Apurba Nandy

DR. Apurba Nandy (1943–2015) was an Indian Forensic Expert, Professor, Principal of Govt. and Private Medical Colleges and a renowned author. He served as a departmental head of Forensic Medicine at North Bengal Medical College, Calcutta Medical College, and R G Kar Medical College. He is considered as one of the top Forensic and Toxicology experts in India during his time and beyond. His agility and virtuosity in the realm of detection was unique and adroit.
He was a Revered Sir, Respected Guardian, A Noble Teacher, and a Beloved Friend. Even his dealings with court and police were in the quality of being worthy of honour and respect. It was under his professional assistance and guidance that Midnapur Medical College was successfully established. Under his dexterity North Bengal Medical College morgue was built. 
Birth and Education
He was born in Jamalpur of undivided Bengal (now in Bangladesh) on 7th January 1943. During partition of India in 1947, Nandy’s family migrated to India (West Bengal) and he completed his schooling in Siuri (Birbhum). DR. Nandy passed his M.B.B.S degree from Burla Medical College. Later he completed his M.D in Forensic Medicine from Cuttack Medical College.
Career and Expertise
DR. Nandy was not only expertise in Forensic Medicine, but he was also an eminent pathologist of his time. While pursuing M.D in F.S.M, he had to take care of the Pathology Department of his superior. His professional designation in the field of occupation:
* Ex-Professor and Head of the Department of F.S.M, North Bengal Medical College
* Ex-Professor and Head of the Department of F.S.M, Calcutta Medical College Kolkata 
* Ex-Professor and Head of the Department of F.S.M, R G Kar Medical College Ķolkata 
* Ex-Professor and Head of the Department of F.S.M, Katihar Medical College and Hospital|Katihar Medical College
* Ex-Professor and Head of the Department of F.S.M, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
* Ex-Principal of North Bengal Medical College
* Ex-Principal of Midnapore Medical College
* Ex-member of Senate, North Bengal University
* Ex-member of Senate, Calcutta University
* Ex-member of UG Council North Bengal University
* Ex-member of Board of PG Studies Calcutta University
* Ex-member of West Bengal Medical Council
* Ex Joint Secretary in the Department of Health – Govt. of West Bengal
* Ex Vice President - Medical Council of India (MCI)
* Ex Superintendent - North Bengal Medical College
As a forensic expert he was involved in numerous high profile and complex cases across West Bengal and beyond. He had proven his expertise in each of these cases and assisted and guided the police departments with his excellent detection and opinion.
Demise
DR. Nandy took his last breath on 13th August 2015 at his once workplace Calcutta Medical College. He was under the care of his students which was of his greatest satisfaction. He was suffering from leukaemia.
As an Author
DR. Nandy’s contribution was enormous in the field of education and science. He distinguished himself in the art of authorship which remains to be authentic and unique in its position. He wrote several books on Forensic Medicine and associated scientific methods and practices. His contribution includes reference books for students and practitioners of Forensic and Toxicology. He also wrote reference books for the Police department for initial detection methodologies. His works includes:
* Nandy's Handbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
* Principles of Forensic Medicine: Including Toxicology
As a Teacher
Due to his contribution to his field of work, DR. Nandy was always praised by medical community, police and law enforcement departments and government. But his greatest admirers were his students. He successfully created greatest scientific minds and medical practitioners. His high moral and integrity but friendly attitude towards students is always remembered and revered.
Testimony of Students and Colleagues
I still remember vividly the first day I saw Prof. Nandy. Very simple down to earth person. That impression never changed. There are many teachers who love their students, but Prof Nandi was something special. He knew each student very well. He loved them like his own sons. I did PG also under his guidance. For both of my exams he was my Internal and Prof J B Mukherjee was my External. By that time, I came to know why Prof Nandi was Prof Mukherjee's most favourite student. I heard many stories from him. Truth is stranger than fiction - that I learnt during my PG days. I have seen how much he loved Laxmida, Kahalida and all of us. He always tried his level best so that students pass their exams. When I heard the news of his passing away, I felt like I lost my father. Our Earth is poorer without him. May his soul Rest in Peace. - DR. Nilay Roy (United Kingdom)
I have not seen such a disciplined, sincere, dedicated and kind-hearted teacher in my life. He was a father figure to all his students in his teaching life. With best regards – DR. Sisir Kumar Das
When we were studying MBBS at North Bengal Medical College during second half of seventies, the Campus Shrushutanagar was situated far away from Siliguri town. The bus way was more than a semicircle connecting Siliguri to Shrushutanagar with a length of fourteen kilometres. So we were at a Residencial Institute where maximum teachers were residing with their families. Practically with the presence of teachers and their families, we felt Campus had comprised a big family. 
It was very usual that together with harmony enjoyment, there were some quarrels among the students also. At difficult times, we always approached our most dependable teacher, Prof. Apurba Nandy first without any hesitation, even before going to our principal. He used to listen the whole matter very calmly and took decision which removed all bitterness among us.
 
Prof. Apurba Nandy was a great teacher. He knew every student by their names, titles and Roll Not. As he knew everyone, he did not waste time in giving attendance in class. He taught us Forensic and State Medicine. He had a gentle voice. We had never seen him shouting. Yet no one felt any problem in following his lecture. He was so concerned about his students that even if we failed to attend Postmortem Practical Class at Siliguri, he didn't mind it, Rather, he had taken the extra burden to teach the matter in the theoretical classes. He was a father figure to every student.
Whenever we approached for an extracurricular activity like 'Medical Science Fair 'to demonstrate normal anatomy, physiology of human body and etiology of different diseases to the common people or Audio-Visual Scheme to show good cinema in the Campus for all, Sir, Prof Apurba Nandy would never discourage us, rather guided us such activities. 
We were lucky to have him as our 'Guru' in our student life. 'Guru ' is a Sanskrit word, meaning 'Remover of darkness'. He was really our Guru, who always tried to remove our darkness of ignorance, ego and anger. 
After his death, Ex-Students of North Bengal Medical College started 'Guru Pronam' on Teachers Day in memory of our most revered Sir for paying Regard to our living teachers who taught us in North Bengal Medical College and arranging Prof Apurba Nandy Memorial Lecture every year. 
We feel proud to be a student of a such Simple Honest and Knowledgeable teacher in our life. – DR. Tapas Ghosh (Surgeon)
It is difficult for me to write something about Prof (Dr). Apurba Nandy because I don't know where to start & where to stop. I came to his. contact at late 70's decade at the then North Bengal University Medical College, Sushrutanagar, at the commencement of my Government Service. First time I met one HOD who was very simple, without any vanity though having vast knowledge, not only in Forensic Medicine but also in multiple subjects. We the junior doctors at that time were very much afraid of his super intelligence & personality. He could anticipate & predict matters what we wanted to express before uttering any word. What I had learned about complicated subject like Forensic Medicine which helped me to complete my service & teaching & medico-legal works as my career was totally his gift. Still, I am spellbound about his deep penetrating observation, far-sightedness & finally conclusion about most complicated criminal and administrative problems.
I am just mentioning few incidences as example when I working as one his junior colleague at Medical College, Kolkata. During late 80's decade.
Only he could predict what was fact behind the notorious "Stoneman Case at Calcutta”. In another incidence of brutal murder of a teenage school, girl, just seeing injuries on victim girl’s dead body, The He asked the investigating authority to search a ‘piri’ (low level wooden seat) which could be the striking weapon for throttling the girl. Ultimately, the Police persons recovered a cradle seat with the blood stain under it from the place of occurrence. 
In another care of bomb blast where more than 100 persons died, he just had a glance to the bodies at the mortuary and said, "keep these 6 dead bodies to be examined by me at the mortuary and you along with other doctors complete the autopsy examination of other dead bodies.” Later it was proved that there 6 persons were involved in making bombs and others were simple victim of explosion. It still not clear to me how he could detect the truth instantly.
I can't complete the number of incidences which I had seen & learned from him. I shall remember him throughout my life. – DR. Dipankar Guha Roy. Retd. Prof. of Forensic Medicine (WBMES)
My phone rang at 9 PM. I replied – “Hello”, “DR. Nandy speaking”. I was spellbound hearing him. My friend told me DR. Nandy may call up, but still…. “Is this Shibu?” I came back to sense – “Yes sir Shibu here.” “I have to visit you once”. “Yes sir, I know, please come.” We fixed an appointment. Sir was coming to consult me.
Sir came to visit me on the date agreed. I work in private hospitals. I requested sir to wait till I was there. I was contemplating while approaching the spot – will he recognize me? I didn’t do anything exceptional that will leave a long lasting impression on his mind. Saw him standing at the spot agreed. Same simple outfit. Trousers with half-sleeve shirt. Pens in his chest pocket. Thick Moustaches. Headful of hair. Scratching his head with two middle fingers. An incomparable habit – can’t be forgotten. We were habituated seeing this everywhere - at class, department, or outside. Only there was a shade of grey in his hair this time. Don’t know what happened, what I never dreamt of doing - I hold his hand and told him – “sir here I am”. As if he was my long-lost friend. Sir’s face lit up seeing me. He said – “take me where you want to”.
We found both of his eyes developed cataracts. There is no way other than operation. All tests were completed that day itself. He followed all procedure at the day of the operation calmly and came back to cabin. By the time lunch was served. He loved the food and praised it wholeheartedly. He started coaxing me to allow him to smoke – “only couple of puffs” – as he said. Although strictly beyond the rules of the hospital, I closed the door, and he pulled out a half-smoked cigarette from the packet and took a few puffs and threw it.
We completed surgery of both his eyes within one month time. His satisfaction showed in his eyes. He said – “You know Shibu, I really needed these surgeries. Had trouble in reading and writing. I am writing a book now. Proof reading was almost impossible. Now I can do everything.”
He continued being in touch with me. Used to call in the morning. I really cherish his comforting voice and guidance like a guardian. He probably did my mind’s postmortem and had seen everything inside. He knew I was entangled in multiple personal issues. He used to say – “I’ll visit you at home sometime while coming back from hospital”. But it never happened – I heard sir was not keeping well and admitted to hospital. I couldn’t bring him to my house. – DR. Sibaprasad Pal, Eye Specialist, 8th Batch, NBMC.
Category:1943 births
Category:2015 deaths
Category:Professors
Category:Author