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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
The right thing to do…
The right thing to do…
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
It was a routine monthly faculty meeting at the department. We usually discuss ‘this and that’ concerning patient care, education and research.
It was a routine monthly faculty meeting at the department. We usually discuss ‘this and that’ concerning patient care, education and research.
When it came to resident training, I asked if we needed to purchase any new textbooks for the department library. I believe these are important source of reading for our faculty and residents … especially when they are on call.
When it came to resident training, I asked if we needed to purchase any new textbooks for the department library. I believe these are important source of reading for our faculty and residents … especially when they are on call.
A few moments of of silence followed.
A few moments of of silence followed.
And then a senior member of the faculty, who is known for her integrity and forthright speech said something along these lines :
And then a senior member of the faculty, who is known for her integrity and forthright speech said something along these lines :
“Sir, where do residents read textbooks these days. All of them have pirated PDFs of books on their IPads or cell phones and that’s what they use..”
“Sir, where do residents read textbooks these days. All of them have pirated PDFs of books on their IPads or cell phones and that’s what they use..”
I have been aware that many of us both in medicine and outside medicine, use illegal PDFs of some text books with no qualms whatsoever .. so too for software., music, videos, movies,
I have been aware that many of us both in medicine and outside medicine, use illegal PDFs of some text books with no qualms whatsoever .. so too for software., music, videos, movies,
Have I forgotten something?
Have I forgotten something?
Pirating is the rule.
Pirating is the rule.
What about me?
What about me?
To be sure, during my days at KEM, I have used a lot of pirated software.. I didn't know better and “everyone seemed to be doing it”. But it would bother me no end.. And soon after leaving KEM, I had the wherewithal to set this right and I did this in my own way. Since then, I have NEVER used pirated software.
To be sure, during my days at KEM, I have used a lot of pirated software.. I didn't know better and “everyone seemed to be doing it”. But it would bother me no end.. And soon after leaving KEM, I had the wherewithal to set this right and I did this in my own way. Since then, I have NEVER used pirated software.
Textbooks?
Textbooks?
Undergraduate books were hand-me-downs from my sister.
Undergraduate books were hand-me-downs from my sister.
The ones I purchased myself, I cherish to this day.
The ones I purchased myself, I cherish to this day.
Ham’s histology, Grant’s atlas of Anatomy, Last’s anatomy for example.
Ham’s histology, Grant’s atlas of Anatomy, Last’s anatomy for example.
Besides, those days, the 1970s.. ‘Xeroxing’ anything was a novelty.
Besides, those days, the 1970s.. ‘Xeroxing’ anything was a novelty.
Later while in radiology, I purchased just one book for myself - Sutton’s textbook - not even Felson’s Gita. - Chest Roentgenology.
Later while in radiology, I purchased just one book for myself - Sutton’s textbook - not even Felson’s Gita. - Chest Roentgenology.
You see I was the ‘Ghost who walks” haunting the department most times. My teachers had stocked the department library well. Besides, I rarely read “for exam”.. Most of my reading was ‘on a case” basis. So textbooks came in handy (Thank God, no Google then ,.. visits to the GS or Tata library were always enriching. You always ended up reading more than what you came for.. often they are the fun things .. like the story of 1 mL of free air in the peritoneal cavity.
You see I was the ‘Ghost who walks” haunting the department most times. My teachers had stocked the department library well. Besides, I rarely read “for exam”.. Most of my reading was ‘on a case” basis. So textbooks came in handy (Thank God, no Google then ,.. visits to the GS or Tata library were always enriching. You always ended up reading more than what you came for.. often they are the fun things .. like the story of 1 mL of free air in the peritoneal cavity.
Anyway, as more and more residents passed through the department at KEM when I was the chief, I learnt from a few ‘loyal residents’ that a few of the library books were being xeroxed in spite of a stern warning: “Photocopying library books is forbidden”.
Anyway, as more and more residents passed through the department at KEM when I was the chief, I learnt from a few ‘loyal residents’ that a few of the library books were being xeroxed in spite of a stern warning: “Photocopying library books is forbidden”.
So I asked this resident, who was in-charge of the library's that term - what punishment should we be meting out to these wayward, photocopying residents..
So I asked this resident, who was in-charge of the library's that term - what punishment should we be meting out to these wayward, photocopying residents..
She simply said “Sir,. please give me a day, I will think something up”.
She simply said “Sir,. please give me a day, I will think something up”.
The next morning on visiting our department library, I found a new ‘notice’ prominently displayed on the glass doors of all our library cupboards.
The next morning on visiting our department library, I found a new ‘notice’ prominently displayed on the glass doors of all our library cupboards.
“Anyone found Xeroxing books will be given 3 lashes.”.!. She was a no push-over!
“Anyone found Xeroxing books will be given 3 lashes.”.!. She was a no push-over!
With time, the number of lashes was increased to 10 and so on.
With time, the number of lashes was increased to 10 and so on.
I don't know how many lashes it has progressed to now.
I don't know how many lashes it has progressed to now.
It is the culture we have in our country these days.
It is the culture we have in our country these days.
Achieve your goal - no matter the means.
Achieve your goal - no matter the means.
The competitive entrance exams and over bearing ‘helicopter parents’ add fuel.
The competitive entrance exams and over bearing ‘helicopter parents’ add fuel.
When I talk to people about this, they will brand me to be old-fashioned, fossilised lunatic saying :
When I talk to people about this, they will brand me to be old-fashioned, fossilised lunatic saying :
“Arey abhi to sub chalta hai” (everything is OK now)
“Arey abhi to sub chalta hai” (everything is OK now)
How can xeroxing copyrighted material or pirating commercial software or music ever be right .. chlata hai?
How can xeroxing copyrighted material or pirating commercial software or music ever be right .. chlata hai?
When he was in his late teens, my son would blissfully use Torrents to download music and such and we have had endless arguments on why this is wrong.
When he was in his late teens, my son would blissfully use Torrents to download music and such and we have had endless arguments on why this is wrong.
“Dad, these things are way too expensive.. inflated.. bloated.. I cannot afford them”
“Dad, these things are way too expensive.. inflated.. bloated.. I cannot afford them”
I would respond “Go rob a bank, or steal a wallet and you can have all the money you want.
I would respond “Go rob a bank, or steal a wallet and you can have all the money you want.
Gradually he seemed to get the point.
Gradually he seemed to get the point.
Time passed, my son started writing music and playing the guitar; recording and mastering songs .. hourless days and sleepless nights ..in his makeshift ‘studio’ at home. And then one day, several years later, he came up to me and said:
Time passed, my son started writing music and playing the guitar; recording and mastering songs .. hourless days and sleepless nights ..in his makeshift ‘studio’ at home. And then one day, several years later, he came up to me and said:
“Dad you were right. Pirating and illegal copying of stuff is wrong. I now realise how many hours and days of work and thought goes into making even a few lines of music. Besides, each time I copy stuff illegally, I feel I am robbing somebody's wallet”
“Dad you were right. Pirating and illegal copying of stuff is wrong. I now realise how many hours and days of work and thought goes into making even a few lines of music. Besides, each time I copy stuff illegally, I feel I am robbing somebody's wallet”
Since that time, he is all “genuine stuff” only.
Since that time, he is all “genuine stuff” only.
I have a few colleagues and friends who have written landmark works in radiology and I am personally aware of the effort that goes into every detail in the book.
I have a few colleagues and friends who have written landmark works in radiology and I am personally aware of the effort that goes into every detail in the book.
You see, you do not have to go through such experiences yourself.
You see, you do not have to go through such experiences yourself.
Every time you feel like photocopying a book; downloading Torrent music or software, or picking someone’s pocket or robbing a bank - or at the crossroads of doing or not doing something, close your eyes for a moment and ask yourself this simple question:
Every time you feel like photocopying a book; downloading Torrent music or software, or picking someone’s pocket or robbing a bank - or at the crossroads of doing or not doing something, close your eyes for a moment and ask yourself this simple question:
“What is the right thing to do?”
“What is the right thing to do?”
Sooner or later, you will start doing the right things - for, no matter how hard you try , you cannot cheat yourself.
Sooner or later, you will start doing the right things - for, no matter how hard you try , you cannot cheat yourself.
April 2019.
April 2019.
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