Back in Dibrugarh, he met Captain Bibhuti Banerjee, Professor in the Department of Physiology who influenced him to choose Obstetrics and Gynaecology as a subject for post-graduation; and, he completed Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (DGO) from Calcutta University in 1959. After that, he proceeded to London to gather more knowledge on the subject and completed MRCOG (London) in July 1962.

Subsequently, he joined the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in Gauhati Medical College (GMC) as an Assistant Professor on November 5, 1962.

His students remember him as a very strict but affectionate person. He always stood by his students – as a teacher during academics and as a father figure in any personal or social issue.

Gogoi Sir was a visionary and used his novel ideas to take the department to a higher level in the country with the installation of newer and latest machines and gadgets. Finally, he succeeded in establishing the 'Centre for Human Reproduction' of ICMR in the Department at GMC, where researches are being presently undertaken.

In 1984, the Ultrasound machine from USA was newly installed in GMCH (Gauhati Medical College & Hospital) which was a first in a government medical college. This proved to be a boon for the patients as well as post-graduate students. In 1984, it was under his leadership that the 'Radio-immune assay laboratory' with ICMR was also started in the department. This lab was also a first in the country. It has encouraged and initiated many research works.

In 1978, Gogoi sir devised an operation for the repair of complex vesico-vaginal fistula through the abdomino-vaginal approach. Details of this technique were presented in the XIth World Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology held in Tokyo in October 1979. He was also one of the first Indians to do 'Culdoscopic sterilization' in the patients in our country.

As a true academician, he published many papers throughout his career in national and international journals. He influenced others also to study recent advances in medical science, write papers and carry out research works. He always worked for reforming the teaching techniques and improvement of the quality of teaching. He had invited many renowned teachers and scientists, from within and outside the country to impart the academic knowledge in recent advances to the students. Gogoi sir created a plethora of super teachers and specialists that are spread across the world in many institutions today.

His relentless work for the department continued as a Professor in the same College from April 1, 1964 till May 31, 1973. He became the Head of the Department on June 1, 1973 and remained in this position till his retirement in 1988.

He held many important positions in many National and International arena. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (FRCOG) London in 1975, the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) in 1985 and the Indian College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in 1986.

He was also a paper setter and an examiner in the undergraduate and postgraduate examinations for a large number of universities in Calcutta, Delhi, Patna, Cuttack, Gauhati, Dibrugarh, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Ranchi, PGI Chandigarh. He was also a thesis examiner for Ph.D scholars of Calcutta University. He was invited to be as an examiner in MRCOG exam part-II final of the 'Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecologists' London in 1986. He was also a visiting Professor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Presbyterian St Lukes Medical Centres, Rush Medical College, Chicago in USA. He was a member of the governing council of NEIGRIHMS (North Eastern Indira Gandhi Institute of Health and Medical Sciences), Shillong from April 11, 1994 to April 11, 1999.

He was the founder of the convention of 'North Eastern Obstetrics & Gynaecological Societies' (NEOGSCON) in Guwahati in 1988. It served as a platform for all the Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the North East to come under one roof for various academic and non-academic functions. Till date, conferences are being held annually in different states of the North East under NEOGSCON.

In 1984, the Government of India adorned Gogoi sir with the fourth-highest civilian award – 'Padmashree', for his distinguished service in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The 'Federation of the Obstetrics & Gynaecological Societies of India' (FOGSI) conferred on Gogoi sir the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for various achievements and contributions in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The honour was bestowed on him during the 43rd 'All India Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology' held at King George's Medical College in Lucknow from December 26 to 30, 1999.

On December 29 that year, he was felicitated by the 'Brahmaputra Millennium Celebration Committee' in association with Assam Tourism in Guwahati for his immense contrition towards the field of Medicine.

All these years, Gogoi sir had nurtured his passion to write; and, after his retirement from Gauhati Medical College, he immersed in this passion. He once said that he was profoundly inspired in the field of literature by renowned writers Syed Adbul Malik and Homen Borgohain, adding that Borgohain praised and encouraged him write in his own unique way. Gogoi sir was very sensitive and creative in his wrtings. Starting his literary journey from 1992, he contributed many of writings and published his collections of short stories, a novel, a large number of essays on various topics and personal experiences in Assamese newspapers.

A few of his prominent literary gems are 'Xexhnohuwa xapon bor aru onanyo probondho', 'Bogibaideor Biya', 'Bronmai', 'Konmai', "Himalayot uthaa aru onanyo probondho', and 'Paanbhojan'.

All students who had the opportunity to be associated with him, remember him also as a person who had a tremendous sense of humour and a person who loved to cook and relish varieties of food and delicacies. His love for food was way below his love to feed people particularly his students. They visited him very often. Bihu was a special time when Gogoi sir enjoyed the traditional "konijuz" (the competition to break eggs by hitting one with another) with his students.

Gogoi sir is one of the most admired, respected and deeply loved teachers.

After a brief illness, Dr Mukti Prasad Gogoi sir breathed his last and created a void in our lives on April 24, 2021. Today on his Adya Sraddha, we fondly remember sir and offer our sincere prayers for eternal peace of the departed soul. On behalf of all his students,

Dr Ratna K Talukdar,

Principal-cum Chief Superintendent,

Jorhat Medical College & Hospital

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