We are amidst celebrating Amrit Mahotsav, marking 75 years of our nation’s independence and self-governance. The strong, thriving, populous republic of ours owes everything it can boast of today to the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters and the struggles that had to be overcome by the pioneers of early independent India. Theirs was the generation of unlimited opportunities that had to be realized with limited means, and their life stories offer a perspective on how far we have come and what it took to get here.
The Checkup Magazine has endeavored to bring forth stories of these senior medical practitioners who were early medical graduates of these medical institutions and were instrumental in shaping the medical field of our nation.
Excerpts of the interview of late Dr. Anant G. Savadatti conducted for the initiative, medical legends of Sindhudurg by Team Sindhukanad.
Courtesy: Sindhukanad co-ordinator, Dr. Leena Limaye, Malvan, Sindhudurg
Interviewers: Dr. Nilesh Kode, Dr. G. T. Rane, Dr. Anjana Kajarekar
About his childhood:
Born on the 30th of December, 1933, Dr. A. G. Savadatti grew up with six siblings in Jamkhandi, Bagalkot and was educated in P. P. College, Jamkhandi, finishing his secondary school certification in 1954. He recalled the patriotic teachings of Sane Guruji during his visits to Sevadal, and participating in “prabhat feri”, and shouting “Jai Hind”. His lifelong disliking for tea can be traced to these patriotic beginnings when tea manufactured by erstwhile British companies was boycotted.
About his Medical education and training:
A. G. Savadatti then took up the Inter-Science stream in Lingaraj College in Belgaum. With a disliking for mathematics and an acumen for biology and zoology, he decided upon his path towards the field of medicine. He pursued the course of GFAM (combining the disciplines of allopathy and Ayurvedic sciences) at Gune Ayurveda College in Ahmednagar in 1954, and completed his medico-legal and post-mortem training from Sassoon, Pune. He completed his medical education within extreme financial constraints and with great personal sacrifices, often funding his own expenditures through the fees he received on providing medical care in the neighbouring rural areas.
Abut his first independent practice:
Dr. Savadatti had the option of taking up a government post at DDMS, Mumbai or initiating his individual practice. Upon discussion with his seniors, he chose the rewarding job of treating patients through his own practice. He travelled to Sawantwadi from Pune, and took up his medical posting in the village of Mangaon in Sindhudurg where he was warmly received. He ably managed the post with a limited but equally supportive staff, often travelling long distances on foot or on bicycle (and on one occasion, on the shoulder of his patient’s relative) at extreme hours to provide medical care in the most inaccessible areas. He is particularly remembered for safely managing extremely difficult (breech babies & pregnancies with shoulder dystocia) deliveries. All this while, he kept updating himself with the latest medical news.
He was later transferred to Kudal in 1965 where he continued to provide medical care until the very end. In 1972, his impending transfer to Ratnagiri was reversed by the popular demand for him by the citizens of Kudal, and with their good will and aid, he started his independent private practice while resigning from his post.
Apart from maternity care, his expertise in a wide range of procedures from treating joint dislocations to fracture stabilisation and even dental extractions made him the most respected and trusted family physician for decades to come. In the times when routine blood investigations weren’t available, he was known to accurately determine the prognosis of patients with CKD (chronic kidney disease) based on clinical examination alone.
About his family life:
Even as a kid, Dr. Savadatti played his role as an elder brother with great responsibility, supporting his younger siblings in their education. His brother, Dr. Madhukar Savadatti, an equally popular and knowledgeable practitioner joined him in providing medical care to the citizens of Kudal.
His wife, Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Savadatti, supported his practice and took on all household responsibilities while raising their son and four daughters. Dr. Savadatti continued his busy practice until the ripe age of 87 years. His son, Dr. Guruprasad Savadatti and daughter-in-law, Dr. Srilaxmi Savadatti now continue his legacy.
He religiously went for his early morning walks despite his late practice hours, and nurtured simple tastes. A sincere reader of the Bhagvad Gita, Dr. A. G. Savadatti, in his last interview, said that he was a lifelong student, forever learning.
Dr A. G. Savadatti passed away on the 8th of February, 2022 amidst his loved ones. He is fondly remembered by his family, friends and patients.
(Original interview can be viewed at the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZXg0QLYKs)
