Dr Captain Natarajan Iyer: A healer in war zone

 

 

 

Apart from brilliant strategy, meticulous planning and flawless execution, the war is also won by active participation and synchronised coordination. We have read about the experiences of many bravehearts who participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War with a gun in their hand. This soldier with a scalpel also was part of the war. Dr Captain Natarajan Iyer, a Nagpurian and a veteran of 1971 war who had experienced the battle from a close quarter in the Eastern Sector, joined the Army Medical Corps (AMC) as a Short Service Commission Officer in the year 1969. He was associated with one of the surgical units in Gangtok, Sikkim as a surgical specialist. On November 24, he was asked to move to Binnaguri Field Hospital so that he could render medical help to the wounded. The task in front of this medical officer during the testing times was huge - of keeping the force fighting fit and helping the injured soldiers to recover.

 

 

 

Dr Iyer, while talking to The Hitavada narrated his experience, “I was performing my duties as a surgical specialist in Gangtok. A few days before the war, I went to my home town on annual leave. When I returned in the last week of November, our team was already on exercise in which we had to move with the unit wherever they went. During this time, we entered East Pakistan with the help of Mukti Bahini. After entering the territory, we crossed a river in Bangladesh and reached the unit inside East Pakistan.” Elaborating further, Dr Iyer recollected, “It was very late - around 2 am on December 3 when after checking everything, we retired. I don’t think much time passed after we returned to our tents when suddenly, in the early hours, we heard the artillery fire and the sound of bombings filled the air. This was the start of war between India and Pakistan. As medical personnel deployed with the Unit, our job was clearly demarcated. We, along with the help of Mukti Bahini, hastily constructed an underground hospital, which was 8 to 10 feet below ground level in Rangpur area, and were all set to treat the injured.”

 

Recalling how how scary the whole scenario was, Dr Iyer said, “The incessant bombing, the stream of injured being brought in, all eight medical personnel were hard pressed.” With lives at stake, Dr Iyer’s task was indeed very tough! He was a doctor first, but he was also a soldier. And juggling both the tasks was tough. “It is not easy to perform under the umbrella of war zone where one has to try one’s best to save a life even during heavy shelling,” he added. Remembering the tough times, he informed that he was the only surgeon available in the camp performing surgeries day in and day out. “My team performed around 800 operations in those 13 days of conflict. I still recollect executing around 15 to 20 heart surgeries to remove bullets and keep the soldiers safe till they reached the company hospital which was 12 hours away from the battle field. Every hour an injured soldier was brought at the camp for treatment -- some with broken bones, some with head injuries and some with a bullet somewhere in their body.

 

The last days were really strenuous as the team continuously worked day and night to save precious lives. The adrenaline rush kept us on our toes and I recollect never feeling tired, but somewhere the pain of the soldiers and working in cramped spaces did take a toll on our health,” Dr Iyer says. A man with a golden heart, Dr Capt Natarajan Iyer not only treated the Indian soldiers and the Mukti Bahini, but didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand to either the civilians or the enemy too. The Indians captured one of the school’s buildings to open a theatre for surgeries and provide treatment to those admitted in Dhaka in East Pakistan. When asked about the operation of a Brigadier from Pakistan, Capt Iyer narrates, “We all are humans and it is the duty of a doctor to save lives. As the soldiers of Indian Army were fighting to save the nation, the Pakistanis also were doing the same job. I operated on him with an aim to save a human life. I was appreciated by one and all for this task. But the icing on the cake was our victory. This is indelibly etched in the heart and soul of every warrior who was part of the 1971 war,” he adds. Dr Capt Natarajan Iyer saved many lives during the 13-day war. The Army honoured Dr Captain Natarajan Iyer with the Sena Medal for his great commitment and the nation salutes him for his bravery.