I feel overwhelmed and proud to pen down my thoughts on this historic feat.
We are celebrating the 75th year of Independence and a lot has changed ever since. I often wonder how people must have felt at the stroke of midnight on 15thAugust 1947 when they knew that they have a country to themselves and such huge responsibility towards it. It must have taken a long time for them for this feeling to sink in. They must have realised so very well that freedom cannot betaken for granted for even one lazy second anymore, that there is so much to doin so little time. On this day I was trying to comprehend and get into the minds of the Indian citizens then. Everyone had some story to tell but alas were just happy to be independent after a long reign of colonialism and suppression. It must have been so confusing for them as to want should be their next steps in this independent country. Many people must have found it difficult to sleep that fateful night and would be up thinking and making plans for the future in the independent country. They must have definitely kept away a souvenir safely somewhere in the attic to remember this very day for the rest of their lives and also to pass onto future generations. They must have had nightmares where they could have realised that independence was a dream only to wake up sweaty and scared. They must be planning to tell their kids and grandchildren about the valiant stories which they have witnessed. Tragedy can be used as a fuel to excel in life. It can act as a source of strength and motivation to achieve marvellous feat. India has grown in leaps and bounds since. Be it the green revolution or our space projects or advances in the field of medicine or improvement of our literacy rate from 11% to 77.7%. The examples are endless.
As a surgeon. I ponder whether things have changed as much in our field when compared with others such as business industry.Doctors were limited in number earlier but were considered close to God. People looked up to them not only for medical advice but also for emotional support and considered them as extended family. Nowadays, there is no doubt exponential growth in the expertise and treatment modalities, but I feel somehow the compassion is fading away and this Nobel profession is losing its humane touch. The patients are wary and doubtful about the advice given and would question their judgement and seek multiple opinions. There is nothing wrong in this when there are so many options available but what anguish me is the lack of empathy for this profession. This needs a paradigm shift and change. Life savers cannot be manhandled. No one wants to do any wrong to another human in this holy profession.
It’s just that Doctors treat and God heals!!
Let us all be responsible citizens and do everything in our armamentarium to take this Country to greater heights with whatever talents and gifts we possess.
Jai Hind!!