The sporting doctor

Died: Dr Dinyar Maneckji Gamadia, 78, genial cardiologist and avid sportsman, on June 20, 2011 in Bombay following renal failure.

A senior honorary at the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital (PGH), Gamadia was also attached to the Masina Hospital, Adams Wylie Red Cross Hospital, Lady Hirabai Jehangir Gamadia Clinic and was on the medical panel for Britannia Industries, Maza­gaon Docks, Bharat Heavy Electricals and for the wrestling matches that took place at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI). "I had established a good personal and professional relationship with him,” noted a condolence letter from cardiologist Dr Aspi Golwalla, former chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet.

"Our dear Dinyar’s life brought back good health and comfort to so many people around,” recalled Jeroo and Soli Irani of Florida. Added Vera Mehta who has been active with the United Nations’ humanitarian efforts, "We have the most treasured memories of Dinyar… He was most kind and caring, and always so very thoughtful of (the patients’) needs and medical condition. It is rare to find such a compassionate doctor in this day and age.” Many of his patients attested to his kind-hearted temperament. "We truly were lucky to be his patients,” noted a letter from Amy Guard of Poona, appreciating that "he was such a wonderful person, ever willing to help.”

"In spite of his busy schedule and attachment to several hospitals and various other charitable organizations, he readily gave his time and experience to regularly attend to matters concerning our Fund,” appreciated Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, chairman of The Parsi Dhandha Rojgar Fund. "The trustees recall the invaluable advice which he willingly rendered and the active role taken by him in promoting the objects of the Fund,” added the letter. Yet another institution with which he was connected was the F. N. Patel Mazagon Agiary Trust whose chairperson Dilbur Patel considered him "a respected and valued trustee.”

Dr Dinyar Gamadia (top) and in his youthful days (aabove)

President of the Cusrow Baug United Sports and Welfare League for many years he had also served as chairman of the Cusrow Baug Golden Jubilee Celebrations Committee in 1984 when he had observed, "We feel that Cusrow Baug is one of the most privileged and blessed of all the baugs. It is not just a shelter or haven but an experience in community togetherness and living to enhance Parsi luster on Indian soil.” He gave honorary service to its medical center for 40 years. Gratefully acknowledging the help Dinyar and his wife Dr Dilnavaz had rendered at different times, one of his fellow residents from Cusrow Baug, Melhi Chinoy, a nonagenarian reminisced, "whenever he used to pass by in his car he used to shout ‘Melhi’ loudly that still rings in my ears.”

The inception of the annual All Parsis Sports Meet in Bombay was the joint effort of Gamadia and the famed sports trainer, the late Jal Pardivala. Until three years ago he served as president of this activity that drew sportsmen from Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The tall and lanky Gamadia had won prizes as Mr Maharashtra in the Body Beautiful Competitions. The talented sportsman was a champion sprinter who had also won medals in almost all track and field events like discus throw, javelin throw, shot put for which he held a record in the Grant Medical College for many years, pole vault, high jump, long jump, gymnastics, swimming, water polo. Sunday afternoons invariably saw the horse racing enthusiast at the Race Course.

In fact, he excelled in sports since his early days and impressed onlookers when as a student at the Dastur School in Poona he took five wickets in a single over with his first five balls at a school tournament. Born in Aden, the family had relocated to Poona before the outbreak of World War II whilst his father continued working in Aden. When yet in school, he had once walked all the way from Poona to Bombay on the railway tracks, according to his life profile compiled by Zarin Havewala. He subsequently studied at the Wadia College in Poona before coming to Bombay to do his MBBS from the Grant Medical College and thereafter his MD in cardiology.

Besides excelling in academics Gamadia retained his interest in sports and was the volley ball captain of the Rajasthan Sports Club in Bombay. As a cadet of the University Training Corps that sought to cultivate the youth of the country into disciplined citizens he got an opportunity to drive army tanks. A King’s Scout, he treasured the War Service Badge conferred on him by Lord Baden Powell, adds Havewala.

His training at Poona’s Behman Physical Culture institute enabled him to perform several feats during his youth, notes his life profile: coming down 103 steps of Parvati Hills on his hands; doing a handstand atop the billboard of 501 bar soap at the Byramjee Jejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institute in Bombay; doing a handstand on an eight-layered pyramid of soda bottles and chairs, adding each layer while yet on his hands.

"Whenever Dinyar and Dadi met they discussed sports and body building. We were not aware of Dinyar’s ‘adventurous’ streak. What varied talents,” appreciated Silloo Engineer, wife of noted solicitor Dadi Engineer, former trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet.

He was among the Parsi medicos who practiced late at night for Dr Jehangir Wadia’s plays, revived and performed by the Parsi Medical Amateurs for the benefit of the PGH and various other charities. His role as Pallonji Pavlova in Madhouse no Mehmaan (Guest at the madhouse) where as a ballet dancer he wore a tutu and danced gracefully is remembered till this day. "The cardiologist channeled gymnastic training from his student days to execute neat pirouettes and an amazing full split, to deafening applause and cries for encores,” wrote Meher Marfatia in her recently launched book Laughter in the House! As Gamadia had recounted for the author, "Those were magical moments. We never dreamt we’d be called upon to display old talents.” Besides gymnastics, for another scene he was required to blow the horn as a bugle in a battle scene between the Kakalias and the Bhagarias. As reminisced Dr Marzban Nalladaru, erstwhile resident medical officer of PGH and his wife Thrity, "What lovely times we all had together during our drama years. Who can forget the wonderful rendition of his ballet dance?” Being a proficient dancer Gamadia could perform ballroom dancing, waltzes and modern dances with ease, having won many competitions.

As notes a tribute to him, "Dinyar was tender and encouraging with the young, compassionate with the aged and sympathetic with the striving.”

The heart-warming cardiologist is survived by his wife Dr Dilnavaz, daughter Tushna and son Dr Kaywan.