The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DURING a recent visit to his home country of India, Dr M R Kavala was honoured for his “stalwart dedication and leadership” during Golden Jubilee Celebrations for members of the 1965 class at the Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnma, where he studied medicine.

Dr Kavala, who now lives and operates a private general practice in Grand Bahama, was taken by surprise when he was recognised for his achievements at the college and his work in the field of medicine by the students, professors, administration and the dean at the medical college.

He described the occasion as “one of the most memorable events in my life”. In addition to being honoured, Dr Kavala was able to re-establish friendships with many people he had trained with 50 years ago at the medical college.

“I was not very sure if I would be able to recognise many of them, but…after the two days of events, I was extremely happy that I had decided to go,” he said.

Every year, Dr Kavala and his wife, Nalini, travel to India to visit family and friends and to give back to the community where he grew up by hosting a luncheon for the people there, similar to the senior citizens’ luncheon he holds annually in the Eight Mile Rock community where he now runs a general practice.

Dr Kavala has worked as a general practice physician serving as district medical officer for 30 years in the public healthcare system in The Bahamas before retiring.

At the banquet celebration, Dr Kavala was draped by his colleagues in a special shawl, and presented with a plaque, with an inscription that read, “Memory Beyond Measure.”

During his years at Andhra Medical College, Dr Kavala was an outstanding student. His achievements included successfully overseeing the business centre of the college, which included the operation of the student co-operative stores.

“They were not running well and it was decided in the professors’ meeting to nominate me as the secretary, and I made it clear that I needed to have the liberty to choose my own board of directors and there should not be any elections for them, and it was agreed. I chose almost everyone from my college batch.

“With determination, we achieved beyond anyone’s imagination and raised the turnover of that business 10 times in that year. As I was presented with the award, the college dean acknowledged my achievement and a standing ovation was given as I stood before them,” he recalled.

In addition to his medical studies at Andhra, Dr Kavala loved photography and won two top awards. He placed second of more than 10,000 entries in the National Photography Competition, and won the best photography award at the Inter-University Cultural Festival celebrations where 100 universities in India participated.

Dr Kavala attributed his achievements to the encouragement and support of his classmates and professors.

According to his profile, Dr Kavala is well recognised for his interest in the field of community health. He has also written newspaper articles on his specialised field tropical medicine and international community health. In 2014, he was honoured by the Medical Association of the Bahamas at a reception at Government House in New Providence by then Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes in recognition of having completed 40 years of distinguished service as a physician.

“All this could not have been achieved without the firm support of everyone in my batch. That is why that batch is very special to me and a memory beyond measure,” he said.

Dr Kavala has two daughters: Gita Kavala, who specializes in global health at the University of New York, and Latha Kavala who has been working at the Jarvik Heart company, which manufactures artificial hearts.