Three Countries, Three Lives: A Doctor’s Story

by Lindy Rajan Cartner

Set between three countries, Burma, India, and England, and spanning three generations, Three Countries, Three A Doctor’s Story spans the period 1870 to 1977. Tracing India’s journey towards Independence in 1947, Lindy Rajan Cartner’s story explores racial attitudes under the influence of the Raj and highlights the complexity of the relationship between Britain and India. An Indian Tamil born in Rangoon, Cartner recounts her unusual childhood, the Mandalay bombing of 1942, her coming of age at the end of the British occupation of the subcontinent, and her remarkable experiences as a doctor and as a woman following India’s independence, in both India and, later, 1960s England. Beginning with the extraordinary experiences of her grandfather who became a doctor against all the odds, and her mother, an ardent woman in many ways ahead of her time and a despatch rider for the British in Rangoon during the war, the book is deeply revealing of Indian women’s struggles, exposing the conflicts between adhering to traditional customs and individual fulfilment. Cartner’s dual perspective, as an Indian woman and as a doctor, adds a new dimension, as she recalls her career in both deprived Indian communities and in the NHS. This poignant memoir offers an acute insight into life under the Raj, the racial prejudices of both British and Indian society, and the changing lives of women in this transformative period of history. Her story sheds much needed light upon the lives of Indian women, the social transformations since India’s independence, and the challenges inherent in Britain and India’s shared history.

344 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2023

Reviews

[GIridhar Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice portrayal of life and times of the author and this captures about more than a century (1870 - 2010s) with ease... Anyone who loves to know recent history and day-to-day life of people of those days -- will love this book thoroughly.
The author has portrayed the difficulties and unfair nature of life thats often meted out to women, but has presented that in a very agnostic way... she doesnt even sound borderline feminist and that evokes the senses of the reader to understand the true essence of the ways and tough situations faced by women in all walks of life. Also, in subtle ways the relationship and the attitudes of British people towards Indians and people of c0lor has been represented (this pertains to the authors' days).

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and feel that I should have known about these in my college days or at least before marriage!!

I bought this book very casaully without even a plan. I was at Crossword with my son and while waiting for him to pick his book, I got drawn to this book just based on the summary on the back cover!!!

Below is the gist of the story and for those who would love to enjoy reading the book, I suggest NOT to read any further..

The story is about the life of Lindy Rajan, who was born in Rangoon to Tamil Christian parents. Her grandfather was a Hindu who left his home at a very young age (when he came to know about the actual profession of his father, who was claiming to be a mystic who can help women bear children).. He was adopted by a pastor family and converted to christianity.. He is the author (Lindy's grandfather), who was born in 1870 and graduated as a LMP (a shorter version of MBBS) and worked for British govt in Rangoon. His service/pay in those days allowed him to return to Chennai with handsome money with which he bought a land in Wasan Street in T.Nagar (the street was named after him!!).. he also gifted his daughter (Lindy's mother) about an acre of property near MCC, Tambaram.
Lindy's mother was educated and seperated from her husband as she did not like traditional life of a wife!... Lindy was educated in early years in Rangoon and during 2nd world war, they had to witness bombings and hence came back to Chennai, where she started going to school.. but Lindy's mother put her at a boarding school in Bangalore (bishop Cotton).. After matric/SSLC, again in an unorthodox (rather bold) way she was admitted to Lady Thorborn college at Lucknow for XII/PUC.
After failing in Hindi once, she again took the exams the following year and then moved to Vellore to pursue MBBS in early 50s.
While completing medicine, she fell in love with Michael, an Anglo Indian and moved to England and in few years her husband died of heart attack in late 70s.
Her mother, sister and brother in law, and husband's brother all died in the next decade..
She remarried Alan in '89 and he too passed away in about 2014...

[Debabrata Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lindy Rajan Cartner's "Three Countries, Three Lives: A Doctor’s Story" unfolds as a captivating saga spanning Burma, India, and England over three generations from 1870 to 1977. The narrative skillfully navigates historical intricacies, particularly tracing India's journey to Independence in 1947, offering a profound exploration of racial attitudes influenced by the Raj and the nuanced dynamics shaping the relationship between Britain and India.

The memoir commences with Cartner's early years in Rangoon, providing a vivid portrayal of her unconventional childhood amidst the backdrop of the Mandalay bombing in 1942. As she matures during the waning years of British occupation, the narrative intricately unravels her experiences as both a woman and a doctor in post-Independence India & 1960s England. What distinguishes this memoir is the depth added through the exploration of her grandfather's extraordinary journey defying odds to become a doctor & her mother's trailblazing role as a despatch rider for the British during the war.

Cartner's dual perspective, as an Indian woman and a doctor, introduces a unique and insightful lens to the narrative. Her account of a career spanning deprived Indian communities and the NHS adds a compelling layer, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by women in varying societal contexts.

This memoir serves as a poignant exploration of life under the Raj, shedding light on prevalent racial prejudices in both British and Indian societies. This dual perspective not only reveals the complexities of personal and professional life but also underscores broader social transformations since India's independence.

In essence, it emerges as a significant contribution to literature, offering acute insights into the shared histories between Britain and India. Cartner's narrative not only illuminates the challenges and triumphs of Indian women but also provides a profound understanding of their lives amidst a changing social landscape. This memoir stands as a compelling testament to the resilience of individuals and the transformative power of history that explores the human experience across borders.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

First-hand account narrated by a Doctor about her life in different countries.

[Bapaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice reading. Very simple and open. A peek into the early life of people who migrated to Burma. Their life and hardships......