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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
Giving
Giving
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
I would have recognized that rich and deep voice any time-any where, though it must have been over a decade since I had last talked with that teacher of mine – a blue-blooded GSite - now in private practice.
I would have recognized that rich and deep voice any time-any where, though it must have been over a decade since I had last talked with that teacher of mine – a blue-blooded GSite - now in private practice.
“Ravi”, he started “I have a lady with me; she is the daughter of a patient of mine - who recently passed away -and she has expressed a desire to donate some money to medical charity. “I thought”, he carried on “the PBCF at KEM would be a good idea.”
“Ravi”, he started “I have a lady with me; she is the daughter of a patient of mine - who recently passed away -and she has expressed a desire to donate some money to medical charity. “I thought”, he carried on “the PBCF at KEM would be a good idea.”
“Yes sir, of course!” was my immediate response.
“Yes sir, of course!” was my immediate response.
“In that case, can I send her to you - so you can guide her how to go about this?” he asked.
“In that case, can I send her to you - so you can guide her how to go about this?” he asked.
We agreed on a mutually agreeable time and there the conversation ended.
We agreed on a mutually agreeable time and there the conversation ended.
I am always game for taking for our institution. Though, if you have ever tried to donate some money to PBCF, you will realise that it is not easy. Once such time, they wanted to know why a particular sum of money was being donated. After much argument, exasperated, I wrote the reason : “… I wish to donate because ….I have too much money” The clerk read the note several times over with no change of expression whatsoever and very officially and with great flair pulled out a pen, underlined that phrase with red ink and readily accepted the cheque!!
I am always game for taking for our institution. Though, if you have ever tried to donate some money to PBCF, you will realise that it is not easy. Once such time, they wanted to know why a particular sum of money was being donated. After much argument, exasperated, I wrote the reason : “… I wish to donate because ….I have too much money” The clerk read the note several times over with no change of expression whatsoever and very officially and with great flair pulled out a pen, underlined that phrase with red ink and readily accepted the cheque!!
Hardships aside, money is always desperately needed in KEM - what with the BMC interested in starting more teaching hospitals rather than take care of the existing starving ones. And, after 20 years of handling Deans and bureaucracy, I am always game for minor skirmishes with the powers that be. I know all their lines and my answers are always ready!!
Hardships aside, money is always desperately needed in KEM - what with the BMC interested in starting more teaching hospitals rather than take care of the existing starving ones. And, after 20 years of handling Deans and bureaucracy, I am always game for minor skirmishes with the powers that be. I know all their lines and my answers are always ready!!
A couple of hours later, the donor walks into the department at the pre-appointed time. I do not know how often it happens to you, but, there are times when you meet some one for the first time and, even the first few spoken words leave a deep impression on you. A lady in her mid fifties, our donor was one of the most pleasant and charming persons I have had the fortune of meeting.
A couple of hours later, the donor walks into the department at the pre-appointed time. I do not know how often it happens to you, but, there are times when you meet some one for the first time and, even the first few spoken words leave a deep impression on you. A lady in her mid fifties, our donor was one of the most pleasant and charming persons I have had the fortune of meeting.
She had this genuine and sincere smile that reflected a pure heart and a lot feeling for life. Preliminaries over, we discussed how best the money could be donated and where it would be most useful. Like most genuine givers, she left all the decisions to me saying “We just want to give”.
She had this genuine and sincere smile that reflected a pure heart and a lot feeling for life. Preliminaries over, we discussed how best the money could be donated and where it would be most useful. Like most genuine givers, she left all the decisions to me saying “We just want to give”.
Over the next days, we exchanged several emails concerning the donation. I then learnt that she was motivating her friends and family to give and eventually all this will go into the PBCF. One thing lead to another and, she even ended giving a substantial amount money for the alumni fund that we were collecting for my school!!
Over the next days, we exchanged several emails concerning the donation. I then learnt that she was motivating her friends and family to give and eventually all this will go into the PBCF. One thing lead to another and, she even ended giving a substantial amount money for the alumni fund that we were collecting for my school!!
First, a GSite , no longer in KEM, thinks of giving to his Alma Mater rather than to some other charity, and here is a lady, who has had nothing to do with KEM showing such great enthusiasm for the “task” on hand.
First, a GSite , no longer in KEM, thinks of giving to his Alma Mater rather than to some other charity, and here is a lady, who has had nothing to do with KEM showing such great enthusiasm for the “task” on hand.
We move on from a 55-year-old lady to a bunch of 30-year-old entrepreneurs who spend each Sunday morning at a public hospital playing foster-relatives and taking care of patients’ needs - monetary and othe wise when they could have been “better off“ playing golf or squash in one the plush Bombay clubs.
We move on from a 55-year-old lady to a bunch of 30-year-old entrepreneurs who spend each Sunday morning at a public hospital playing foster-relatives and taking care of patients’ needs - monetary and othe wise when they could have been “better off“ playing golf or squash in one the plush Bombay clubs.
Or, this benevolent donor at KEM who has and continues to give crores and rupees to us – his only condition - anonymity for himself.
Or, this benevolent donor at KEM who has and continues to give crores and rupees to us – his only condition - anonymity for himself.
Closer at home, I can never express fully the gratitude I feel for scores of Alumni from our department who, over the years, have given lakhs of rupees in cash and kind. Often, with a ”Ravi, you do whatever you want with this”
Closer at home, I can never express fully the gratitude I feel for scores of Alumni from our department who, over the years, have given lakhs of rupees in cash and kind. Often, with a ”Ravi, you do whatever you want with this”
Not that all the above are rich or famous, not all of them give money for 80G or for their names to be etched in gold on black granite.
Not that all the above are rich or famous, not all of them give money for 80G or for their names to be etched in gold on black granite.
They give - not because they have to, but because they want to.
They give - not because they have to, but because they want to.
After all, to give away in charity, you don’t need to have a lot of money – just a big heart …. in the right place.
After all, to give away in charity, you don’t need to have a lot of money – just a big heart …. in the right place.
Thank God, for such “small” mercies in this “mad-house” called KEM.
Thank God, for such “small” mercies in this “mad-house” called KEM.
May 2008
May 2008
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