Mr. Siddhartha Mukherjee’s maternal and paternal grandparents were from ‘East Bengal’, now Bangladesh.
As I remember, my cousin ‘Boomba’ lovingly called by one and all in the family, and his growing up years were spent in his paternal home, B-3 block Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi.
Siddhartha’s first step to learning began at home amongst family comprising of Paternal grandma, “Thakrurma”, parents, and elder sister Ranu. He enjoyed spending time with his maternal grandpa, the loving Dadu, at Nani House. As a tiny tot, Siddhartha attended Mongrace Montessori School, then in A1 Blocks Safdarjung Enclave.
Since an early age, Siddhartha had a curious, creative mind in various fields. It was amazing! He was full of energy in his formative years. Siddhartha thereafter did his schooling from Saint Columbus School, Gole Dhadkana, Delhi. He was not only good in academics but had varied interests during his school days. He loved swimming, learned Rabindra Sangeet, dabbled in creative artwork and today I am told, enjoys cooking!
In his final year at school in Saint Columbus, Siddhartha was awarded the “Sword of Honour”. This prestigious recognition is given to the ‘Best all-rounder student in senior school’. (Incidentally, Shahrukh Khan is also a recipient of this honour.)
Siddhartha graduated from Stanford University, US., A Rhodes Scholar, University of Oxford, Harvard Medical School. Having been consistent with good academic record, he was able to avail scholarship all through to complete his studies. Slowly and steadily, he worked hard to achieve his aspirations.
As of now, Bro Siddhartha is a physician and researcher, and a stem cell researcher too. He is Associate Professor, Medicine at Columbia University, US. His articles and recent books published are well appreciated.
In 2011, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction book, “The Emperor of Maladies”. Dr. Siddhartha was conferred the Padma Shree by our late President Pranab Mukherjee.
He had the opportunity to meet the former President of the United States, Barack Obama, and his wife, Michelle Obama, in White House.
In the US, he has a laboratory, where a team internationally recognized is working on blood cancer.
Currently in Bangalore, India, Siddhartha is in a business collaboration with Kiran Mujumdar Shaw.
My Indian American cousin lives in New York with his wife and two lovely daughters.
God bless Dr. Siddhartha for being an asset to humanity and serving the society with his medical expertise and knowledge.
May I take the liberty to fondly remember my late ‘Pishomoshai’, Mr. Shibeshwar Mukherjee- a caring, dutiful family man. A God-fearing, devout, ‘Maa Kali’ Bhakt, Founder member of our Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Matri Mandir, and my ‘pishi’ Chandana, A graceful lady, for being patient and source of inspiration, a mother to Ranu and Boomba!
As a fellow resident and relative, I am proud to have Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee as a part of the Safdarjung Enclave New Delhi fraternity!!
