ife Watch's special issue on the demise of Teacher of Teachers Padma Shri Prof. Mahdi Hasan.

Tribute from a Dhakkar to his junior Prof. Mahdi Hasan was junior to me by a year. I was admitted for the MBBS course in1952 while he was admitted in 1953. I passed in 1957 while he passed in 1958. Thereafter, he became a demonstrator in KGMC. We both were demonstrators in anatomy at the same time. We also did MS together in 1962, difference being that he got MS-Honours while I got MS. There were six students in MS at that time, but Mahdi Hasan was dearest to me and I too was closest to him. We used to consult each other in all thick and thin. We solved the difficulties together that we came across. Bond of our friendship continued to strengthen with time. We both went to Aligarh. I went to Ludhiana thereafter but he remained in Aligarh. In those days, we continued to meet as examiners. During those times, I was also made part of Board of Studies in Aligarh. He used to invite me for extension lectures in Aligarh. This served as an excuse for our frequent meetings. When I went to Rohtak, I called him as an examiner because we were so close we wanted to meet each other as frequently as possible. We were having family relations. I have played with Abbas while he was a kid. When we both came to Lucknow, our meetings became more frequent. He was very studious. He was so dedicated to anatomy that it would not be out of the way to call him Father of Anatomy. I say this because he has done a very original research on brain. He was an anatomist inside and outside. He was totally dedicated to anatomy. We had so many other interests, but he never thought of anything outside his medical profession. He was not of the type who would become jealous of others. His respect for his guru Dharam Narayan is exemplary. Since he was also my guru, Mahdi Hasan used to call me guru-bhai. In our times, seniors were referred as dhakkar. He used to say that I am his dhakkar and he is my junior. Such was our love and mutual respect. And such was his greatness. Apart from being a wonderful doctor and a renowned anatomist, what is more important is that he was a thorough gentleman and a very good friend. When I went to meet him over Eid this year, he was very ill. We both embraced each other. Since then, I too fell ill. Next I read in newspaper that he was no more and I was in hospital. I am so sad that I couldnt attend his last journey.

Dr. B.S. Pandey