Bhaiji – My Father

We all fondly addressed him as Bhaiji, a term deeply rooted in the Marwadi language that is used to convey reverence and respect when referring to one’s father. My father overcame a difficult childhood to build a successful life. A man who lived a full and meaningful life, he was a survivor, an entrepreneur, a … Read more

Bai-My Mother

Bai—this is how most Marwaris address their mother. We too followed the tradition. Born to Shri Shriram and Gopi Bai Mundra on 5 January 1925, she was the first of the five children. She came from Barshi, a town in Solapur district of Western Maharashtra. As was the norm those days, she completed her primary … Read more

Simple, Inexpensive, Effective, Implementable. What more can a Surgeon ask for?

Some research studies make you sit up and take notice when you eye their titles and read the findings. The Lancet study published on 31 October 2022 is one such. A study everyone entering an OT must read. Why did I like this study? Because, hundreds of thousands of studies are published every year. But … Read more

Medical Education: Does language matter?

Twenty-four medical schools in Madhya Pradesh have made an offer that makes one sit up and notice. Now the teachers can teach and assess medical students using medical textbooks in Hindi. Students have also an option of writing their exams in Hindi. For first MBBS students, the state government has developed, and recently released Hindi … Read more

Dr KV Desikan

Dr K.V. Desikan,  a legend in leprosy, passed away on 23rd October, 2022. He was ninety six. In a career spanning more than sixty years, Dr. Desikan invested considerable effort and time trying to understand the mystery that shrouds leprosy. He began working in an area few others cared about. Leprosy, in the early fifties, … Read more

Wasudeo Deodhe- The Sevagram Man Friday

Wasudeo. Does this name evoke a memory of a person who you met and spoke to during your Sevagram days? You surely would recall him—this man- Friday from the dean’s office knew the art of getting the impossible done. He spent four decades in Sevagram (1969- 2007) and is still remembered for his work.   I spoke … Read more