What you are seeing here is a handsome 216-page coffee table biography of my dear friend Dr. B. K. Goyal that was painstakingly and lovingly compiled by his son (and also my friend) Rahul Goyal last year. Titled ‘A Few Heartbeats’. And taking the reader from Dr. Goyal’s birth to the final farewell at Banganga in a moving state funeral with a 21-gun salute. It stands with pride on my bookshelf. I took it down today because today would have been Dr. Goyal’s 89th birthday. Not to read. I know every word that’s printed on its glossy pages. And I have contributed a tribute to the autobiography myself. But just to sit and look at. To turn the pages slowly. Reliving his life as it were. And also to be grateful that among the Presidents and Kings, Prime Ministers, Governors, Sportspersons and Film Stars whom he knew, I was also his friend.
I miss Dr. Goyal with all my heart.
And regret his passing away in February 2018. The large and generous heart of the country’s most eminent cardiologist gave up on him suddenly and quietly. When he was at the breakfast table. Getting ready for another day at the Bombay Hospital where he was Dean and Head of Cardiology for more years than my own heart is beating. The day before, at 85, Dr. Goyal did 20 angioplasties in the hospital’s Cath Lab. And then he walked out of Bombay Hospital one last time. A tall and familiar figure. Jaunty in his suit and trademark bow tie. A cheerful grin on his humorous face and a spring in his step. Pleased with his day’s work. But not finished for the day, yet. Walking across to his office where more patients waited for reassurance. Leaving behind hundreds of hearts he had repaired, now broken.
Sunday night I was at his house in Breach Candy overlooking the sea. Sitting on the terrace in November’s early winter breeze enjoying a Cognac and Cigar with Rahul. There was just one star shining bright in the dull black sky. Poetically, I thought it was Dr. Goyal looking down at us indulgently. In the house is a large portrait of him. Watching silently. With an amused but alert expression. Behind it framed on the wall, are three of the four highest civilian awards any Indian can get. The Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Vibhushan. Dr. Goyal got them for his exceptional and distinguished service to medicine. He was due for the Bharat Ratna. And you cannot go higher than that. But God rewarded Dr. Goyal for his time on earth by taking him away to rest in a better place. I wished him a Happy Birthday when I left.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, as well as Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience as well as knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police as well as its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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