Diogenes , the Greek cynic philosopher (3rd century B.C.), always seen with a lighted lantern in broad daylight looking for a good man , would certainly stop his search at finding Dr Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965). A man of many-sided genius-author, builder, humanitarian, musician, nature-lover, philosopher, physician , preacher, protector of animals, theologian among others, Albert Schweitzer was born on 14 January 1875 at Gunsbach , in Kaisersberg , Alsace (then belonging to Germany but now part of France). Of all the awards , honours and prizes he received , the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for devoting 50 years of his life to the native sufferers of Lamberéné in the French Equatorial Africa, now Gabon remains monumental.

A recent visit to his birth- place, presently a museum with nearly all his personal belongings, was a long cherished dream that came true. It was indeed a pilgrimage, a glowing tribute to his memory. From Haute Pierre, Strasbourg , the drive through orchards of fruit trees, vineyards and corn-fields extending to the hills and valleys was awe- inspiring and breath-taking. Deeply moved and even carried away by all that kept flashing through my mind about the man who has always meant so much to me ? a mentor, a tower of strength ? I felt almost ill .

Without belittling other Nobel Peace Prize winners who have, in their own way , contributed towards working for peace, I consider Dr Albert Schweitzer as No. 1 and Mother Teresa as No. 2 on the list and the most deserving of them all . While Mother Teresa through the Missionaries of Charity worked in the slums among the destitute, ?the poorest of the poor? in Calcutta (now Kolkatta), Dr Albert Schweitzer resigned from prominent positions that were earning him fame and good living in order to serve the sick, the superstitious and the unschooled of that part of the world . No matter how much his parents, colleagues , friends , parishioners or relatives dissuaded him from embarking on his perilous adventure in the thick forests of Equatorial Africa on the Ogowé River , true to his Alsatian stubbornness, he simply did not listen to anyone.

What is amazing is that he joined as a medical student at the age of  30  the very University of Strasbourg where he was himself  professor of philosophy and theology . He was later appointed to the pastoral staff of St Nicholai?s Church in Strasbourg. Dr Albert Schweitzer had also  published several books on philosophy , theology, and organ building, as well as a  biography of J.S Bach and others but he had always been eager to serve his fellow men ; so, he vowed when turning 21 that he would give it all up at 30  to devote himself to direct service to humanity. To this end , he completed his medical studies with specialisation in tropical medicine and surgery at the age of 38. ?I wanted to become a doctor in order to  be able to work without words?,  Schweitzer would later write . 

The title of an article, The Needs of the Congo Mission in a pamphlet distributed by Paris Missionary Society had marked the turning - point of his life. Though rejected by the Missionary Society because of his liberal views, Dr Schweitzer and his wife Hélène Bresslau, a trained nurse also active in social work raised enough funds to run a hospital for two years.

In March 1913, they left for Lambaréné. Once there , they found hundreds of patients already waiting for treatment. Among the diseases Dr Schweitzer treated were skin ailments of various kinds, heart troubles, hernias, leprosy, sleeping sickness , tropical dysentery, whooping cough and venereal diseases.

Without any existing medical building around for the patients, he was obliged to turn a hen house built by some former missionary into a temporary hospital. Having no window to let in air and light, it was dark and small but had at least a roof to protect against the rain and the sun. Shelves to keep the supplies, a bed and a table were improvised so as to attend to the patients. His wife Hélène with her training as a nurse was helping with preparing instruments and bandages. Returning to their villages , the patients had many stories to tell. They would say the ?white wizard? had greater powers than their own fetish men. They believed so blindly in superstition and witchcraft that the stethoscope and the anaesthetics used in the surgery were a source of wonder and awe .

However, World war I (1914 -1918) upset his work at Lambaréné. Dr Schweitzer and his wife as German citizens in a French colony (Gabon ) were considered enemy aliens . Unable to go down to the hospital, they were kept under house arrest as prisoners of war and were later taken to Europe to undergo some very harsh experiences. His mother had been killed ? run over by horses of soldiers at Gunsbach. Despite his cheerlessness, pain and high fever, he felt comforted to be with his father again. Hélène joined her husband at Gunsbach where she gave birth to their daughter Rhena on 14 January 1919.

When the war was over, Alsace, previously part of Germany now belonged to France ; so, Dr Schweitzer became a French citizen .Soon, he returned to Lambaréné to rebuild his hospital on another site with up-to ? date equipment and more doctors and nurses . All this was made possible thanks to the funds from his own royalties , personal appearance fees and donations from patrons around the world. Hélène and Rhena stayed behind in Europe. Hélène would return to Lambaréné only twice : first, during World War II (1939-1945) to help her husband when he was short of staff and second , after her death to be buried in the hospital grounds.

Dr Albert Schweitzer who passed away on 4 September 1965 was buried at Lambaréné alongside his wife. His daughter Rhena and his colleagues then carried on his work. Dr Albert Schweitzer?s crowded life was a mission , a message to a world torn by conflicts of all sorts and plagued by corruption, greed, hatred , prejudice, self- seeking interest, poverty, squalor and want. His selfless dedication and shining example of charity will be an echo for all eternity.

Kaviraj SOHUR