Richard Nongbet
“Not all angels have wings. Some have stethoscopes.” — Anonymous
I truly understood the meaning of this quote during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
It is never too late to let the world know about something that has touched your life forever. At a time when visiting doctors or hospitals had become almost impossible because of the fear of either getting infected or infecting others, one doctor stood out like a guardian angel. This Doctor’s Day, I would like to pay a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Deepankar Dutt, who went far beyond the call of duty, putting the needs of his patients above concerns for his own safety when many others had understandably suspended in-person consultations.
I still vividly remember that day in mid-June 2020. It was an otherwise ordinary afternoon. Everyone at home was relaxed, and the children were busy attending their online classes and completing their homework. Suddenly, I began to feel dizzy. At first, I dismissed it, hoping a little rest would help. But as time passed, the giddiness only worsened.
My family suggested that we call our neighbourhood doctor, who had treated me on a few earlier occasions. However, when I reached out to him, the response was different this time. Owing to the pandemic, he politely but firmly declined to see patients either at his clinic or at home, fearing the obvious risks posed by the virus. A visit to the hospital was also ruled out by my family because of the prevailing situation.
Just when we were beginning to lose hope, a friend mentioned Dr. Deepankar Dutt. He had heard that Dr. Dutt was still seeing patients despite the pandemic. That single piece of information felt like a ray of light in an otherwise dark moment.
I called him with little expectation, but to my immense relief, he immediately agreed to see me at his clinic. We were pleasantly surprised by his willingness to help. It was only later that I learned that throughout the peak of the pandemic, Dr. Dutt had continued to examine and treat patients in person, never allowing fear to outweigh his sense of duty and responsibility. While many chose to step back for understandable reasons, he chose to step forward for those who needed him the most. What touched me even more was what I came to know later. During the pandemic, when countless families had lost their livelihoods and struggled to afford even basic medicines, Dr. Dutt quietly extended a helping hand. I heard numerous stories of how he provided medicines free of cost to those who could not afford them. It did not matter whether they were his regular patients or had never consulted him before. Anyone who approached him in genuine need was never turned away.
Doctors like Dr. Deepankar Dutt remind us that medicine is not merely a profession—it is a calling rooted in compassion, courage, and selfless service. His unwavering commitment during one of the darkest chapters of our lives will forever remain etched in my memory.
On this Doctor’s Day, I extend my deepest gratitude and respect to Dr. Deepankar Dutt and to every healthcare professional who stood on the frontlines when humanity needed them the most. Your dedication gave countless families hope, comfort, and the strength to believe that even in the darkest times, there were angels among us—wearing white coats and carrying stethoscopes.
