Dr. J. N. Kanjilal's 109th Birthday Celebration: August 31, 2017 at Baruipur,South 24 Parganas

Birth :30^th August 1908 – A Red letter day in the history of Indian Homoeopathy.
On this day, in a small hamlet of East Bengal, the present Bangladesh, was born our Guru Dr Jnananedra Nath Kanjilal. After completing his education at the Carmichael Medical College (MB 1936), he started his practice at a small village called Daulatpur near Khulna in 1938.
Transformation :Being a staunch Freedom fighter, he was jailed at Khulna. It was there, in the dark prison rooms, his affair with Homoeopathy began. Being an avid reader, he immediately took this newer approach to treat the sick and drowned himself in the basics of Homoeopathy. The severe epidemic of 1940 of Cerebral Malaria in his village changed his life forever. He found remarkable success with Homoeopathic medications in controlling the epidemic. This inculcated in him a deep sense of commitment and respect for the science.
Professional career :Being a Master academician, he was associated with D N Dey Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. He taught various subjects as Pathology, Clinical Medicine, Materia Medica, Philosophy and Gynecology. A firm believer in the original Hahnemannian thoughts, he often remarked “Scientific training differentiates a therapist from a quack.” Having a roaring practice at Kolkata, his approach to the patient and prescriptions blended perfectly with the principles of the Organon.

Academic Associations :He was a Life member and a General Council member of the All India Homoeopathic Medical Association. He was also the only member of the Central Council of All India Institute of Homoeopathy simultaneously. An indefatigable crusader for unity, he was the founder of the West Bengal Homoeopathic Federation and went on to unite the two All India Associations to form The Homoeopathic Medical Association of India. The Homoeopathic fraternity, as a token of gratitude and acknowledgement of the services he rendered, bestowed the coveted chair of the President of Honor for life. There was no National committee appointed by the Government of India, without him being its vital force. Some of these being the Research Committee, Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Committee, Planning Commission Task Force etc. He was the Assistant International Vice President for India of the International Homoeopathic Medical League and also president of the All India Homoeopathic Editors Guild. Till before his retirement about a year ago, he was regular participant in International Congresses. I can recount an instance worth mentioning which depicted his deep sense of commitment to the Hahnemannian philosophy and an unwavering zeal that set him apart from the rest. It was at the time when a discussion was taking place at the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia committee of the Drug Technical Advisory Board of India on inclusion of patents in homoeopathic pharmacopoeia. Without giving any second thought, when his objections were getting over-ruled he immediately placed his resignation letter. Along with the parent drugs like Alfalfa, Cineria maritima, Euphrasia, etc were retained in pure forms and no mixtures were allowed. With his characteristic fervor and single minded efforts, he fledged members. He was perhaps the only one to return his M B S degree following criticism regarding the modalities of the awards.

Publications :His contribution to the academic and scientific field is outstanding. He has published several extremely useful papers. His hard hitting editorials in the popular journal Hahnemannian Gleanings on a variety of subjects were an eye opener and food for thought. He was one of the torch bearers and advisor of the Homoeopathic Heritage as well as the editor of the Journal of the Homoeopathic Medical Association of India. He even offered valuable suggestions and his precious rare books for reprint. He was ready to sacrifice anything for a cause or a principle.
Even in his ripe old age, in fact just for a year previous to his death, he remained very mobile and used to attend all conferences and meetings in India and abroad where his august presence was required. He was a colossus in the Homoeopathic field – a multifaceted personality, the likes of which can never be duplicated.
By: Prof Dr Kasim Chimthanawala