Amal Kumar Chatterjee
BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7394.885/a (Published 19 April 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:885Data supplement
Amal Kumar Chatterjee
Former consultant neurosurgeon Preston (b Calcutta 1925; q R G Kar Medical College, Calcutta, 1950; DGO 1954, FRCS Ed 1969), died from complications of ischaemic heart disease and heart failure on 5 February 2003.
Like most other overseas graduates, he had to struggle hard to establish himself, especially in a highly competitive specialty such as neurosurgery. He had to work his way up through various stages initially to become an assistant neurosurgeon, but his skills and commitments were ultimately rewarded with full consultant status. Even 15 years after his retirement from neurosurgery, many grateful patients attended to express their gratitude at his funeral.
Medical professionals are often criticised for their insularity and parochialism. Chatterjee successfully attempted to change that image through constant engagement with the wider community. Many of such activities, however, were augmented after his retirement for obvious reasons. All through his career he had been an active and influential member of the Overseas Doctors Association (now the British International Doctors Association), helping in the training of young, inexperienced doctors. He had been a vice chair of Preston Racial Equality Council and a senior member of the local community health council, advising on clinical issues. He was instrumental in the founding of the Bengali (Indian) Cultural Association of Lancashire and the acclaimed Bangla school, of which he was still the president when he passed away. All these had earned him many accolades.
The other main facet of his life was socio-religious involvements. Born in a devout Brahmin family, he had a lifelong interest and inclination towards the Hindu scriptures and philosophy. His deep yearning for Hinduism had developed him into a scholastic theologian. He desired to instil basic moral and religious values into the hearts and minds of second generation Bengali youngsters, born and brought up in this country without any formal teachings and/or exposure to their own family faith. He therefore took upon himself the role of lay preacher, writing, lecturing, publishing easily readable simple books, and also performing various Bengali Hindu rites as a "priest" both in public and in private. His devout orations and readings were awe inspiring and electrifying, which used to attract many people from all over the country. His Durga Puja ceremony at the Kirkby Centre in Liverpool had become "legendary" and had earned him the affectionate nickname "dada" (the dear elder brother), held in high esteem and reverence.
Mr Chatterjee is survived by his anaesthetist (retired) wife, Nilima, and their only son, Amit, a general practitioner working in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. He will always be remembered for his outstanding services to the community at large and will be sadly missed by countless Bengali Indians, especially from the north west of England. [Arup Banerjee, Amit Chatterjee]
See more
- Introductory AddressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 1-4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.1
- Report of the Meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Provincial Association at Bury St. Edmond'sProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 10-13; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.10
- Mr. Warburton's Bill for the Regulation of the Medical ProfessionProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 13-15; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.13
- An Atlas of Plates, illustrative of the Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine and Surgery, with descriptive LetterpressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4
- A Practical Treatise on the Diseases peculiar to Women, illustrated by Cases, &cProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4-5; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4-a