September 13, 2024

It is not unusual to celebrate the golden jubilee of a birthday, wedding day, ordination day of individuals, but it is not common to celebrate the golden jubilee of the literary journey of an individual. This unique celebration will be on Sunday, September 15 in Mangaluru by Karnataka Konkani Writers’ Association, where renowned doctor, Dr Edward Nazareth, professor of orthopaedics will be celebrating the ‘Golden Jubilee of Literary Journey in Konkani literature’. His first article (translated to Konkani from Kannada) was published in 1974 in Poinnari, a Konkani periodical published from Mumbai. At that time, Dr Edward Nazareth was still a student of 9th standard at St Mary’s Junior College, Shirva.

The celebration of ‘Golden Jubilee of literary journey’ of Dr Edward Nazareth is unique for two reasons. Good number of writers discontinue writing after a few years, but Dr Edward Nazareth has continued writing in Konkani relentlessly for the past 50 years. As he grew in age and in knowledge, his literature also grew with him. He is one of the regular writers in Konkani even now. The second reason is, he is the only doctor of modern medicine (both in Goa and Karnataka) who has produced vast and quality literature in Konkani- articles on health-related issues, short stories and novels. There are few doctors whose articles on health are occasionally published in Konkani, but no one has contributed as much as Dr Edward Nazareth.

‘A doctor with a difference’

Dr Edward Nazareth’s first article was the translation of a Kannada article on aloe-vera. That was the foundation of thousands of articles on health-related issues he wrote afterwards. His first article on modern medicine, was on tetanus which was published in Raknno, the Mangalore diocesan weekly in 1979, when Dr. Edward Nazareth was in his 3rd year of MBBS at Mysore Medical College, Mysore. In between the first translated article in 1974 and his own article in 1979, several short stories for children written by him were published in Raknno. During his training period for MBBS, several articles on common health issues, and mainly on false and traditional beliefs of diseases were published regularly in Raknno. Late Fr Mark Valder, who was the editor of Raknno, whom Dr Edward Nazareth adores as his literary mentor and supporter, edited a book titled ‘Bori Bholayki’ (Good Health) containing the health articles mainly written by Dr Edward Nazareth and a few by other doctors (which were translated to Konkani by Raknno). This is the first book on health issues in Konkani. The book was released on May 1, 1985 by Dr Nelly Nazareth, his bride at the wedding reception at Shirva. It is probably the only book released by an author’s bride at their wedding reception. (The book has more than 80% articles written by Dr Edward Nazareth in Konkani).

From the beginning, other than giving basic information needed to common readers on illnesses, he emphasised how diseases and illness can be prevented. He has the knack for feeling the pulse of his readers and touching their hearts in simple words. He can explain complex medical terminologies and mechanisms in easy ways so that a common reader can understand. This has given him a vast readership. Dr Edward Nazareth’s mission is ‘Educating the common people on health’. He has been doing it through his writings on common ailments which has helped thousands of people to understand the diseases and maintain good health. It reminds us of a write up by late Cyril G Sequeira on Dr Edward Nazareth where he wrote, ‘Dr Edward is people’s doctor’.

Nazareth publication and books

While reading and talking about sexual health is still considered as a taboo, Dr Edward Nazareth boldly wrote several articles in Konkani periodicals like ‘Kannik’ and ‘Amcho Yuvak’ in the 1980s and 90s on issues related to sexual health and problems. That was the time when AIDS had started spreading in our region. Dr Edward’s articles on healthy sexual habits and relationship were enlightening to the youth of those days. He compiled these articles into a book and published ‘Yuvazonank Leingik Sixon’ (Sex education to youth) through his own publication-Nazareth Publication in 1995. By then he had joined Father Muller Medical College Hospital (then known as Father Muller Hospital) as a faculty in the department of orthopaedic Surgery. This book was very well accepted by Konkani youth, 4000 copies were sold within four years.

Dr Edward Nazareth published several books in Konkani through this publication in the following years and these books were very popular amongst the readers of Konkani. Other than the first book (Bori Bholayki), Raknno publication also published the latest book, ‘Mogachya Dakteraba’. With these, 10 books written by Dr Edward Nazareth on health issues are published till date. 8 of these are through Nazareth publication.

Dr Edward Nazareth’s articles on health issues are being published regularly in almost all the Konkani periodicals published in Kannada script, and in some of the parish bulletins. There may not be any health issue on which Dr. Edward has not written. He has written on health of children, health of middle aged, health of the elderly. When COVID was rampant, misinformation was spreading on social media. Dr Edward Nazareth wrote several articles enlightening the scientific facts of COVID infection.

His column, ‘Mogachya Dakteraba’ (Dear Doctor) in Raknno is very popular where Dr. Edward Nazareth answers health related questions asked by the readers. Part of these are already published in the form of a book by Raknno Publication.

Heart touching short stories

Dr Edward Nazareth is also popular for the short stories in Konkani. He had written several short stories for children at the beginning of his writing career. His first literary short story was published in Sevak monthly in 1975. Over the years he has written hundreds of short stories. His short stories are popular for their characterization and picturisation of reality. They are known for his emphasis on human relationships and human values.

So far 5 books of the short story collections are published. ‘Vodlem Fest’ the compilation of 75 selected short stories, published by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, is a literary treasure in Konkani. Recently ‘Mrigzal’ an e book and an audio book of 20 short stories has been published by Vally Quadras for Ashavadi Prakashan. Three international webinars were held from Goa recently on his short stories where 6 papers were presented.

He has written two novels. Nirmone was published by Raknno publication which was also a non-detailed text book for undergraduate students of Konkani at St Aloysius College few years ago. Kantyani Bhandllem vodth is the other novel published by Kannik publication.

Recognition and awards

Dr Edward Nazareth’s contribution to the society is well recognised and awarded. He has received several prestigious awards like ‘Life time award by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy’, ‘Daijidubai literary award’, ‘Sandesha state award for Konkani’, ‘Konkani Kutam Bahrain award’ and many more. He was invited as a guest to Dubai and Doha where he was felicitated.

Dr Edward Nazareth and Daijiworld

Dr Edward Nazareth has a long association with Daijiworld. The popular ‘Ask Doctor’ column was started in Daijiworld website in 2003 and continued till the 200th edition and concluded in 2017. The readers of Daijiworld from all over the world were sending questions on issues related to health and Dr Edward Nazareth answered them. Nearly 3000 questions were answered through this column.

When Daijiworld TV started, he had a regular talk, ‘Arogya Sowbhagya’ in Kannada where he has presented nearly 200 short talks.

During COVID pandemic, he wrote regularly on the disease. 14 articles on the pandemic were published in Daijiworld enlightening readers on pandemic.

Other than this, he has presented several talks on health on Daijiworld TV.

A busy professional

Most of the people who know Dr Edward Nazareth wonder how he gets time for his literary activities. He is a full-time faculty in medical college-earlier in Fr. Muller Medical College, where he served for 29 years and for the past 3 years, he is at Srinivas Medical College, Mukka. He had private consultation at Mallikatte and now he sees patients at Colaco Hospital, Mangaluru in the evening.

He is also busy in the associations of his profession. He was the editor of Journal of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association for 3 years, then he served as the secretary general for 3 years and president of the association for the year 2023-24. He travels to several cities in and out of the state as a resource person in postgraduate teaching programmes and also as the examiner in postgraduate examinations.

“I manage all this because God has blessed me with the gift of time management,” says Dr Edward Nazareth.