Reflections on Medicine and Life by Dr. S.P. Kalantri
Long before Sevagram became a sprawling campus of healing and learning, something quietly profound took root beside the Biochemistry lab on the ground floor of the old Kasturba hospital. It was 1969. The college was just finding its footing—and so was its library. A single almirah, 35 books, one table, and two chairs. But what … Read more
August 8, 1968. A date like many others in the national calendar—almost forgotten. But in a modest meeting room in Delhi, something quietly historic stirred. Three minds met. The agenda: to build a medical college in Sevagram Morarji Desai, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, was from Delhi—famoulsy frugal. Beside him sat Vasantrao Naik, Chief … Read more
𝘎𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯, Pendsey. 𝘞𝘪𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘩𝘵 𝘦𝘴 𝘐𝘩𝘯𝘦𝘯? 𝘜𝘯𝘥 Happy Birthday! It’s the 18th of May. Like always, I wake up thinking of you, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘆. For years, I’d call and surprise you with my rusty German. You’d laugh, loudly. “𝘝𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘬,” you’d say. Your accent was better. Your joy, louder. That laugh still echoes. … Read more
I must admit that I, too, was—and still am—a medical teacher who guided—or is misguided the more appropriate word?—over three dozen postgraduates in writing their MD theses. I do not wish to stand on a pedestal or adopt a “holier than thou” posture. I have erred, misjudged, behaved badly, mishandled situations, and at times, been … Read more
“So, what’s up?” I asked the young postgraduate from a neighbouring medical college. He had just run into me on the road. “I’ve finished my thesis, sir,” he said, sounding both relieved and battle-weary. “Now preparing for the MD exams—just two months to go.” “That’s done?” I raised my eyebrows. “Already?” “Yes, sir,” he nodded. … Read more