DR CN Manjunath is a wellknown name in the field of health. His simplicity, concern for the poor, knowledge in cardiology, discipline, his eagerness to solve the problems of the ailing patients and above all his humane approach to any and every problem he encounters at any point of time have made him a living legend. Being the director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Bangalore, Dr Manjunath has brought many changes in the functioning of the institute.
For many patients, Manjunath is nothing short of God.
This book is the biography of Dr Manjunath written by veteran journalist MK Bhaskar Rao. As Justice AJ Sadashiva, retired judge of the Karnataka High Court, has rightly pointed out in his forward, two biographies run hand in hand in this book.
One is of the institute and the other of Dr Manjunath, because the two are inseparable.
One cannot imagine the recent growth of Jayadeva Institute without getting into the details of the life of Dr Manjunath.
Born in a moderate family in Cholenahalli of Channarayapattana taluk, Dr Manjunath had a humble beginning. At the age of 10, he suffered high fever. His father Nanjappa Gowda carried the son on his shoulders, first to a hospital in Channarayapattana, seven km from Cholenahalli and then to Udayapur, further away from the taluk headquarters.
The father’s effort to get him medical treatment made Manjunath to decide to go for medical education and help the poor in the villages.
He achieved his goal with great difficulty overcoming all odds.
He did his MBBS, MD and even the post-doctoral research in cardiology. Despite his achievements in higher education and his social status, he continues to be humble, polite and treats everyone equally, irrespective of their status in the society.
His qualities and his social behaviour have made him popular among all.
Everyone knows he is the son-in-law of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda.
This is the time when even a very thin relation with such a strong family can make one enough stronger to take every benefit in the society. But Manjunath’s close association with the Gowda family has never made him arrogant, egotist or heartless. Or he never made use of the name of the Gowda family to influence anyone or even to take any personal benefit. In medical field he is a well-known figure because of his knowledge and expertise. He is an expert in mitral valvuloplasty, a procedure used to treat congenital heart diseases.
His social status, knowledge and expertise could have made him one of the richest persons in the society.
He could have settled in any Western country. But he stayed back in Jayadeva and dedicated himself to give the best service to the poor.
Bhaskar Rao has done a good job by writing the inspiring biography of such a great person. The title of the book is ‘Samaajamukhi’ which means a person who has focused his life for the welfare of the society. It would have also been appropriate if the book was called ‘Karmayogi’ (a person who becomes one with the God through his work).
arun@expressbuzz.com