Chapter 37 Section 7 Kotnis stays in China forever

During the Anti-Japanese War, India sent a medical team to China, which was not only a representative event of Sino-Indian friendship during this period, but also an important Sino-Indian cultural exchange. In 1937, Edel, an Indian doctor who had helped the Spanish people, came to London. Together with progressive Indians residing in London, he established the China-India Committee to support the Chinese people in their war of resistance against Japan, and began preparations for organizing a medical team to aid China. On September 20, Nehru wrote: "I am pleased to learn that the China-India Committee was established in London. China and India are two ancient countries in the forest of nations in the world. To the dawn of history. Innumerable ties have bound India and China together for thousands of years, so whenever China suffers, it is natural to arouse the sympathy of the people of India.. In this war torn world Above all, it should be remembered that China and India are two countries that have always advocated peace, and one day their voices will be heard throughout the world. Although we ourselves are currently weak and cannot do much for the Chinese people, our hearts are with them Together, we should do everything we can to help them."

On November 27, 1937, General Zhu De, commander-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army, wrote a letter to Jawaharlal Nehru, chairman of the Indian National Congress Party, calling for the support of the international community.On the same day, Nehru called on the whole of India to hold a day of solidarity with China on January 9, 1938.The call has received strong support from various Indian political parties, trade unions, farmers' groups, the All India Women's Congress, the Progressive Writers Association of India, Tagore and people from all walks of life.Nehru selected Dr. Edel as the captain of the medical team to China. At the end of August, five selected members of the medical team gathered in Mumbai, including captain MM Edel (Chinese name is Edward), team members DS Kodinis (Ke Tinis), BK Basu (Basuhua) and so on.The Mumbai Provincial Committee of the Congress Party held a farewell meeting for the five. On September 1, five soldiers boarded the ship with an ambulance, an ambulance truck, a portable X-ray machine, 60 boxes of medicines and surgical instruments. Arrived in Guangzhou on September 17 and was welcomed by Soong Ching Ling and He Xiangning. He arrived in Changsha on the 26th and Wuhan on the 29th, and immediately put himself into the work of saving lives and healing the wounded. After 17 days, they were forced to retreat to Yichang.During this period, Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying and others met with them. On November 21, the medical team arrived in Chongqing.

On February 12, 1939, the medical team arrived in Yan'an. Mao Zedong, the leader of the Communist Party of China, and the soldiers and civilians in the border area warmly welcomed them.They did medical and teaching work there for 9 months. On November 4, Edward, Ke Tihua and Basuhua went to the front line, and arrived in Wuxiang County in southeastern Shanxi in late December. In April 1940, Kotnis and Basuhua organized a itinerant medical team, risking their lives in activities in North China.Soon, Ke Tihua stayed in Fuping Bethune International Peace Hospital and Health School to teach. In January 1941, he became the dean. In November, he married a Chinese girl Guo Qinglan.But unfortunately, he died of illness on December 9, 1942.Mao Zedong wrote on December 29: "A friend from India, Dr. Kotnis, came to China from afar to aid the Anti-Japanese War. He worked in Yan'an in North China for five years, treating the wounded, and died of overwork. The whole army lost a helping hand, and the nation lost a friend. Dr. Kotnis We should never forget the spirit of internationalism." Soong Ching Ling said in a message to India: "Not only the people of your country and our country will cherish the memory of him, but also the outstanding fighters who fought for human freedom and progress. The future will be given to He has a higher honor than today, because he is fighting for the future." Basuhua worked in Yan'an from February 1940 until he returned to China in June 1943.The famous Indian writer KA Abbas published the book "One Who Hasn't Come Back" in 1944 based on Dr. Basuhua's diary, dictation and other materials, which vividly and detailedly reported the situation of the medical team to China.The influence of this book in India is greater than "Westward Journey", because it has texts in six languages ​​and is circulated all over India.

Kotnis will remain in China forever, and in the hearts of the Chinese people forever.