Sevagram Reflections – Page 9

𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗚𝗜𝗠𝗦 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

A medical college, known by any other name, would still produce MBBS and MDs. Wasn’t it William Shakespeare who wrote in Romeo and Juliet: ‘What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.’ Well, it does matter. 𝗠𝗚𝗜𝗠𝗦 certainly sounds better than 𝗠𝗚𝗖𝗠𝗦. Back in 1969, MGIMS, as it stands today, …

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗠𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗠𝗚𝗜𝗠𝗦

In November 1981, I earned my MD in Medicine from the Government Medical College, Nagpur. Guided by Dr. BS Chaubey, known for his razor-sharp mind, clinical acumen, and rapid-fire diagnoses, I underwent rigorous training. His witty and incisive remarks during ward rounds were a hallmark of his teaching style. Spending two-and-half years in Ward 23 of the GMC hospital, I …

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵: 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹

In the scorching summer of 1975, my elder sister, then in her 30s, fell seriously ill. Dissatisfied with the medical care she was receiving in Bhopal, we quickly moved her to Wardha, where my parents lived. Kasturba Hospital in Sevagram was still in its early stages back then. 𝗗𝗿. (𝗠𝘀) 𝗣. 𝗡𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗿, an Obstetrics and Gynaecology professor at MGIMS, became …

At the helm: MGIMS Student’s Section Chief

In the early seventies, when MGIMS was just beginning, many people, not just doctors and administrators, played important roles in its growth. Now, as these pioneers retire, their stories are at risk of being forgotten. It’s crucial to record and preserve their contributions for future generations. Dr. Bipin Amin (1975) recently requested me to write about Mr. Gavli’s story. 𝗠𝗿. …

Memories in Monochrome: Prime Minister’s Visit to Adhayan Mandir

In 1969, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited MGIMS. She spoke to a small group of medical students in the Adhyayan Mandir near the old Kasturba hospital. I’m unsure about the occasion of Indira Gandhi’s visit, as I was only a ninth-grade student at Swavalambi Vidyalaya in Wardha at that time. This morning, I stumbled upon a historical photograph on the …

MGIMS Hostel Chronicles: The Tale of Premdas

After sharing Bele’s story yesterday, several MGIMS alumni requested that I describe Premdas. Today, I had the opportunity to interview him, and what I uncovered is truly fascinating. Like Bele, Premdas entered the MGIMS hostel in ’72, originating from Pujai village. Before discovering his place in the Boys’ hostel, he also worked as a daily wage laborer in the gardens, …

Bonds Beyond Time: Memories from MGIMS Hostels

MGIMS sprang to life during the monsoons of 1969. In the early years, there were no proper hostels. Boys stayed in the Patel hostel, and girls in the nursing hostel. These were not true hostels, but simple shelters that provided a roof over their heads. In 1972, eight hostel blocks were built, labeled A through H. Each block had 51 …

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗽𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗶𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗿

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗽𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗶𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗿 A fortnight ago, Dr. Mihir Wechalekar, an alumnus of MGIMS, class of 1992, received the prestigious 2024 Mid-Career Excellence Award in Australia. This honour was bestowed upon him at the combined New Zealand Australian Rheumatology Association Annual Scientific Meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand. This award highlights his thirst for …

Surprise and Sentiment: Mr. SR Halbe’s Memorable 76th Birthday

On May 10, an unknown number flashed on my phone. A few minutes earlier, I had received a message from the same number, introducing the sender as Mr. Halbe’s student and current colleague, requesting to speak with me about a surprise event for Mr. Halbe’s 76th birthday. The caller was Mr. Shrirang Padhye, a Mumbai-based chartered accountant. A former student …

Leading the Way: Introducing MGIMS’s New President

The Kasturba Health Society in Sevagram, which oversees MGIMS, is about to embrace its third President in its illustrious 55-year history. Dr. Sushila Nayar, the visionary founder, led the institute for 31 years, from 1969 to 2001. Following her passing, Dhirubhai Mehta assumed leadership, guiding MGIMS for 24 years. Sadly, Dhirubhai passed away on April 22, 2024, aged 88. Nature …