Desperate for Motherhood

The urge and drive to be a mother is the most beautiful and basic desire of every woman. It is said to have strong genetic undercurrents which is manifested by the strong desire to have a baby. Science has not been able to pinpoint the exact mechanism of this phenomenon , but it is like the most fundamental basic desires of humans and animals as well.

Although it is not incorrigible to understand this behaviour of humans, what is perplexing and often shocking to see is the extent to which your patients will go to achieve the aim. This is often done to the extent of endangering one's own life.

As a clinician you are also part of the dream of the couple to have a little one and guide them and help them in reaching their destination. You are also frustrated like them when the results are negative, and painstakingly continue the fight. But when things go wrong and at times horribly wrong to the extent of putting the lady in grave danger, you have to convince them out of this dangerous journey. It is in those moments that you have to sit back and think. Think about the desperation these couples are going through and the amount of risk they are willing to take !!

I then think, is this really needed ? To what extent should you as a human being go towards achieving this goal. There are lots and lots of examples wherein people stay out of marriage by choice and don't nurture these feelings. Then there are those who sacrifice and put this issue away to pursue their dream career. Then we also have plenty of people who are caught in the patriarchal mindset and the desire for having a boy makes them resort to sex determination and female foeticide. 

Whatever may be the genesis of these desires....maybe biological, genetical, societal, material,philosophical, religious or purely psychological, it is really intimidating and disturbing to witness this brut force of nature at work from such a close distance !!

Doctor we trust you !!

          It is a great privilege to be a doctor and practice medicine. The love, trust and respect that you earn from your patients is phenomenal. The opinion and judgement is valued and taken with a lot of seriousness, often altering the course of the disease and the life as well. This has been the norm for thousands of years and medicine has been indeed practiced in families. But things are changing. The automatic trust bestowed by patients on the medical fraternity is showing signs of erosion. It is onto us , the medical fraternity to stop this breakdown.

         Every other day there is a fresh case of hooliganism and vandalism at some or the other hospital. Doctors are being beaten up, man handled and brought to court. The headlines in today's TOI is "Why Pvt. Hospitals push you to buy expensive medicines". A detailed analysis of the commercial transactions follows. It all boils down to the rampant greed of the pharmaceutical companies and the doctors who willingly or unwillingly become part of their business tactics. On the inside there runs a article which writes about the striking doctors in response to the suspension of a senior HOD after the loss of a patient's life.

         So the point is, there is growing sense of mistrust about the medical fraternity. We have to all come together and stop the deterioration in the doctor patient relationship. These values have to be emphasised at all academic meets and educational institutions. Undue perks and previlages offered by the companies have to be stopped. Focus on academic education and not sponsorships is the need of the day. The govt institutions and medical colleges have to lead the way and bring on more standardised healthcare. Violators have to be punished by the medical fraternity itself. MCI needs to do more and not let courts do the final justice. Hospital administrators need to be patient centric and facilitators of healthcare. They have to be there to help the practioners deliver the services to the clientele.

          A coordinated effort by all the stake holders in bringing down the cost of healthcare will help in bringing the trust back. Healthcare can thus become more affordable and all inclusive. The Pvt sector can then take on more patient load and reduce the dependence on govt institutions. The difference in standards in terms of infrastructure and facilities offered needs to be bridged. 

           It is not too late. We are having the solid foundation of values on which we have based our modern practice. So let it not wither away or go down the drain. Let us safeguard the trust bestowed upon us and rise to the occasion. Let's bring back the glory to the profession and wake up to some good news on a Sunday morning !!

      

What is the answer ??

The sudden increase in the number of incidents of suicide missions targeting innocent civilians is horrendous and scary. What is it that is driving these people to take up arms and massacre fellow humans? What reasons can justify these actions taken with no respect for one's  own safety? What is the thought process that goes in the minds of these normal looking people who suddenly turn violent and commit these barbaric acts. Time has come to start thinking and  tackle this thought process so as prevent these mass murders.

The first reaction of the world community is to immediately establish the ISIS link. True, but these attacks are not limited to only one radical organisation. There have been instances in the past wherein other groups have resorted to these methods, whether it is the LTTE , Naxalites or the Lashkar. The point is, it is not just confined to one radical school of thought namely ISIS. So then is it  the dream of going to heaven that motivates these madmen. Yes it can be only madnesses that can drive you to take such drastic steps. But what about the present life. Is it not worth living. What is the point in sacrificing something you have in bargain for something which nobody is even sure of ... Something which nobody has seen !! 

The fight for a bigger cause, freedom from oppression, freedom to live without fear, fight for your motherland..... the causes are endless and the list is endless. But when such acts are carried out for one of these reasons again the same question comes in. What is the point in sacrificing your present when you can not be part of the end result? Maybe it is the glorification and the celebration that is attached to the "sacrifice" of the person in question that makes him do what he does. So it is the society at large which is responsible for this thought process. We have to stop the glorification of these acts which drive people to do wild and weird acts. Had this been the case we as mankind would not have seen endless wars fought for always the "right" reasons!!

The aim of establishing various religions over time has always been to promote a healthy and pious lifestyle. But ironically it is religion which has  been used to radicalise people and urge them to take up violence for achieving the ultimate goal. It is religion which is responsible for deep fault lines that lie within our society today. They have been exploited by one and all. Politicians, religious leaders or godmen. So this glorification of religiousness has to stop. The blanket sanction that people take for granted when propagating their religious beliefs, must go away. The notion that whatever you do in the garb of religion is fine must be done away with. We should stop taking religion too seriously!!

People argue that what is required is spirituality for the society. It has all the answers. The Nirvana, the Moksha, The Heaven, Jannat.....the promise is the same. Again one is being asked to sacrifice his present for something which nobody has seen. Nobody is sure whether it exists. So is it in any ways different. The thought process remains the same. Aim for the ultimate "truth". So do we really want to follow this unknown path. The pursuit of this path ultimately leads to a path of self destruction. A family has to pay the price of the renunciation. So should it be encouraged. Should it be preached. Isn't it a form of violence against the gift of nature. A life which we have been blessed with. So why not lead it in the most simplest form. As it is. Without any complications due to all these factors. As Osho famously said that  , "first we have to learn to live in the present". Leave aside all these vague and unproven goals.

How about a scientific analysis of the brains of all such affected individuals. Can we find a clue as to what triggers the mind to act in such a rash and violent way? Can genetics provide an answer? Can we brain map the individuals and find clues. Or is it nature's way of controlling the human species. A method to control the population and limit the damage we inflict on nature. An auto control mechanism. Maybe it was destined to be....by the "Creator" !!  Nobody knows the truth. Till then we have to keep asking....What is the answer ??

Andamans

If you have watched the movie Zindagi Na Milegee Doobara, then do you remember the scene where Rhitik Roshan comes out from the water after SCUBA diving onto the boat and just sits there with a very lost expression and finally starts crying? Well that particular emotion beautifully captured on camera tells us exactly what he has undergone after diving in the blue waters. It is the enormity and beauty of nature that has struck him and overwhelmed him !! If you ever dreamed of having such a moment in your life then you are thinking on the right lines. It is something which you should never miss in life and it should be there on your list of "Ten things to do before I die".

There is no better place than Andaman seas to take that plunge into the aquamarine waters. I feel that the most important thing you should do when you visit Andamans is snorkelling and SCUBA diving. And the place for your adventure to kickstart is Havelock island.

Havelock island is about about 100 nautical miles from mainland. There are regular ships to and fro from Port Blair. There is a reservation centre at Port Blair through which you can book once you reach there. There are other options in the form of private ships which ply on the route, better ships but are obviously expensive. As it is, most of the time you will spend on the deck of the ship. So think twice before you splurge on that exotic boat.

There are many resorts on Havelock island. prominent among them are Barefoot at Havelock, Holiday Inn etc. We had stayed put at Symphony Palms. There are some resorts catering exclusively to divers and are mostly booked by foreigners well in advance.





 I think you need to spend at least 3-4 days in Havelock. Book full meal plans with your hotel as there are very few other restaurants out there. But you can try other resorts if you want to explore.

First day, visit the famous Elephant beach. It is accessible only by a boat. There are boats which will take you there in the morning. They will organise snorkeling for you. There is no need for you to be a swimmer. They will guide you and take you inside the ocean near the coral reef using life jackets.

It is really amazing to see the underwater world in a way you never thought possible. It is an altogether different world. A riot of colours. For the adventurous, the ultimate thing is SCUBA diving. There is another option for people who don't want to try snorkelling. And that is glass bottom boat. It in no way offers the same thrill, but nevertheless it's an option.

The beach is so clean and unspoilt that it appears like a huge swimming pool. Aquamarine crystal clear water. Frankly, having seen Mumbai , Goa and Konkan seashores, I was shocked beyond belief to find the water so clear, clean and translucent.

The next day head for SCUBA DIVING. There are various packages available, but a basic training and a single fun dive costs about 6-7 thousand Rs. Per head.You can take multiple dive packages if you enjoy it. The dive masters and boatman take you to a preselected diving spot. They train you in batches, regarding the use of the breathing apparatus and also various emergency manoeuvres. This itself will take about 2 hrs . They ensure you are comfortable in about 7-8 feet deep water.

The real fun starts when you begin the actual dive. The dive master takes you inside the water gradually. He controls your buoyancy and the speed. Your life is in his hands. You have to breathe properly. And believe me its scary. Once you get comfortable with the swim, he will take you deeper along the coral reef. And what do you see..... Something you had seen only on National geographic channel.

It is beyond words. The colourful world of the fish , big and small, in different shapes and sizes. It is as if you are transported into a different world altogether. When you see swarms of fish heading towards you, in thousands, and you wave your hand through them, you feel alive and thank god for the wonderful world he has created for all of us to enjoy. You will be witness to the live corals and see colorful fish playing hide and seek there. As long as you descent along the reef and are oriented with the shoreline, you are psychologically at ease. But the moment you take a turn and see the emptiness and vastness of the deep blue sea, it sends shivers down your spine. And mind you, you are already about 20 feet underwater seeing the rays of light being filtered through the waters.Ah what a feeling....

You can also take some underwater snaps with corals and the Nemos. I am sure that once you have done this you will come back for more.......

 Enjoy your packed lunch on the boat and finally head back to your hotel. An campfire on the beach would be perfect to end the amazing day.

What to see in Port Blair.

If you are not fascinated by water then there is not much point in visiting Andamans. Nevertheless there are certain other standard tourist hot-spots which you can visit.

Cellular jail. 

The jail where Veer Savarkar was imprisoned, is not to be missed. You can see the actual cell where he was holed up.




Do go on the rooftop of the jail. It gives some amazing views.

The mangroves and the drive along NH 10

It is a beautiful drive and takes a full day. Movement is in convoys through the Jungle. You will come across the famous Jaravah tribes here. The limestone caves are fascinating to see.

Apart from these two spots there are other spots like the aquarium, temples and beaches. 

If you have time and the inclination you can visit many islands like Neil island and ..... There are some tours which take you and drop you on some uninhabited  islands too.

The city of Port Blair is quiet spread out. It is very clean and maintained. And most importantly not so crowded. So enjoy your stay there and come back again and again so that your dream of becoming a certified SCUBA diver comes true.....

 HAPPY DIVING !!

Tawang sojourn

   
   There is a time in your daily routine life when you get really bogged down by the monotony of your job requirements, social commitments, the hustle and bustle of the crowded city life...... You get it don't you ? Well that's the time you need to get out of the grid and head to a place where you can connect with nature and yourself. And yes what better place than Tawang, the eastern most part of Arunachal touching Bhutan on one side and China on the northern front.

          Tawang is accessible from Tejpur and is about 300 km from it. One has to stay put somewhere en route as one cannot make it in a day. We had started from Guwahati and hence we hit Tenga the first day. Tenga is a very small town at an altitude of about 6000 ft. The journey through the plains along the basin of Mighty Brahmaputra is very smooth and the highway is pretty good. It feels as if you are in some part of Goa. It is dotted by green paddy fields interspersed with coconut plantations. We stopped by for the fresh coconut water on offer at the many roadside shops on the highway itself. 

         One has to take a detour from the highway and head towards Tejpur. Kazhiranga is also just 30 km from there and you can club that too in your itinerary. Once you hit Tejpur, grab a bite as it is a  small town with some good eating joints. Mind you, this is the last point where you will find good restaurants till Tawang. So fill yourself and drive on.

Orchids

        The journey after Bhalukpong is really beautiful and thrilling as you enter the mighty Himalayas. There is a Orchid research centre there and do make it a point to drop in there. In the months of May through July they will be in full bloom.

Orchids

Orchids

        The road is really narrow and curvaceous as you head towards Nechiphu and is usually foggy with almost nil visibility. We travelled through these conditions for almost 2 hrs. It was only when we gained height and approached Tenga that it actually cleared. I had never really seen such a  long stretch of foggy conditions . Kids were particularly pretty scared !! 

Tenga Haat

            Tenga is small village to be fair to it and is mostly occupied by army. It has a very small market and the weather is quiet chilly. We stayed put for the next day there just to rest and acclimatize ourselves. A nice spot to eat out is the Tenga Haat maintained by army along the banks of the river.

Tenga river

Tenga river

Chillipam monastery

 
     While in Tenga do not the miss the picturesque Chillipam monastery. It is by far the most beautiful monastery in Arunachal and probably the best you will ever see. Located at a beautiful hilltop and surrounded by mountains from all sides , it is very pretty. The ride itself is very pleasant and enjoyable. You will find lots of locals coming here for their small picnics. The monastery itself is so vividly colourful that it blows you away. It's a riot of colours amidst a wonderful Himalayan landscape. Chillipam is also surrounded from all sides by peaks and is very beautifully located. It gives an amazing sense of calm and peace, no wonder it houses the school for young lamas.

School for young lamas

Chillipam monastery entry gate

Bomdilla town as seen from Chillipam

         Once you leave Tenga and approach Bomdila, the climb is very steep and the mercury also drops pretty fast. There is change in the vegetation with the coniferous trees gradually disappearing and giving way to small bushy trees. Bomdilla town sits atop the pass and literally guards the 7274 ft pass. It offers spectacular views of the Tenga valley down below. It is a good place to take a halt if required. The town is reasonably big with all amenities and lots of government offices.

Dirang

On crossing Bomdila , the drive is again downhill to the quaint town of Dirang. En route there are lots of shops selling locally produced Rajma, which is of a good quality and cheaply priced.

Dirang is famous for its old Dirang Dzong or fort. It was used as a jail during the Vietnam war and also in world war. It houses the Monpa tribes today, and is a tourist attraction. So do make it a point to see it.

First glimpse of snow

        From Dirang the drive is along the valley and it offers the first glimpse of the spectacular snow peaks.It gives us a sense of magnificence of the mighty Himalayas and our place in the nature's scheme of things. Once we reach the base of Sela pass, the steep climb starts. Gradually we start seeing the entire valley through which we have just approached the pass. The peaks start appearing at our eye level and the entire perspective changes. We pass through Senge and reach Baisakhi. A beautifully placed location, it has got a nice little restaurant run by the army at very affordable rates and overlooking the valley. It is the best place to have your noodles and Parathas, before you head for Sela.

Entry to Tawang

Sela from distance

Army rescuing a stuck  civilian vehicle

Sela pass top

        Further high up we approach the 14700 ft  Sela pass. It is the gateway to the Tawang valley and was snow clad in the month of April. It was snowing pretty heavily and was absolutely freezing out there. But it was stunningly beautiful. The top of the pass houses the Sela lake which is very very pretty. In spite of the bad weather we did manage to get out of the vehicle and take some snaps.Little did we know that we  were going to be blessed with sunny weather and stunning beauty on our way back.

Icicle formation at Sela top

Sela lake

Sela lake

         On crossing the Sela pass , the drive is again downhill as we enter the Tawang valley. It was totally snow bound till we reached Jaswantgarh. It is place of historical importance and it has the memorial named after the MVC awardee Hon Capt  Jaswant Singh Rawat, who had laid down his life defending our motherland against the Chinese onslaught. The battle of Nuranang was fought in this location. Jaswant Singh had bravely defended the Indian post with just two machine guns against the numerical onslaught of the Chinese. They believed that the post was defended by a company as he used to keep on firing with different guns. It is held that he had single handedly eliminated about 300 enemies. The memorial is nicely maintained and even till date his boots are shined, his uniform and accouterments cared for. He has received all his promotions till date !!

Jung falls

     
        We descended into the Tawang valley after that and headed straight towards Jung falls. It is huge waterfall and made famous due to the shooting of the Shah Rukh movie Koyla. The fall is very picturesque and offers excellent photo opportunities. you have to take a small detour off the main road to reach Jung falls.

       Then we drove along the valley towards Tawang. Tawang is perched on the slopes and overlooks the valley. Further ascent leads us towards Bumla and the Indochinese border. The town is scattered and moderately big. There is a small market. There are a few decent restaurants serving both Chinese, Indian and Tibetan dishes.

Tawang

Sunrise as seen in Tawang valley

Tawang valley

      The view of the valley is very beautiful and it is pleasure to see sunrise with the golden rays falling on the snow caps. It gives it a very surreal appearance.

Tawang monastery

Tawang monastery

Tawang monastery is known as Galden Namgey Lhatse which translates to "celestial paradise in a clear night." It was founded by Merak Lama Gyatso in 1681, and belongs to the Gelug school of Mahayana Buddhism. There are about 65 residential buildings in it and houses about 450 monks.

      The other attractions in Tawang are the Sangetsar lake and Bum la. The approach to both the places is from Maratha light ground towards the Trijunction. From there the road splits to the respective destinations. Bum la is at an altitude of 16,500 ft and is 37 km from Trijunction. It has the Border personnel meeting (BPM) post for having Indo Chinese meetings and dialogues. It is the same route through which Dalai Lama had escaped from Tibet to India. The approach road is difficult and gets closed after snowfall. We couldn't proceed as it was heavily snow clad.
      Sangetsar Tso or lake is a must see and is famous as "Madhuri lake" due to the screening of Koyla movie here. It is 7 km from trijunction. It is believed to have been formed after an earthquake due to falling of boulders, rocks and trees.

     So visit  Tawang for a life time of adventure, beauty and memories. For the daring, motor biking is also an option !! Bye for now.

"Wandering one gathers honey."