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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
The Countdown !!
The Countdown !!
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
It happened a ‘couple’ of years ago – on November 29 2006 – when I turned 54. There is this ritual in our department, when residents dutifully cut a cake for my birthday and present me with a card (one of the rare mementos I preserve) which says all nice things about their ‘teacher’. So on this day, one of my lecturers said “Sir, how many more years before you retire?” That jolted me back into the realisation of the fact that I would have to quit this place I call home away from home in another four years.
It happened a ‘couple’ of years ago – on November 29 2006 – when I turned 54. There is this ritual in our department, when residents dutifully cut a cake for my birthday and present me with a card (one of the rare mementos I preserve) which says all nice things about their ‘teacher’. So on this day, one of my lecturers said “Sir, how many more years before you retire?” That jolted me back into the realisation of the fact that I would have to quit this place I call home away from home in another four years.
As days have merged into months and months into years, my countdown to November 30, 2010 has almost come to end...
As days have merged into months and months into years, my countdown to November 30, 2010 has almost come to end...
And it all seems like just yesterday. Walking from the main road bus stop along the empty (yes it used to sparsely populated those days – unlike the chaotic traffic jams of today) Acharya Donde Marg to the college office and paying my MBBS fees. Those days it was just the kids who came alone to pay the fees – not like today where it done with “family and friends”. Come to think of it – by the time I retire - I, like many GSites before me, would have spent more than two thirds of my life and all of my adult years within the four walls of these glorious institutions we call GS and KEM.
And it all seems like just yesterday. Walking from the main road bus stop along the empty (yes it used to sparsely populated those days – unlike the chaotic traffic jams of today) Acharya Donde Marg to the college office and paying my MBBS fees. Those days it was just the kids who came alone to pay the fees – not like today where it done with “family and friends”. Come to think of it – by the time I retire - I, like many GSites before me, would have spent more than two thirds of my life and all of my adult years within the four walls of these glorious institutions we call GS and KEM.
The place grows on you and you become an inseparable part of its glorious edifice. The MLT, the dissection hall and corridors of the hospital and of course, the canteen become an inseparable part of your GSite life.
The place grows on you and you become an inseparable part of its glorious edifice. The MLT, the dissection hall and corridors of the hospital and of course, the canteen become an inseparable part of your GSite life.
For those of us that preferred the “full-time” life, life continues on in the campus even as, one with some luck or a lot of it – as in my case, rises up the hierarchy of academia and then you suddenly find yourself heading a department.
For those of us that preferred the “full-time” life, life continues on in the campus even as, one with some luck or a lot of it – as in my case, rises up the hierarchy of academia and then you suddenly find yourself heading a department.
Not all are so lucky.. and boy, have I been lucky..!!
Not all are so lucky.. and boy, have I been lucky..!!
From some great UG teachers - to master bedside educators - to some o the best minds in Medicine. I have seen them all.. learnt from them and worshiped a few.. some continue to be lifelong heroes. As I look up to my teachers, now walking along with me,, as I look at my colleagues both within and outside the department,I am filled with gratitude for the enrichment that they have brought me.
From some great UG teachers - to master bedside educators - to some o the best minds in Medicine. I have seen them all.. learnt from them and worshiped a few.. some continue to be lifelong heroes. As I look up to my teachers, now walking along with me,, as I look at my colleagues both within and outside the department,I am filled with gratitude for the enrichment that they have brought me.
Students both UG and PG – from both within and outside Radiology, have been the ones that have driven me through these 30 years. Their enthusiasm to learn and work, and their subtle hints at my lack of knowledge and ignorance, their quizzing minds .. all make one’s day.
Students both UG and PG – from both within and outside Radiology, have been the ones that have driven me through these 30 years. Their enthusiasm to learn and work, and their subtle hints at my lack of knowledge and ignorance, their quizzing minds .. all make one’s day.
And finally, the very purpose we are all here.. the ubiquitous KEM patient. They are all over the place trying to make sense of what appears to be a chaotic system. We try our best to help.. feeling sad, when we are unable to.. they are the foundation on which our institutions rest.
And finally, the very purpose we are all here.. the ubiquitous KEM patient. They are all over the place trying to make sense of what appears to be a chaotic system. We try our best to help.. feeling sad, when we are unable to.. they are the foundation on which our institutions rest.
And so we have this axiom that we are students at all times and we owe our patients all that we know . And, in return, we must share all we can - we live by them - for them. That has been the tradition of GS and KEM and it is for us to keep that flag flying high and I sure you will… remembering at all times that..
And so we have this axiom that we are students at all times and we owe our patients all that we know . And, in return, we must share all we can - we live by them - for them. That has been the tradition of GS and KEM and it is for us to keep that flag flying high and I sure you will… remembering at all times that..
No written word, no spoken plea,
No written word, no spoken plea,
can teach our youth what to be,
can teach our youth what to be,
Nor all the books on all the shelves,
Nor all the books on all the shelves,
It is what the teachers are themselves.
It is what the teachers are themselves.
At yesterday’s farewells, they said all the nice things about me… I basked in the glory of the moment knowing only too well that both the moment and glory are only evanescent - what remains are
At yesterday’s farewells, they said all the nice things about me… I basked in the glory of the moment knowing only too well that both the moment and glory are only evanescent - what remains are
the traditions we were given,
the traditions we were given,
the traditions we tried to maintain and enrich and
the traditions we tried to maintain and enrich and
the tradition that we hope will be carried on.
the tradition that we hope will be carried on.
That tradition, dear friends and students, is now in your hands,
That tradition, dear friends and students, is now in your hands,
And, dear bacchus, live life beyond yourself; for in life, it is possible to win the game and still be a loser and lose the game and still come up as a winner… it is not about winning, it is not about being better than someone else; but, giving the best that you are capable of ! And do not mistake reputation with character! If you do not believe me, listen to Coach Wooden.
And, dear bacchus, live life beyond yourself; for in life, it is possible to win the game and still be a loser and lose the game and still come up as a winner… it is not about winning, it is not about being better than someone else; but, giving the best that you are capable of ! And do not mistake reputation with character! If you do not believe me, listen to Coach Wooden.
They asked me why I teach,
They asked me why I teach,
And I replied
And I replied
Where else could I find
Where else could I find
such splendid company…
such splendid company…
So, as I write this line my throat fills into a lump even as I thank you all for the "time of my life" these past 40 years.
So, as I write this line my throat fills into a lump even as I thank you all for the "time of my life" these past 40 years.
So long and happy be but, say no more that no one envies thee..
So long and happy be but, say no more that no one envies thee..
Fondly,
Fondly,
Ravi.
Ravi.
November 30, 2010
November 30, 2010
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