Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (MB)
Mangalore, Oct 9: Dr V V Modi (83), president of Gujarati Mahajan Association, founder-member of Fr Muller Charitable Trust and former physician at Fr Muller Hospital here, passed away on October 7 following a heart attack at his residence in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
He is survived by his dentist son, Dr Pranav Modi.
More on Dr Modi ( inputs and pics courtesy: John Monteiro)
Dr Vihadlal Virchanddas Modi began his long, Mangalore-associated career in 1955, at a salary of Rs 500, after giving up a job which earned his Rs 700 a month in his home territory, Saurashtra.
He was born in Gujarat on August 28, 1923. He earned his MBBS and MD degrees from Grant Medical College, Mumbai and later had FCPS (Cardiology) from the College of Physicans and Surgeons, also in Mumbai.
Dr Modi speaking at a function in Mangalore organized in honour of the late Mother (now Blessed) Teresa during one of her visits to the city
Along with Dr P Venkat Rao, Dr Modi remained for a long time one of the twin pillars ast Fr Muller's. Until his death, he was associated with Fr Muller's as honorary senior physician.
Dr Modi being honoured at the 125th year celebrations of Father Muller health institutions in 2005
Except the language barrier, Dr Modi had an excellent rapport with the patients. Many of his patients did not know English or Hindi and Dr Modi did not know Konkani, Tulu or Kannada. So, communicating with patients was tricky, sometimes even amusing. He would ask patients if they had vomiting bouts – evoking no response. He had then to demonstrate vomiting with oral noise. Similarly to get response with a question if the patient had wind-passing problem.
But as years passed, Dr Modi became conversant in all local languages. He always spoke of the nice treatment he received from a succession of Hospital Directors, starting from Fr Marian Fernandes who recruited him. He always that people of Mangalore are very nice, helpful and hospitable.
Dr Modi had no regrets that he came to Mangalore. He says that both his wife and he were comfortable, contented and felt at home in Mangalore.
As for Mangaloreans, they should think that the Modis were Gujarat's gift to the city.