If someone asks about my happiest moments in med college,it will undoubtedly be the time spent with innocent rural folk.They are poor,infact,very poor...illiterate but very lovable.I do not see that innocence when I see through windows of a BMTC bus fighting its way through Bangalore roads.I would call it 'the missing HRUDAYAVANTIKE'.The faces on streets in a busy city lack compassion.One patient posted for a major gyneac surgery tells me,"I have to go home for Ugaadi,Ninn hangeya nangond hennu magi aite,manyaage"....
We infringe on thier privacy for learning med,but they smile the next day and ask,"tindi aaitraa?"...I have never felt like a stranger amidst all these people.Ofcourse,we learn primary lessons of compassion and empathy from these people,especially women in OBG wards.To be a mother is a great joy,the new found love of their life flows into our lives too.Loss of children brings unspeakable sorrow manifesting as silence.What is appalling is that they have more things to complain about than we do,but smile a lot more than us.Nothing surprises me like the spirit of these people!
For the first time,i saw my prof treating these women the way they deserve to be treated..With love, care and due respect.Clinical acumen is one thing,rapport with the sick is another.It is really difficult to deal with seriously ill patients.I have met some really grumpy ones,taken abuses for trying to speak to them..it is a tough job.I see my prof talking to people like a magician,they smile,offer their breakfast to her,she replies,'Neenu tinnu Raamakka,naanu ivattu vaangi baat tindu bande...'.Some feel soo close to her that they suddenly start addressing her in singular.She does not mind but assures the woman that she will be discharged for Ugaadi."Ooo..dhaaraalavaagi manegi hogi neenu obbattu madabahudu,aitaa?"...