65+

life begins and ends in shoonya. we start as babies fully dependant on others to care for us as our body-mind are still continuing their development till about 5 years. 65+ man returns to where he started, as hindu dharma declares to be a child again. visited a much respected leader who lived as a king, made sure all who came in touch grew to their fullest potential, happiness smiles joy was his gifts to so many, my family including. i saw him now 86 years old, unrecognizable but for the sparkle in his eyes that lit a million lives hearth. sat with him, tried in vain to get a conversation going but all i got was a smile behind which there was sadness. long term memories are retained by brain, so when older topics came up, he lit up. now and the future are not his forte now...past is a time warp in which he is ensconced. his family tried in vain to care for the carer who gave many lives a reason to live and prosper. they cant fathom the deep emotions that must be running in his mind, when eating sleeping or just sitting is a huge task. love is all one asks, few are fortunate to get it..many dont and silently leave with nobody watching. money wealth fame gold food drink entertainment power sex...all that which roared in youth like a hurricane is now a distant memory. mind sails a much calmer sea...eating to live, sleeping to heal and sail, till the day comes to adieu.

as i work in ElderCare for 16 years now, thanks to GE Volunteers who made me medical officer for LSP-little sisters of the poor [ https://www.littlesistersofthepoorindia.org/bangalore-st-joseph ] hosur road, Bangalore in 2005, every interaction is humbling. one learns to see life with respect love compassion as nothing lasts forever. this too shall pass...

ElderCare & Mentoring

I went back to the old age home [ https://www.littlesistersofthepoorindia.org/bangalore-st-joseph ] where I run a charity clinic after a break of 18 months. how much one can do as a doctor if money is not part of the equation was/and is always evident there. every time I visit this home, I learn something new! saw a new patient whose daughter is a VP with a MNC...no not all residents are abandoned :) after seeing a few a patients, doing one ecg and accepting a simple soup (again simple but delcious) left with pride in my heart. oh, yaah I donated my 6 year old PC to the home to be used as EMR holder in the Medical Centre. Joy of Giving week mission accomplished. mentored a yound medic, who is where I was 19 years ago. Freshly minted coin with big dreams in the eyes and youth on ones side to move mountains but the world can be a harsh place to freshers. It is like being born again after 10 months of comfort in our mother's womb, thrust out into the cold, loud, strange world. Add to it the aura of being called a Dr and the expectations from all quarters to be successful and famous. It is tough...my prescription: do what you will enjoy doing everyday of your life, dont do things to satisfy anyone but you. Heard an inspiring speech from a Medic who decided to go and live amongst mountain people in Ooty and gets satisfaction in being the change in their lives. 

Was and will always be a big fan of Mother Teresa, who saw Jesus in all the filth and dirt of Calcutta...that is true worship and no wonder she is a saint.