No Nimhans proposal yet for Basu’s brain: SSKM doctors
By IANSThursday, January 21, 2010
KOLKATA - The SSKM Hospital was yet to receive any proposal from the premier National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) on preserving the late Jyoti Basu’s brain, an official said Thursday.
“We have not received anything so far from the Nimhans. If they really want to preserve Basu’s brain, they should inform us fast so that we can make necessary arrangements accordingly,” said Pradip Kumar Mitra, the medical superintendent of the state-run Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), popularly known as SSKM Hospital.
He said the SSKM authorities would preserve Basu’s used articles like his dress materials, spectacles, shoes and pen which were with the body when it was handed over to the hospital’s anatomy department.
Bappa Ghosh of Udayer Pathe, a city-based social organisation which provided the hearse to carry Basu’s mortal remains from Peace Haven to the hospital, also expressed the willingness to preserve the stretcher and the hearse.
“It was a great privilege to provide the vehicle to carry the body of such a great leader,” Ghosh said.
Meanwhile, a group of doctors from R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital also evinced their interest in conserving Basu’s teeth.
The 95-year-old Basu died Jan 17 in a Kolkata hospital after battling multiple illnesses.
He had pledged to donate his eyes and body for medical research and treatment.
Basu held the record for the longest stint of 23 years as chief minister. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader almost became India’s prime minister in 1996, but was held back by his party.
