As Japanese forces advanced across China in 1938, a 28-year-old medical graduate from Mumbai embarked on an extraordinary mission. Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis joined the Indian Medical Mission Team, arriving in Yan'an to support China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. His story remains a powerful symbol of international cooperation during one of Asia's darkest hours.
Frontline Medical Innovations
Stationed with the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi province, Kotnis revolutionized battlefield medicine under extreme conditions. He established mobile surgical units, trained over 1,500 medical personnel, and performed critical surgeries for wounded soldiers and civilians. His 'Kotnis Method' for treating abdominal wounds became standard practice in field hospitals.
Legacy Beyond Borders
Kotnis' dedication extended beyond his 1942 passing at age 32. China posthumously awarded him the National Friendship Medal in 2020, while India commemorates him through stamps and cultural exchanges. His grave in North China's Hebei Province remains a pilgrimage site, symbolizing enduring China-India solidarity.
