Dr. Mahendra Narain, M.R.C.P. (U.K.) F.R.C.P. (London) born on Nov. 9, 1937, in Gaya (Bihar, India) was a leading luminary of India. With formal medical education from Patna and then Super Specialization in England, Dr. Narain carried with him the elegance of an aristocrat and the soul of a simple man.

After having acquired his medical degree (M.B.B.S.) from Prince of Wales, Medical College, Patna in 1961, Dr. Narain joined as a House Physician in Patna Medical College and graduated to become a Senior House Physician and the Civil Assistant Surgeon to the Government of Bihar, India.

The going was good but the desire to learn and grow took him towards the west.

In March, 1966, the young and zealous Dr. Narain headed for London where he joined the South Western Hospital as House Physician. Between April, 1966 and July, 1969, he worked as Senior House Physician (Medicine) first at Plymouth General Hospital, U.K. and then at Newsham General Hospital, Liverpool.

Sheer dedication, perseverance and commitment to his work resulted in a greater zeal to excel in his desired field. While working as Medical Registrar-cum-Senior Registrar in Fazakarley District General Hospital (U.K.) between July 1969 and Dec. 1973, Dr. Narain passed the American exam E.C.F.M.G. in 1972. Then, there was no looking back! In 1973, he cleared the M.R.C.P. exam with Internal Medicine as a special paper. From March 1974 to Feb.’1975, Dr. Narain served as Consultant Physician and clinical lecturer in Medicine, St. James teaching Hospital, Leeds, U.K. During this time, he also took up a teaching assignment as a clinical lecturer for under-graduates and M.R.C.P. students.

His British Education inculcated in him the spirit of service and a fiery devotion towards his work and in his Indian upbringing were ingrained a deep sense of love and compassion for all. It was this combination, which groomed him to become a doctor of such high repute and recognition – not only in India but also in all his assignments in England.

Dr. Narain was essentially a doctor – a doctor with a golden heart – a heart that craved to be in his own motherland – a heart that longed to reach out to the poor and the needy and a heart that urged him to be with his ailing father in Patna. Hence in April 1975, Dr. Narain bid adieu to a promising career in England and returned to Patna.

As it is said, for the deserving, every land is a land of promises and Patna, the traditional and provincial city of Eastern India, welcomed Dr. Narain with open arms. From 1975 to 1983, Dr. Narain served first as Assistant Professor, then Associate Professor and then Head of the department of medicine at Nalanda Medical College, Patna, India.

Within years, Dr. Mahendra Narain became a household name and his name and fame grew like wildfire. Patients from Patna, the state of Bihar and neighboring states and also from neighboring countries like Nepal thronged around his clinic for consultation. Patients stood in serpentine queues outside his clinic and he came to be known as “The Doctor with the Healing Touch”.

With work, the devotion and passion multiplied and he would work till midnight and even into the wee hours of the morning for his patients, who waited for long hours to be examined only by Dr. Narain.

“Service above self” became the motto of his life and soon Dr. Mahendra Narain became the friend, Philosopher and guide to the rich and poor alike.

Dr. Narain’s work brought him many awards, accolades and recognition in his stride. He served as the personal physician to His Excellency, the Governor of Bihar for over twenty-five years and was Honorary Visiting Consultant to the Indian Red Cross Society.

Dr. Narain delivered a series of lectures in various cities of India and had a number of articles to his credit published in various magazines and Medical journals. Dr. Narain was often invited by social organisations and All India Radio to deliver awareness talks on medical and health related issues.

Dr. Narain participated in a number of medical conferences and was associated in varied capacities as Patron, Vice-President or Life Member with various medical organisation in India. He was also appointed as Examiner in Medicine for under-graduates and postgraduates for several years at different Universities in India.

In recognition of his exemplary services, Dr.Narain was honoured with the prestigious “Patna Ratna” (the gem of Patna) award in 1990 and “Bihar Vibhuti" (The doyen of Bihar) in 1995.

Dr. Narain lived his life like a “Man Possessed” - a man who immersed his self for others. Unfortunately, his own health suffered and after a brave battle with his illness, he breathed his last on April 30, 2005 in New Delhi, away from his beloved Patna.

Dr. Narain is survived by his equally generous and affable wife Mrs. Renuka Narain. Their three sons, who are well – placed in their respective fields, share the same passion and energy to carry forward the legacy of their illustrious father.

In Dr. Narain’s demise, the state of Bihar and the Medical fraternity has lost an able doctor, a dear friend and a worthy patron.