Damini and our mindset...

Yesterday one of my junior sent me a message on Facebook expressing her agony  describing some of her personal experiences along with a serious question,

"Dada, can't we do something so that we can feel somewhat more secure? What if I'm the next Damini?"

I've not been able to reply her till now.. What should I say? Can I assure her for sure that she would never face such a situation? She has sent me the message in good faith, but actually alone I'm nobody.. All across India, the situation is the same.. Girls can never feel secured.. and the reason? the perverted males and our mindset as a whole..

You see, most of you most probably remember the incident here in Guwahati in July 2012, which shook the whole world.. One teenage girl was molested publicly on the busy G.S.Road at around 9.30 pm and almost everyone present on the scene were just silent spectators..  Now once again even less than 6 months of that said incident, a 23 years old girl was brutally raped and murdered in the most barbaric way, and that too again in India.. Until and unless there are some stringent laws against these offences, these will just continue.. The ideal one what I would advocate here is nothing but the capital punishment. It seems cruel, but right at this moment I feel the punishment offered in Saudi Arabia and some other countries are appropriate for such kind of crimes!! I won't say that just enforcing some tough punishments will bring the total numbers of these crimes to zero, but in our society, where the number of perverts exceeds far far more than that of good people, it can be hoped that the fear for losing one's life as punishment will reduce these crimes to a significant level.

We all agree that respect can't be taken, its acquired or gained.. But if you don't get the 'deserved' respect, then be sure that you are amongst some people who are illiterate enough to pay respect or they are ignorant of your value.. Ignorance can be overcome by awareness and proper counselling. but how to deal with the mindset which are just not willing to pay you the due respect? It calls for a change.. The change in the brought up, the change in the teaching and overall the change in the mindset of our people.. In our Indian culture, we pray so many goddesses, yet the crime against females are yet too high here.. pathetic!!! We all feel sympathy for any rape victim, but very few will be willing to include that survivor as a new family member. There are some families where the kids from the very beginning witness the females to be dominated, tortured and used, and their thinking develops accordingly... Most of our women are also used to be being used or tortured and yet still instead of teaching their sons to respect women, most of them expect their daughters to follow their footsteps without fail.. After all "PATI PARAMESHWAR"!!! Thats our mindset!!!

Go through national newspapers..Quite often it is seen that after a girl child is raped, she is expelled from her school because other children don't feel comfortable to study with her.. Question yourself.. does other children really have that feeling of discomfort? actually not.. these feeling have been infused by their parents.. but these same parents expect other parents to have sympathy in case their own innocent child suffers the same. Thats our mindset!!!

Everybody is against rape, but whenever someone comes forward to marry a known rape survivor, it becomes the talk of the town.. the boy becomes a 'Mahapurush', even though he wanted to be a normal guy expecting a normal marriage... and the girl once again becomes the thing to feel pity for. Thats our mentality!!!

That means the survivor gets lifetime mental torture free of cost for the crime she didn't commit.. and the real culprit just escape unnoticed in most of the cases.. and even if the real culprit gets arrested, there are so many loopholes in our judiciary system that because of money and manpower, by using some well known advocates, some of them yet get least possible punishment..

About stringent punishment against these offences, we can raise our voices and make the government aware of our demands.. They are the law makers and they are expected to act on behalf of the public!! But above all the most important thing that we can do is to change our mindset..

When your innerwear becomes visible after someone forcefully tears your decent dress, most of us will eventually forget about the causal incident, but obviously raise questions regarding your motive or dress sense!! and some would even try to take a chance to touch and feel those exposed parts!! Thats our mindset!!

So wake up guys and grow up!!! Try to change the law and most importantly change our mindset!!!

Never killed any human being..

That day I had seen the trailer of an interview of a "top class(!!)" terrorist leader (under peace talk) at a private news channel..

In reply to a query, he said,

"I've never killed any human being till date."

Try your extreme justification to prove that you are great!!

All I have to say, may be not directly, but your 'direction' has wiped away so many innocent lives.. and you can never get rid of those sins... By one way or the other, you'll definitely have to pay!!!

Plainly Emotional act

Today one boy of around 20 years came to my cabin to have one unit of blood for his brother. As they didn't have any donor at that moment, I wrote my direction to issue one unit of blood on loan basis... then, all of a sudden he touched my feet saying, "Thank you sir!!"

Whatever may be the reason, I never expect anybody to touch my feet... I don't deserve this.. I am not going to say that it was a great feeling when he touched my feet unexpectedly... Precisely, to be true, I didn't feel great.. Instead I felt the pain he is going through.. I felt his  emotional attachment with his brother.. I felt the mental trauma his family is suffering.. By this innocent act, he made me feel everything..!!!

Love your wife? Build a Tajmahal. !!

Today I met a guy who came to Blood Bank to have 2 units of blood for his wife. His wife is G9 P6+2. For those, who couldn't understand, simply, his wife is pregnant for the 9th time, they have 6 children and the wife already had 2 abortions. This was their 1st visit to any doctor, that too after attempted incomplete criminal abortion. That means some untrained dai or somebody had already unsuccessfully tried to abort the present pregnancy.

His justification was, "My parents don't like my wife to visit doctors!!"

I didn't talk much as he was under mental stress.. but, thats the scenario.. Even after so much emphasis on family planning, some people just deliberately remain out of reach of health care  facility.. Leave aside lack of awareness..

Wife is not a birth machine... No point of building Tajmahal after your wife dies to show that you care. Try to make her happy when she is alive!!!

She is like my wife!!

That day one guy introduced me to his wife with quite a shy smile saying,

"Mur wife'ei hoi aru!!!" {"She is like my wife!!!"}
And for me, he was not the first guy...

Even after parenting 2/3 children, some people are too shy to introduce their better halves!!!

Its also an way to express one's love I suppose !!! :-):-):-)

What if..

Today my little niece asked me seriously, (she calls me 'doctor dada', even though I am her uncle!)

"Doctor dada, what if some serious patients come on your marriage day?"

I replied humorously, "Then I'll have my marriage at the emergency department!! :-):-)"

Once again she asked me with a serious note, "What if some patients need you at that very moment when you are taking vows of marriage?" (She referred to Jagya/Saat phera!)

I didn't know what to answer.. I just smiled, caressed her hair and kissed her both cheeks..

It was her childish question, but this question forced me to rethink.. If someone falls ill in front of us even at some most important moments of our life, we can't just ignore, but try our level best...

Thats our profession.. and yet still I can't stop loving it..

Momentary relationship...

That day I was riding my bike and incidentally I forgot to lift the side stand.. As a physician, I've witnessed a no. of accidents happening just because of this.. Another one person, who was also riding a bike did bring this to my notice by using sign language and I promptly acted accordingly..

He might be a jolly person.. Coz.. As he was crossing, he looked towards me and waived me the 'thumbs up' sign.. His action brought me a smile of gratitude.. Both of us were wearing full mask helmets and I know we would never know each other, but this unknown relationship lasting for a moment brought some amount of pleasure to my world..

Yeah.. We all know that life is too tough.. But its also true that like this one, some momentarily happy daily incidents keep our life easy going!!!

What an idea Sir ji..

Yesterday one grandma from my neighbourhood asked me how to remove the sim card from her cell phone..

Her 4 year old grandson, who was present at that moment, took the cell from her and said,

"Don't you know? Its very easy.. Even I can do it!!"

Even before we could think about anything, he threw the mobile perpendicular to the floor, and then.. BANG..

The battery, handset, sim card and the back cover all came in 4 pieces..

What an idea sir ji... :-):-)

Can't we do something for these kids?

Today I spent some time in an orphanage with my fiancee. We had a great time with the kids there. At the time of our departure, they thanked us and waved bye bye reminding us to visit again..

Some of these kids are abandoned by their parents. Some are victims of circumstances.. It was my 3rd visit to this orphanage, even I know most of them by name.. and the eternal happiness that I gain amongst those kids can't be expressed in words.. They were aware of our visit and as soon as we reached, they joyfully shouted amongst themselves, "Sir and Baidew has reached.." So precious feeling!!! Even these kids understand that we care for them.. I don't know how to express my feelings.. But they are so cute and adorable that I wished I could adopt one then and there... Even I mentioned it to my fiancee and it appeared like she also wished the same.. But there are some legal obligations and we'll have to see what we can do later..

What I want to say is that... We are always surrounded by friends and family.. But these little kids have nobody around.. And its not because of their fault.. They are just too innocent..

Kids are just kids.. They need proper attention, care, guidance and affection.. But these kids lack all these.. Can we spare some moments for them? I am not aware of the proceedings, but can't we spend a little amount of our income for their benefit?

I am not talking about everybody here.. I know, some of us are having trouble running own family.. But those who can spare or spend, they can surely think about it.. I've already made up my mind.. We all know it well.. Living for oneself is actually not the living...!!!

Lots more than medications

When my papa, a newly diagnosed diabetic patient on regular medications, asked me today at a hotel,

"Seni dia saah ekap khau diana.." ("Allow me to have a cup of tea with sugar please..")

All I could say was.. "yeah sure..."

I personally strongly believe..Sometimes tiny moments of happiness means a lot more than medications..!!!!

It costs me Rs. 200/- Sir..

That day I was talking to one of my staffs at our department on the way to attend a camp. He hails from an interior area in Assam. He is having his wife and parents at his  homeplace. Both parents are ill. He is the single earning member of the family and he can't afford their stay at Guwahati. Once in a week he goes home for one day, arranges their weekly requirements and returns back to work.

"It costs me Rs. 200/- per trip to my native place sir... With this income I can't afford more visit to my family..."

In no way I could be of any help for him, nor he did expect anything, but the way he  expressed his agony in earning money in a honest way, it just touched my heart...

For him Rs. 200/- is a big issue.. For someone even 1 single rupee matters a lot.. And for somebody buying a brand new car is less than a day's income..

This is life.. Everybody has his/her own story.. And yet we've to carry on !!!

LOVE THY PARENTS

That day my mother came to GMCH for some skin related problems.. She is a known Diabetic for 7 years and on regular medications. Her health is ok, but I was sad to notice that she has lost a few kilos in last few months..

I daily interact with so many patients for their well being, but I have little time for my own parents!! As we all are staying at different places, even after being the parents of 3 grown up "kids", my parents are bound to seek help of  some others for daily requirements..  And its just the tip of the iceberg!!

In today's highly competitive scenario, its the story of most  of  us, most of the parents.. Leaving aside very few, how many of you can say that you'll be able to live with your parents whole life? Take the example of my immediate neighbour.. Both sons are working outside along with their spouses leaving the parents alone... Even if we want to be, its not possible always to live with the family.. Think practically and you'll see... A family can't be run only on emotions, it will need money.. Not everyone is lucky enough to have their suitable workplace nearer home..

Like most of you, my parents are also never demanding, but the fact that I am not being able to devote some quality time for my parents, hurts me a lot...

Since my childhood I've  witnessed... Without hampering their job responsibility, our parents entirely devoted themselves in the effort to secure our future.. They did never have a "own" life... And they are still continuing their effort to make us happy.. Most of you have most probably experienced the same..

Love thy parents.. In this era of technology, no place is far enough to care about your dear ones.. But do how many of us really care to have and spread that good will??

Yeah... We all know... we are so busy building our carrier... But isn't it true that we often forget... That our parents are also growing older and they too quite often need our support!!

Aim in life: Let the kids understand themselves first...

That day I was invited by one of my teachers (GMCH) for dinner. His baby girl is only 5yrs old and studies in L KG. I regained my childhood for some moments and asked her what she would like to become once she grows up. The answer came from her father,

"She will become an IAS Officer.. She doesn't prefer to be a doctor."

Her instant reply was, "No, I'll become a doctor..."

The question is.. Does she know what an IAS officer is? Is she old enough to judge? Or is it such that her father will just pressurize her to be the one what he thinks to be better?

I can clearly remember, when I was a little kid, being a doctor was never my aim in life. I dreamt to be the Ice cream wala... Gradually it changed according to my stages of life and my age. Till 10th standard, my aim was to do well in my exams and to hold a top 20 rank in the board final exam. Its during my H.S. 1st and 2nd years that I realized my dream, had proper guidance of my teachers and parents and wanted to become a doctor, and now here I am in front of you. Yet I had taken admission in engineering course before the MBBS entrance results were out. Provided somehow I failed to do well in that said entrance, I would have become an engineer now in place of a doctor.

Even during my MBBS course, Ophthalmology was never my subject of choice. But it was my destiny and now I'm quite happy to be an Ophthalmologist...

You see.. Like my own case, most of you will most probably agree that this aim in life goes in a step ladder pattern.. Its never fixed. There are also some turning points and after crossing those its actually good if you don't  look back, but try to focus on the same.. Yet again its never too late, and actually better if you can judge yourself properly and take another path even after that.

So what's the point to fix this aim at such an early age putting so much stress? Let the kids understand themselves first, provide proper guidance and then.. they'll just excell...

If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else. As quoted by someone, me too personally believe... My goal in life is to survive. Everything else is just a bonus...

Presentable till marriage..

That day I was talking to one of my friend.. Casually he told me,

"Partha, your health is somewhat better than before.. I mean after you shifted from hostel to rented flat.."

I was delighted you know.. All thanks to "Hotel Khana".. Next he said,

"Your tummy is somewhat coming out!!!"

Ok.. I didn't have any problem..
But what he added next was,

"Your marriage is approaching I suppose ... So... Stay PRESENTABLE till then atleast ... Ha ha"

Its then... that he stressed upon the word "presentable"... I was in real tension... :-):-)

All it costs is a little love...

Today is 14th November, Children's day and like always most of us will complete our responsibility by just wishing the same. I forgot to mention... some of us will organize some creative activity for the children. Yeah, these are very much essential for the mental development of the youngsters.

But today I'm going to mention about some needy kids... Come across Pediatrics and Haematology ward in any hospital and  you'll meet lots of cute innocent kids who need blood transfusion every month for their survival. Authorities have  made the arrangements which can be done on their part. If we, the eligible donors aged 18 to 60 years of age, come forward to donate blood voluntarily then the burden will be much relieved for these kids and parents.

We all know life is not easy for them, but we all can make these lives easier... Somebody rightfully said.. The only gift is a portion of thyself and all that it costs is a little love...

Moments of happiness

That day one of my junior told me, "Partha da, you seem to be happy always."

I just smiled, didn't reply... But my heart said, "You are right. I seem to be, not actually, but try to be happy always.."

Like everyone I have my own problems..I think, I can fill up half of Facebook writing my agonies, sorrows, problems etc etc...

But somebody said, "Moments of happiness are the tiny episodes in the whole drama of life..." and personally I strongly believe that...

with my younger brother Dr. Kumar Pinku Pratim...

My papa with my nephew.... :-):-)

""God has created her so beautifully.....""

Few days back I went to a ward for some work. A junior intern was there. She was wearing an apron in which the GMCH logo was so beautifully imprinted.. We both were talking in Assamese.
Then casually I asked one of my non-assamese friend (actually referring to the logo) who was busy working on some paperwork beside me, "Its so beautiful, am I right?"

His reply was, "Yes Partha, God has created her so beautifully...."

And the shy facial expression and colour change of my junior was just wordless... :-)

"Thank you sir..."

Few days back I met a cute child. She is 9 years old, a student of class-IV and she is a Thalassemia patient who needs blood transfusion every month... As soon as I handed over the blood requisition form to her mother instructing my staff to issue one unit of blood, she thanked me with a quite adorable smile which was full of gratitude.. My heart stopped for a moment.. You know.. I have been thanked by many for countless times till now, but this "Thank you sir" , by a child for issuing blood for her survival was... just too precious...

2nd chance....

Its that sometimes our parents remain silent on our misdeeds doesn't necessarily mean that they are ignorant... It means... they are giving us another chance...

Its applicable in any relationship actually...

"Now you repent I suppose Sir..."

Today I met a boy.. He is 22 and already a father to a baby of 1 day..

His justification was, "You know sir... Love marriage..."

I jokingly told him, "Provided I got married at your age and everything went fine like you, right now I would have been a father of a child studying at class 2 !!"

His reply was, "Now you repent I suppose Sir..."

I couldn't reply back... I just laughed my lungs out... :-):-)

Aren't they all too cute?

An evening with my nephew and nieces Kaushik, Isha and Hiya... at
Morigaon on 28th October, 2012.

Just priceless....

Eagerly wanna share this.... yesterday evening I went home, and again
returned today morning to attend my duties. Papa came to drop me at
the bus stand.As I was about to get off his car, he gave me Rs. 200/-
saying "eitu rakhasun Bacha..."["keep it Bacha..."].... Being 30+,
having my own income, yet getting "pocket money" from the parents....
the feeling was just too good... priceless...

GMCH and attitude of medical representatives

I have to update this publicly...
what happened in Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) on 19th October, 2012 is just ridiculous. One senior doctor was threatened by medical Representatives (MRs), that too because the doctor was acting in the interest of the patients. What was Prof. Deba Kumar Goswami doing? He asked the Medical Representatives to leave OPD in the interest of the better patient service. And they in return tried to physically abuse him. Should anybody tolerate this? Its a fact that some of the medical representatives often visit the doctors during the OPD hours bringing inconvenience to the patients by increasing their waiting time and sometimes even breaching patient privacy. I think any patient or attendant coming to GMCH or any other govt medical colleges or institutions can relate to this. Keeping in view of this fact in particular, the GMCH authority circulated one notification long back to prevent entry of the Medical Representatives in the OPDs before 2pm. They were free to visit the doctors in the wards or in their respective rooms after 1pm. It was indeed a welcoming decision taken in the interest of the patients and the public. When Dr. Goswami was trying to follow these ethics, he got threatening of physical harm. If somehow he would have been alone in the parking lot after his duty hours, only god knows what would have been his fate. Even the strongest man's physical strength becomes useless in front of a gang of 40-50. Even if they had some issue with him, then also is it justifiable to try to attack him physically? There are always some proper official or legal ways. When somebody places social obligations ahead of personal benefits, I suppose, he should always be encouraged. I personally think there should be more public awareness regarding this. Or else some anti social elements will raise to a level which will once become unbearable even for the whole public.

Melancholy... My Photogaphy...

Madhurjya Barukial's death: Can role of ragging be ruled out?

          Now that the death of Madhurjya Barukial, a student of Assam Engineering College, has come to light, there should be proper inquiry or else, the facts will always be under cover. How could it be possible that a boy who didn't know how to swim will go to a pond deep enough just to have a bath? Where were those friends at that moment who played football together? Is this a case of accidental death or homicide? There arise so many questions.

            What is happening in Assam Engineering College (AEC) is pathetic. I was there in AEC at Hostel No-1 in 1999 for about 4 months before joining MBBS course. Short introduction and somewhat funny is acceptable, but I witnessed those inhumane behaviour of some of the seniors in the name of ragging. The response of the college authority was also totally disappointing. After about 1 month of my admission to Engineering course, for one night I stayed with my father at the AEC guest house because of my high grade fever. Same night someone from the 3rd semester complained to the Principal regarding ongoing ragging in the hostel premises. It was good that the Principal went to the hostel during that night itself and caught some of the seniors red handed. But in the next morning all those "famous" seniors pointed their heavy fingers at me for the "conspiracy" about which I was totally unaware of. They even threatened me, saying that I would face the consequences as soon as my father leaves Guwahati and a special treatment was awaiting me that night. My father instantly took the decision to shift me and arranged for paying guest facility for my stay and I bid good bye to the hostel life at AEC. I didn't complain anything as it was just a threatening, but the college authority didn't take any action against those seniors whom they caught red handed. The authority handled the situation in a very diplomatic way. Only god knows what would have been my fate in case I stayed there that night. Hope I could have taken some drastic steps against those seniors at that time itself.

            12 long years passed since the incident that I have mentioned. But the question is, has the situation changed? Only few months back I examined one student from AEC with superficial corneal opacity (result of ragging). Should it be somewhat more severe or in case there was infection, the student might lose sight of that eye. The student did not want to complain, so I had to record in my note as “accidental injury”.

            Tough laws have been passed against ragging, but our attitude have not changed. We just think that these just happens. In my time I didn't complain, and now also only very few of the newcomers come forward against those until and unless something drastic happens. Some of the institutions also try to hide the facts. If it goes on like this, more lives will be ruined and we will have to just wait and watch for a miracle to happen. 

Kokadeuta aru Natilora on 26th April, 2012

"Kokadeuta" (my father Mr. Pratap Kumar Hazarika) aru "Natilora" (my nephew Diptakhya) on 26th April, 2012 at Ugratara Mandir, Guwahati. 
Picture taken by Dr. Kumar Pinku Pratim.
Uploaded by Dr. Kumar Partha Pratim.

Paper cuttings and News regarding Baby Room Disaster at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (News published on 23rd April,2012)

Regards, Dr. Kumar Partha Pratim

BABYROOM DISASTER:

I've to update this... I suppose most of you know what happened in NICU (Neonatal ICU) at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital. Accidents do happen. The main aim should be focussed on management. Investigations are going on, but I'm here now to look into another aspect of the incident.

A total of 65 newborn babies were inside NICU at the time of the fire. We all (PGs, PRCAs, teachers, college authority and other staffs) reached there just after the incident. No doubt, we'd done our level best to save the babies and our efforts were successful. But its only because of the brave, timely, instantaneous and appropriate intervention of on duty doctors and staffs of NICU and some other 108 staffs, that all the babies could be shifted to a safe place immediately, where their treatment could be continued without any interruption. If they somehow failed to act that much prompt, all our efforts would have gone in vain resulting in loss of a nos. of newborn lives creating a tragic episode in GMCH history .

I was also delighted to see the responsible role played by the attendants in shifting the babies. At that moment it was seen that everybody realised the gravity of the situation and worked together without creating any chaos.

Hats off to them all. United we stand and.... together we can manage any situation.


__
Regards,
Dr. Kumar Partha Pratim,
President,
Junior Doctors' Association, 2011-2012,
GMCH.
Mobile. +91-9854286788.

Me in Kolkota... On 15th January, 2012

Me in Kolkota... On 15th January, 2012.
 - uploaded by Dr. Kumar Partha Pratim.

At last.... Finally the discrimination is over... Hurrah...

News regarding Compulsory Rural Posting for All Medical Graduates from Assam as an eligibility criteria for Assam Post Graduate Medical Entrance Examination (for 50% Assam State Quota), published in "The Telegraph" today, the 21st of January, 2012.
- Taken at 10:30 AM on January 21, 2012 - uploaded by Dr. Kumar Partha Pratim.

Assam Medical Colleges Rule_Published on 11th January, 2012

According to new rules (Assam Medical Colleges Rules, Amend 11th January, 2012), from 2013 onwards everybody (anybody completing MBBS from Assam in State or PMT category) willing to take a Post Graduate Medical Seat under Assam State Quota will have to complete compulsory rural posting of 1 year on or before 31st May of the same academic year. At last the discrimination in admission to post graduate medical entrance exam is over. Thanks to everyone thinking positively for the students from Assam.
- uploaded by Dr. Kumar Partha Pratim.

All the Best wishes to all AIPGMEE-2012 examinees for exam tomorrow........ Application forms for Assam Post Graduate Medical Entrance Examination will be issued from 9th January, 2012 to 18th January, 2012. Nothing has been mentioned regarding eligibility of those completing rural posting by 31st May,2012. Controller sir has verbally informed us that there might be some notification by Monday.... Lets see... We'll contact Dr. Manoj Choudhury Sir, Registrar, SSUHS regarding this for further information... Last date of submission of Application form is 19th January, 2012 (upto 4.15pm). Entrance exam to be held on 29th January, 2012 in GUWAHATI.

All the Best wishes to all AIPGMEE-2012 examinees for exam tomorrow........

Application forms for Assam Post Graduate Medical Entrance Examination will be issued from 9th January, 2012 to 18th January, 2012. 

Nothing has been mentioned regarding eligibility of those completing rural posting by 31st May,2012. Controller sir has verbally informed us that there might be some notification by Monday.... Lets see... We'll contact Dr. Manoj Choudhury Sir, Registrar, SSUHS regarding this for further information... 

Last date of submission of Application form is 19th January, 2012 (upto 4.15pm). 

Entrance exam to be held on 29th January, 2012 in GUWAHATI.
- Taken at 3:54 PM on January 07, 2012 - uploaded by ShoZu