Dr. Swarna Lata Samal, born on April 14, 1948, passed away this morning. She leaves behind a legacy of simplicity and selfless service.
Life, for Mrs. Samal, was a tumultuous journey. Filled with highs and lows , her life journey tested her resilience and spirit. She faced tempests that would have shaken the bravest of hearts. A mere year ago, she grappled with the grip of dengue encephalitis, emerging victorious after a gruelling month in the ICU. And yet, fate wasn’t done with its challenges; just months ago, she mourned the departure of her beloved husband, Dr. Narendra Samal, as he departed for the heavens above.
And yet, she soldiered on, fighting her frailty.
Dr. Swarna Lata’s tale was one of tribulations and triumphs. Born in the serene village of Kusupur, Odisha, Dr. Swarna Lata’s quest for knowledge and service began. Armed with determination and a thirst for learning, she began her medical odyssey at Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, popularly known as SCG Medical College, Cuttack, Utkal University. Graduating with distinction in 1970, she further honed her skills, earning her DGO and MD degrees from Nagpur University in 1976, all while navigating the intricacies of life and love. Her marriage to Dr. Khan in 1973 marked the beginning of a partnership fuelled by mutual support and shared dreams, with Dr. Khan selflessly prioritizing her aspirations over his own.
Despite the religious differences between Dr. Khan, a Muslim, and his wife, Dr. Swarnalata, a Hindu, the couple embraced unity and inclusivity. They celebrated Sarasvati Pooja together, paying homage to Goddess Sarasvati. Their commitment to harmony extended to their home, which they named Saraswati Sadan. Their home became a gathering place for a group of medical students, who were welcomed with sweets and affection by the couple. Fondly recalling those cherished moments, Dr. Vijai Gupta, an MGIMS alumnus of the 1976 batch and a pathologist, reminisces about how Dr. Khan and his wife treated medical students with love and warmth, transcending religious boundaries to nurture a sense of belonging among their students.
Joining the corridors of MGIMS, Dr. Samal’s journey took flight. From a diligent resident to a revered professor, she traversed diverse departments-Obstetrics and gynaecology, Pediatrics and Community Medicine. . Her tenure in Obstetrics and Gynecology stands as a testament to her prowess, marked by steady progression from lecturer in November 1976 to department head in 2007. The year 2007 brought unexpected twists as she found herself thrust into the role of department head amidst internal strife, a position she embraced with characteristic grace and fortitude until her retirement.
However, her ascent to this position was anything but smooth. When Dr. Shakuntala Chhabra, the department head, was obligated to vacate her post upon assuming the role of dean in October 2007, Dr. Samal was taken aback. She felt sad and sullen when she learned that Dr. Poonam Verma, a former student who was 15 years her junior, was appointed to lead the department. As retirement loomed on the horizon, this unexpected turn of events stirred a maelstrom of emotions within her. Feeling a sense of injustice, she penned a heartfelt letter to Dhirubhai Mehta, the president of the Kasturba Health Society overseeing the medical college. She articulated her grievances. In her missive, she underscored her unrecognised role in shaping MGIMS during its nascent stages and reminisced about her collaborations with mentors like Dr. P. Nayar, Dr. Trivedi, and Dr. Acharya. Fortunately, wisdom prevailed, and she was entrusted with the department’s leadership until her retirement, a fitting culmination to her illustrious tenure.
Post-retirement, Dr. Samal’s passion for healing found new avenues. Joining JNMC Savangi, she continued her legacy of service, leading the Obstetrics and Gynecology department with her trademark blend of expertise and compassion. Concurrently, she lent her skills to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Wardha, answering the call for experienced faculty with characteristic zeal.
Concurrently, she also pursued private practice in Wardha.
She continued her tenure until April 2008 before joining JNMC Savangi, where she led the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department for a decade while also engaging in private practice in Wardha.
In a curious turn of events, in 1990, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, a private institution, was established in Wardha. The college was desperately looking for experienced faculty members. Dr. Samal answered the call. She temporarily left MGIMS from January 1992 to August 1993 to contribute her expertise to the fledgling institution before returning to her alma mater.
Throughout her career, Dr. Swarnalata Samal’s dedication to teaching and mentoring in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at MGIMS left an enduring impact on her students. In 1983, she ascended to the position of post-graduate teacher, a role she embraced with passion and dedication. Under her tutelage, she guided the theses of an impressive cohort of 21 residents, each of whom benefited from her expertise and guidance.
Among the notable residents mentored by Dr. Swarnalata Samal are Suchitra Pandit (1977), Mohini Goswami (1977), Jyotsna Bajpai (1978), Darshana Samant (1978), Poonam Jaiswal Karanwal (1979), Bindu Ballani (1979), Late Sarita Verma-Kathuria (1980), Naheed Khan (1981), Malini Prasad Panchapagesan (1982), Nanda Jain-Raidasini (1982), Neeru Khurana (1983), Seema Sharma-Kamath (1984), Anupama Sharma-Chakravorti (1988), Preeti Agarwal-Jindal (1989), Rakhi Gajbhiye (1990), Sangeeta Daf-Kumar (1990), Aparna Srishti Kaipa (1992), Ambreen Qureshi (1994), Prajakta Sawai-Aswar (1994), Rachana Sharma (1993), and Rajesh Bawaskar (1996).
Under her mentorship, these residents not only flourished academically but also imbibed invaluable lessons in compassion, professionalism, and excellence, shaping them into exemplary practitioners in their own right. Dr. Swarnalata Samal’s legacy lives on through the accomplishments of her students, a testament to her enduring impact on the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.
All her life, she played a crucial role in the lives of countless women , utilizing her skills and experience. Armed with a deep understanding of reproductive health, she guided expectant mothers through every stage of pregnancy, providing meticulous prenatal care, monitoring foetal development, and ensuring safe delivery. In the throes of childbirth, she helped residents in managing childbirth complications, fostering a calm atmosphere in the operating theatre. With precision, she performed surgical procedures to treat gynaecological conditions and obstetric complications, including caesarean sections, hysterectomies, and laparoscopic surgeries. Recognizing her limitations, she openly acknowledged when a procedure exceeded her expertise and welcomed input from colleagues and residents. “She adeptly managed complications with grace and composure,” recalled her former student.
She displayed humility whenever she sought the skills of her juniors. Unlike many professors during her time who instilled terror and fear in the minds of students and residents, she was always approachable and open to conversation. Speaking in English with a distinctive Odia accent, she wore simplicity on her pallu.
She never carried herself like a typical professor, not even a bit.
Dr. Shubhada Jajoo reflects, “I had the privilege of working alongside her for a long period, both at MGIMS, JNMC, and in her private practice. Gentle, compassionate, and unfailingly courteous, she dedicated herself to the care of her patients, sometimes even providing meals for homeless women. I had never seen her getting angry or scolding her patients or residents. She loved nature; she took a keen interest in plants and plantation efforts.”
Dr. Shubhada Jajoo reflects on her time working alongside Dr. Swarnalata Samal, spanning MGIMS, JNMC, and her private practice. She said, “Dr. Samal was a gentle, compassionate, and unfailingly courteous woman. She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to patient care. Her kindness extended beyond medical treatment; she often provided meals for homeless women, showcasing her generosity. I never saw Dr. Samal expressing anger or scolding patients or residents. She loved nature, and took a keen interest in plants and participated actively in plantation efforts.”
Dr. Sutekha Tayade, who had the privilege of working closely with Mrs. Samal from 2002 to 2008 at MGIMS, fondly recalls, “Mrs. Samal was truly exceptional in surgery. She had this incredible precision and skill that brought about outstanding results in even the most challenging operations. And her thirst for knowledge was insatiable! Always eager to learn new techniques and technologies, she approached everything with such childlike curiosity. I remember vividly how dedicated she was to mastering laparoscopic surgery when it was introduced in Sevagram. She’d spend hours perfecting her skills, determined to give her patients the best care possible. Even in her later years, when robotic surgery emerged, she jumped at the chance to expand her expertise. Despite her own health challenges and struggles with forgetfulness, she never stopped sharing her wisdom and experience, always mentoring the younger doctors at the hospital in Wardha.
And on a personal note, I’ll always treasure her kindness during my early days as a young mother when I first joined MGIMS as a lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She made sure I got the rest I needed, putting a ban on calls after 4 am and even attending to emergency calls herself. She had this nurturing warmth about her, always bringing breakfast for us and meals for homeless women in need. She was so modest and humble, never seeking attention for herself but letting her work speak volumes. It was truly heart-warming to see so many former students gather at her funeral, paying their respects with tears in their eyes. She was indeed a remarkable soul.”
Swarna Lata’s personal life was marked by a profound bond with her husband, transcending religious boundaries and demonstrating love and warmth to all who crossed their path.
In 1991, a scooter accident, a cruel twist of destiny, threatened to destroy her career. Yet, through it all, Dr. Swarnalata and Dr Samal stood tall, their bond unyielding in the face of adversity. Supported by her husband’s care and devotion, she weathered a head injury in an era when helmets were unheard of, spending a fortnight in a neurological institute in Nagpur. Despite the challenges, she recovered enough to resume her duties—delivering babies, performing surgeries, and overseeing postgraduate theses.
The passing of Dr. Khan in December 2023 marked the beginning of a decline in Swarna Lata’s health. Despite her own frailty, she selflessly cared for her husband during his final years, personifying the strength of their bond and her never-ending commitment to their partnership.
Mrs. Samal possessed a rare humility that charmed everyone who she met. Unassuming and devoid of any pretense, she treated everyone with dignity and made them feel at ease, whether they were colleagues, patients, residents, or students. Despite her expertise, she never flaunted her knowledge or position, preferring to wear simple saris and carrying herself with the unassuming grace of a woman from a village. Her distinctive Oria English style added to her unique charm, and she effortlessly mingled with her juniors. She succeded in nurturing an environment where learning thrived. Her kindness knew no bounds; she tirelessly cared for her juniors and patients, always attentive to their unspoken needs. Her thirst for knowledge was insatiable, constantly seeking to learn the latest advances in medicine and surgical techniques to better serve her patients. Though she may not have fit the mold of a typical professor, her impact on those around her was immeasurable. She left behind a legacy of compassion, humility, and dedication to the art of healing.
Today, as we bid farewell to Dr. Swarnalata Samal, let us remember her contributions to the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the profound impact she had on those around her. Dr. Swarnalata Samal, a healer, a teacher, a beacon of hope—may your legacy endure for all eternity. Our deepest condolences go out to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
