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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Doctors feel the pulse of their alma mater
A rare 'diagnosis' of excellence at Madras Medical College Madras Medical College of the 1960s and 70s encouraged extracurricular activities from the get-go. Interviews pertaining to admission into courses accorded weightage to accomplishments in sports and music as well as communication skills. Once onboarded, students found themselves being urged to participate in intercollegiate festivals. Dr. N. Karthikeyan, an active member of MMC's basketball and volleyball teams when he was a student at the college, recalls: 'In July and August, an inter-medical colleges sports festival would take place for a week. I remember going to CMC - Vellore where basketball, volleyball, hockey and athletics tournaments were conducted,' says Dr. N. Karthikeyan, retired director of medical services (ESI). MMC had a decent sports facility which was busy during weekends and busier ahead of inter-medical colleges sports events. 'MMC's biggest rival was Stanley Medical College as they they too had a good basketball team,' says Karthikeyan. Sports enthusiasts from the 1975 batch recall a visit to Thanjavur Medical College where they were provided with bicycles, the campus being vast in expanse and could not be covered on foot. 'Once we went to Osmania Medical College, where all arrangements and expenses were met by our college so that we could participate in the event,' says Dr Karthikeyan. Skits and drama events were a big draw at college fests. V. K. Ramadesikan, who was professor of Biochemistry at MMC, remembers being part of 'Operation Garage' where he played the role of a patient. The skit was staged at the fest organised by All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi and won the team of 12-13 the best skit award. 'It was a humorous mime about surgery happening in a motor service garage,' says Dr. Ramadesikan, adding that it was later telecast on Doordarshan. The 1975 batch has a doctor's satchel of memories to relive during the reunion on August 10. During the third year of college, more than 50 of them went on an overseas trip to Ceylon. The college also hosted a medical exhibition - a first of its kind - that widened the students' horizons of knowledge in terms of advancements in the field of medicine. Notable members of the 1975 batch include Dr. S. Natarajan, a Padma Shri and BC Roy awardee; Dr C.V Harinarayanan, an endocrinologist; and Dr T. Rajkumar, a cancer researcher. There are also batchmates who excelled outside the field of medicine. 'Next to my roll number was Rajasekhar's, who dropped out of college during the house surgeon days, to enrol with the film institute and is today a popular actor in Telugu film industry,' says Ramadesikan. Plans on to restart an old initiative In 2015, a clutch of old students from the 1975-1981 batch of Madras Medical College started 'MMC Batch of 1975 Trust' to free economically disadvantaged students of financial worries as they pursue their medical education. The trust, which has Dr. N.V. Arulmozhivarman as managing trustee, has so far provided 15 students with financial assistance from the first to the final year of their medical course. Doctors V. K. Ramadesikan, Shantha Ravisankar, G. Kumaramanickavel and Vasantha Jayaram are the member trustees. 'A card given to students when they joined college would mention their parents' occupation. We would identify the most deserving students and fund all their expenses during their medical programme including tuition fee,' says Dr. V. K. Ramadesikan, who retired from the Department of Biochemistry, MMC in 2016. Every year, five students were identified and helped to complete their studies. 'We spent an average of ₹55,000 on a student for a year,' he says, adding that Dr. Sudha Seshayyan, who was his colleague, also helped get names of deserving students. The initiative ran for three batches, and lost the initial momentum as the team struggled to find students. 'During this reunion, we will discuss how this initiative could be restarted,' says Dr. Ramadesikan, adding that 70 batchmates from various geographies across India and abroad are expected to participate in the two-day meet being held in Chennai on August 10 at the college campus. The meetup will be followed by a trip to Yercaud. The meetup promises to be a union of doctors who have made significant contributions in fields of medicine, medical education, research and healthcare over the last five decades. The 1975 batch has 161 students and 19 of them passed away.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Services of Dr. B.C. Roy recalled at Doctors' Day celebrations
The speakers at the National Doctors' Day celebrations recalled the contribution of the late Dr BC Roy to the medical profession, his exemplary services to the poor both as a doctor and later as Chief Minister of West Bengal, at a programme organised by Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV) at the Alluri Vignana Kendram here on Tuesday. Doctors' Day is being observed on July 1 in recognition of the services of Dr. Roy, who was born on July 1, 1882, and had passed away on July 1, 1962. He was given the Bharat Ratna in 1950. Popular doctors Dr. S. Prakasa Rao, a former HOD of ENT Department, KGH, and Dr. K. Subba Rao, a former HOD of Gynaecology, KGH, were felicitated on the occasion. Earlier, Dr. Y. Narasinga Rao, who inaugurated the programme, alleged that the State government was shirking its responsibility with its decision to run 10 medical colleges under the PPP mode. The plan was to allocate seats after collecting lakhs of rupees from students in the name of capitation fee, he alleged. PAV State general secretary T. Kameswara Rao demanded implementation of Health Security Act for the six crore people of the State, and to make health a fundamental right. He also sought an end to the plan to privatise medical colleges in the name of 'PPP'. AP Medical and Sales Representatives Union State secretary K.V.P. Chandra Mouli, Visakhapatnam district vice president M.V.R.S. Srikanth also spoke.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
At this Delhi library, how a 68-year-old retiree keeps the magic of reading alive
Every day at 9 am sharp, 68-year-old Nandkishor Rana walks into the Dr B C Roy Memorial Children's Reading Room and Library — a ritual he has followed for 42 years, continuing even after his retirement. 'I retired five years ago as an Assistant Librarian. Par books aur bachhon se pyaar hai isliye aadat jati nahi (But my love for books and children is what draws me back),' he says, sitting on a chair and inserting a steel rod into a shelf to keep a stack of catalogues in line. Rana had joined the library as an Attendant. 'It was my dream job…,' he says. 'As a child, whenever I found time, I would run to the library. Now, I share my experiences with children, who treat me like family.' At a time when screens have replaced books, and children are glued to phones and tablets, Rana keeps the healthy habit of reading intact. There are almost eight other children's libraries across Delhi-NCR. At the B C Roy library — located within the Children's Book Trust (CBT) building at Nehru House — the summer vacations are a huge draw for students, say staff. The library, which boasts of 7,000 members, is a treasure trove of books — from science, literature, short story collections, encyclopaedias — in various languages. Inside, to the left of the entrance, books are neatly arranged on shelves across three aisles. At the centre lies the reading area, furnished with long tables and chairs. The walls throughout the room are adorned with vibrant paintings by children, illustrating themes ranging from climate change to the ISRO mission. The library was founded by renowned political cartoonist, the late K Shankar Pillai, in memory of Bharat Ratna Dr B C Roy, who was a physician, educationist and statesman. It was inaugurated on November 12, 1967. Over the past four decades, Rana says he has witnessed how reading habits have evolved among the younger generation — many now prefer foreign authors. 'We have authors from across the world. But during my time, it was limited to Champak and Balbharti…' He also laments the general decline in reading. 'In my early years here, children would throng the library in large numbers and we used to screen movies… There used to be a big projector… we had even telecast the 1982 Asian Games… Now, parents bring their children to the library occasionally… I tell them, 'don't take membership if you're not going to come for six months'.' 'Children also stopped reading during the pandemic… it is visible now,' he adds, flipping through the pages of an encyclopedia, which, he says, has been replaced by phones. Even so, some find time to bring their children to the library. And it is on Sundays that the space comes alive. Sitting at a table is a family of three — a young boy, his mother, and his grandmother from Sonipat. 'We have been coming here for a month now,' says the mother who did not wish to be named. She is reading a story called 'The Black Clouds' to her four-and-a-half-year-old child. 'I got to know about this library from my mentor, who used to bring their children here,' she says. A professor at a university, she grew up reading Pinky, a Japanese fashion magazine, and the Chacha Chaudhary comic book series. 'I did read Chacha Chaudhary to my son, but then I realised it is not meant for children. There is a Champak collection in the library, which we reissue every time,' she says, laughing at how it has been a marathon reading session since morning. 'My son had to return the books we previously issued today, so we have been reading all day…' Next to them, the grandmother is glued to chapter three of a book titled 'Tell Me Why.' 'What is the difference between an autopsy and a post-mortem,' she asks out loud.' She dreams of being a contestant on Kaun Banega Crorepati one day. 'So many new things have been added — I need to stay updated,' she says. Looking at the trio, Rana is reminded of his most cherished memory — former members now bringing their own children to join the library. 'A few days ago, a doctor who works at AIIMS, who was with his child, came up to me and said, 'Pehchana kya? (Do you remember me?)'. It made me so happy — to know that my children still recognise me, and that this library has played a part in shaping their future and helping them reach where they are today,' he says with a broad smile. Nearby are a couple, Atul and Amrita, who have brought along their five-year-old twins. They hope to shift their children's focus from screens to books and instill a habit of reading. 'Our children are yet to learn the alphabet or numbers, but they speak short English sentences. We bring them here to try and ration their screen time,' says Atul. 'I'm really glad that a library like this exists for children. There are other libraries too, but they don't have a space to sit and read,' Amrita says, picking up a stack of chosen books. Also at the library is a Class VI student from Nizamuddin Basti — he wants to improve his vocabulary. 'I love (books by) Ruskin Bond and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I'm cultivating the habit of reading,' he says. Since the library's inception, CBT has been publishing a monthly magazine called Children's World. It invites children to contribute poems, stories, features, and artwork, while adults can submit stories and features. Geeta Menon, editor of the magazine, says the pieces submitted by the children have undergone a sea change. 'Earlier, we used to get long poems… now it's hardly 10 sentences — there is no patience left in children anymore,' she sighs. 'But we see a lot of new people becoming members during the summer vacations, since the child is free and parents make time to accompany them. Children also get projects and extra-curricular reading, and they come to the library because it has reference books to help them,' she adds. Back at the registration desk, Rana is busy counselling a new visitor. 'Get a membership for your child only if you want to come here regularly,' he smiles.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Blood donation camps, senior doctors' felicitations to mark Doctor's Day today
Nagpur: As the nation gears up to celebrate National Doctors' Day on July 1, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Nagpur branch, has announced an elaborate programme to honour the dedication and service of the medical fraternity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event will be held at the IMA Hall, North Ambazari Road, on Tuesday at 4pm. The day, observed annually in memory of Bharat Ratna Dr BC Roy, commemorates the birth and death anniversary of the legendary physician and serves as a reminder of the vital role doctors play in society. The highlight of the celebrations will be the felicitation of several senior doctors from Nagpur for their exemplary contributions to the medical profession and social welfare. Those to be honoured include Dr Prashant Rahate, IAP national president Dr Vasant Khalatkar, Dr Chandrashekhar Gillurkar, Dr Mahendra Sawarkar, Dr Harish Chandak, Dr Pratibha Dawande, Dr Mala Kamble, Dr Rafat Khan, Dr Vithalrao Dandge and Dr Harish Kedia. In addition to medical professionals, individuals from other fields who have contributed to community welfare will also be recognised. Dinesh Tekade, senior journalist with Nav Bharat, and Kavita Isarkar, police inspector, will be felicitated for their services. Commissioner of police Ravinder Singal will preside over the felicitation ceremony as chief guest. Dr Ravi Chavan, dean of IGGMC, Nagpur, will be the guest of honour, while Dr Milind Naik, past national vice president of IMA, will serve as the presiding officer. Adding a familial touch to the event, meritorious children of IMA members will also be felicitated for their achievements in academics, cultural pursuits, and sports. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To underscore the spirit of service and community health, IMA Nagpur, has also organised a blood donation camp. Dr Rajesh Sawarbandhe, president, and Dr Jitendra Sahu, honorary secretary of IMA Nagpur, have extended a warm invitation to all members and their families to participate in the event and make it a memorable celebration of the medical profession's dedication and service. Donate Blood Today 9am to 12pm: IMA Hall, North Ambazari Road; camp organised by IMA 4pm to 8pm: VR Mall, Medical Square; camp organised by VAPM, GMCH, and Zep Group
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
A day to thank doctors for their social work, says CM Yogi
Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated doctors on the occasion of National Doctors Day and extended his best wishes to them. The CM said that National Doctors Day is celebrated on July 1 to mark the birth anniversary and death anniversary of Dr BC Roy, a renowned doctor, freedom fighter, and politician. He was born on July 1, 1882, and passed away on the same date in 1962. "Doctors play an important role in maintaining the health system in the country. Everyone is aware of their contribution to nation-building" the CM said. Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated doctors on the occasion of National Doctors Day and extended his best wishes to them. The CM said that National Doctors Day is celebrated on July 1 to mark the birth anniversary and death anniversary of Dr BC Roy, a renowned doctor, freedom fighter, and politician. He was born on July 1, 1882, and passed away on the same date in 1962. "Doctors play an important role in maintaining the health system in the country. Everyone is aware of their contribution to nation-building" the CM said.
