West Bengal and work culture

One thing I have realised during my tenure as an intern in a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata is the pathetic work culture prevalent in the city. And yes I call it "pathetic". I have seen people who have worked hard all day long being held in disregard for that little one hour they gave amiss, and I have seen people missing duties for days enjoying the respect of seniors.

Yet what struck me most was how people who stayed  pretty close to the hospital, or even within the campus,would make sure they missed duties- even if they were for half an hour- just because they knew they wouldn't be said anything. Some would miss duties even when something was said ! As long as action is not taken...

Yet there are departments which make sure interns stayed back for no purpose at all. Just because it was feasible for them to have someone at their command. And I have seen people spending hours here because the departments were strict.

Oh Bengal ! When shall thou understand the value and importance of hard work and time.

THE AIIMS DREAM

Okay so I hadn't ever posted about it considering my own strangest fears that it shall never come true. And I hadn't ever talked about it before. But this has been a dream that I have cherished for way too long - to study at AIIMS. I don't know where it stands when it comes to the world, but it is the best medical institution in India and I wanna be a part of it once. I know it is easier said than done and getting into AIIMS is not eating cake. And with all the time that I waste, I won't even get closer to achieve it. So I have decided on wasting lesser time on useless activities and pending more on productive ones. Studying 24 * 7 makes me dull and that is not my way but studying more than I do and even with it, living life to the fullest in every little way is what I plan...

So now I am gonna get me a good book and read it...play more games and spend more time sketching and ebjoying myself. At the same time, I am gonna spend more time studying and less time in front of the idiot box. So that some day when I see myself at AIIMS, I have more than something to cherish about.

SKETCHES 2

Some more sketches that I have drawn . . .

SKETCHES

So I have taken up drawing... I am still a learner though but it makes a worthwhile hobby. Studying Harrison and Bailey all the time isn't good for health nor is blogging too much. And the enchantment of having finished a good sketch is like Mr.YouKnowWho getting his hands on Harry Potter... So here are some of them :

Medical Student life- why is it hectic !

Now what happened a few months back compels me to post this one. The head of our dermatology department, who happens to be a man of wonderful charisma and energy, while teaching us the aspects of vitiligo came up with some nice stories about life and philosophy. I guess, he would have been a philosopher had he not chosen the wrong field. But then, philosophy is something all doctors master (especially those "heads of departments")! While reminiscing about his past events in life he explained to us why we should be cautious in our dealings with patients-"cos doctors are no longer Gods!" He explained to us that times have actually changed and it is better we adapt to the changed needs and demands of people. We needn't go after trying to save every life because saving trouble ourselves was equally important. Though many would disagree, I guess all would do the same if they are at a doctor's place.

But That's not the point of the post. i would someday post about self-righteousness and selfishness for doctors. This post relates to what he told us about doctors. This line rings in my ears way too often- "doctors are unsocial beings...if not anti-social."

Now that was a bomb ! How wonderfully he had summarised all the trouble we go through during our life right from the moment we enter our profession, right from long hours of physical work, dealing with the expectations of seniors, listening to the shouts of hassling doctors for not doing something the way they want it to be(even if it is right) to dealing with our own mental depression and anguish, often for not doing well,or having messed up a thing; at other times, for the sake of crying patient relatives. We spend long hours trying to memorise those dull, pages of Harrison and then we spent years perfecting our skills. Yet, it stands that not a single doctor can be claim to know all about his field of precision. That is medicine !

And then, when my friends ask, why do doctors charge so much, I wonder how many Dr. Ambani or Dr. Mallya have we heard of ! And a life without friends or relatives with little time to spare for parents is not what everyone has experienced !

Where will the reservations lead us?

Where will the reservations lead us???


This question has often come to my contemplative mind. It has hassled me every time I experience some thing that has so much to do with it. I don't really know if the Government policy of reserving more and more seats for the "weaker sections of the society" is a boon or a curse. But quite candidly I don't like it.

Recently we had a viva exam. We were seated in a group of five and our microbiology teacher was the examiner. When one of my colleagues from the weaker section was asked about the commonest mode of HIV transmission, the reply that came left the examiner flabbergasted. The answer was - "venereal pus" . Now what in the hell does that mean ! Our examiner was pretty happy instructing the guy to go out and call Bulladi for some information about the same, much to the muse of the entire class.

To many, it might have been just an amusing incident but to me, and when I recall it every time I see that guy's frivolity, I wonder where we are headed to. Are we going to get such doctors in our future who don't know what dirty kids playing in the streets could teach us ! I hope not. The future of health in our nation looks bleak.

Save our tigers

Our national animal is fighting for its life.

From around 40,000 at the turn of the last century, there are just 1411 tigers left in India.

If we don’t act now, we could lose this part of our heritage forever.

Speak up, blog, share the concern, stay informed… Every little bit helps.

please visit http://saveourtigers.com/ and join the roar. It is for us to make sure that the king of the jungle  is protected.

Other pages:

http://www.wwfindia.org/

http://saveourtigers.com/blog/

http://www.wwfindia.org/?4020/campaign-for-Indias-wild-tigers