The world lost a great one today. Dr. Sanjoy Sen (affectionately called “Laddoo”) succumbed to COVID, while fighting to save lives and being a front line hero as a medical professional.
Sanjoy died last night in India. He was a star athlete, brilliant student, College Captain, and all around good guy, at one of India’s elite boarding schools. I remember him well. His senior year in high school, we were impressionable sixth graders. He was the ideal role model. Smart, athletic, but most importantly kind and humble. Always stopping to talk to us kids, with a friendly smile and a jovial disposition.
He was my brothers classmate and a good friend to him. He spent his adult life in the service of others, and he died doing exactly that — serving others. Rest well, Dr. Sen. The world is a lesser place without you.
About Hemant Rustogi
Truly a great human being. We came in touch with Doc in 2011 and told my wife we from enemy school Sem and Sherwood jokingly. He handled our case so well although complicated that he himself use to be in a thoughtful mood, finally we were blessed with a baby boy. We were so happy then and yesterday when we heard Doc u were no more u brought tears in our eyes. Thank you sir.
Will miss you. RIP
Thank you for this post. Dr. Sen was my doctor and brought my younger son to the world. His kind and gentle nature was endearing.
I have a sweet tale about him. When I was at Hope Clinic (which incidentally was his residence too) the nurses insisted I take tea. My friends know I dislike tea. I can barely have it if it is without sugar and milk. So I insisted on just tea. The nurses concluded that I was diabetic. So while other patients had a dessert with their meal I did not. I didn’t know that this was happening. One afternoon as I was having my lunch tray on my bed the doctor walked in. He asked the nurse gently why I wasn’t given dessert and she gave her explanation. Dr. Sen assured her that I wasn’t diabetic and could be given dessert. That afternoon around teatime there was a knock on my door. Mrs. Sen was there with a box of pastries from Cookie Jar. She gave it to me apologising for the oversight. I was happy and embarrassed. May I add the nursing home was small with few beds and the Sens made all the meals in their kitchen supervised by Mrs. Sen. Such was the warmth of my dear doctor, Dr. Sanjoy Sen.
I knew Laddoo well, liked him a lot. He had an infectious smile and a genuinely easy going temperament. Very sad to learn of his departure. We had an Arvind Rastogi in our 1970 batch…are u his brother? From Moradabad, rite?
Satish Tyagi, FT
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