๐๐ฟ. ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ท๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ
(12 January 1956 โ 1 November 2025)
Our GMC Nagpur batch of ’73 is a little emptier today. Weโve lost one of our own: Dr. Rajendra Kokate, our dear batchmate from B Batch, Roll No. 117.
That small stretch of dissection hall benches, where Pramod Mahajan stood just ahead and Dilip Tikkas right behind him, feels silent now. He was anchored right there, a quiet presence flanked by familiar faces like Padmakar Somvanshi, Raju Phadke, Alka Desai-Naik, Sujata Savangikar-Balerao, Chandrashekhar Jambholkar, Pradeep Desai, and Rajiv Gargโthe solid core of roll numbers 110 to 120.
Rajendraโs journey began in Dabhadi, near Malkapur in Amravati district, the son of a farmer. His childhood was defined by simple hard work, deep hope, and dreams that reached far beyond the cotton fields of Vidarbha. He earned his way through his village school and Sitabai Sangai High School, eventually landing at Vidarbha Mahavidyalaya, Amravati. In 1973, twenty-four students from that college joined our GMC batch, Rajendra among themโa young man full of quiet resolve.
Those were the days we will always hold onto: hostel rooms crammed with laughter, cups of piping hot chai shared over frantic late-night study sessions, and the forging of friendships meant to last a lifetime. Rajendra was never the loudest voice in the room, but his smile was utterly infectious, and his laughterโwarm, sincere, and heartyโalways cut through the noise.
After his internship split between Nagbhid in Chandrapur and Civil Hospital, Amravati, he worked briefly as a tutor in Pathology. But the villages had a stronger pull. From Mangrulpir to Dhamangaon, Achalpur, Chikhaldara, Tembhursonda, and Daryapur, he served dutifully as a medical officer, moving from one primary health centre to the next. He believed deeply that medicine must reach the villages, and he lived that belief every day.
He found his life partner and colleague in Dr. Vijaya, who was also a medical officer. For years, they served side by side, caring for people who had little but gave boundless gratitude in return.
Fifteen years after we all graduated, Rajendra showed the remarkable courage that defined him. He returned to college for an MD (Medicine) at IGGMC, Nagpur, humorously referring to himself as a โmaturity-onset MD.โ He worked alongside students half his age, yet stood out not because of his maturity, but for his sheer discipline and quiet humility. Under Dr. Suresh Kate, he completed his thesis on blood groups and chest TB with characteristic diligence.
After his MD, he returned to Anjangaon and became Medical Superintendent at the Sub-District Hospital. Later, he retired as a Class I Officer and Civil Surgeon. In 2002, he chose voluntary retirement and began a private practice โ simple, honest, and devoted to outpatient care.
He was proud to see his son Vikram follow in his footsteps and become a physician (MD Medicine, JNMC, Wardha). His daughter-in-law, Minal, became an anaesthetist (KEM, Mumbai). That gave him deep joy โ to see the next generation walking the path he once did.
When faced with an advanced diagnosis of gall bladder cancer a few weeks ago, Rajendra met it with the same calm courage and grace he applied to everything in life. With a familiar half-smile he said, Iโll manage. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family.
When I think of him, I hear his hearty laugh and his warm, sincere voice. I remember the times he would send patients to MGIMS hospital, saying gently, โPlease look after them โ theyโre my people.โ We always did โ with affection and respect for the man he was.
One more wicket down. The innings is moving toward its close. We, the few still at the crease, watch in silence โ remembering the overs we played together, the runs we made, and the spirit that bound us. Rajendra has walked back to the pavilion, his innings complete, his game played with grace.
S.P. Kalantri
1 November 2025
