By: Alena Wiese
The field of dentistry lost one of its brightest stars, Dr. Manu Dua, to the very illness he was destined to treat – Oral Cancer. Yet, his legacy lives beyond his physical existence through his captivating and inspiring book “Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide.” This emblematic book of courage and resilience, primarily penned by the late Dr. Dua during his daunting battle against metastatic cancer, emerged as the Distinguished Winner of NYC Big Book Awards and the Best Motivational/Inspirational Book at CIPA EVVY.
Offering potent wisdom and genuine humanity, Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide serves as an ode to life, intricately depicting the agony of loss, the pain of grief, and the bitter fight against cancer. However, it also shines a light on hope, bravery, and the power of embracing mortality. An excerpt from the book reads, “…Our lives will come and go, but our ideas will remain immortal. Therefore, in essence, the soul behind our work remains eternal…” Dr. Manu’s thoughts are saturated with an unyielding spirit and an eternal optimism that intrigue the readers and enable them to perceive life from a unique vantage point.
Dr. Dua was an exceptional dentist who faced his terminal illness with courage that was unparalleled. In less than a year, he triumphed over numerous cancer surgeries, coped with chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and relearned fundamental skills like eating and speaking. Amidst these personal tribulations, he managed his flourishing dental practice with an unyielding spirit, selling it only much later.
Dr. Parul Dua Makkar, Dr. Manu Dua’s sister and a noted dentist herself, made this poignant account possible by editing and publishing her late brother’s manuscript. Her enriching contribution to the book added depth to Dr. Dua’s narrative, further enriching his voice and message. Dr. Makkar also stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, drawing from her brother’s strength to continue spreading awareness about Oral Cancer.
Both siblings shared an insatiable thirst for expanding the horizon of dental care and embarked on a relentless pursuit to make a difference. They believed in creating an impact that would outlive them, echoing in the words of Dr. Manu – to fearlessly embrace the challenge of creating something immortal. They advised to let go of fears that don’t serve one in this life or the next, and live with the strength that makes immortality not just a possibility, but indeed a tangible reality.
The platform www.parulduamakkar.com further propagates these vital thoughts. It serves as a platform where Dr. Makkar initiates important discussions about Oral Cancer and uses her profound insights to educate the masses. interestingly, they can connect with her on Instagram via @duagoodjob or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/dr-parul-dua-makkar-bsc-dds-facd-375324145/. Readers can also indulge in Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide directly through www.parulduamakkar.com/book.
Despite the formidable challenge that death exemplifies, the power of words and ideas propels human legacy beyond the limitations of mortality – a belief that the Duas strongly upheld. The story of Dr. Manu Dua and his surviving sister Dr. Parul Dua Makkar is an exquisite illustration of this belief. Their tale of resilience, hope, and everlasting impact encapsulates the essence of living a meaningful life against all odds. Through their combined efforts, they turned life’s interruptions into a guide that paves the way for countless others. They have taught us to seek life beyond loss, to understand that it’s not the strength of the body that matters, but the strength of the spirit.
To live a life that transcends physical existence is not an esoteric concept but an achievable reality, as beautifully demonstrated by the siblings. As readers delve into the pages of ‘Life Interrupted,’ they engage with the idea of mortality, appreciate the power of resilience, and imbibe the spirit of everlasting impact – a journey every individual ought to embark on, a journey through life – against odds with Dr. Manu Dua. Life, indeed, could be interrupted, but the legacy lives on.
