My father wrote back that December 16, 1963, the day the results were to be announced, was auspicious and I need not worry!! On D-day, we were marched into the Boardroom and the Director announced the results – I had topped, with a 142 marks lead over the next person! This exhilaration was only topped by being awarded the Gold Medal by Prime Minister Nehru in the Convocation that followed a few months later, in fact just before his sad demise.
The grind began then. I was wooed by all departments to join them as an intern. I also sat for the qualifying exams to go overseas for my post-grad, and the offers started pouring in from the choicest of schools. For three months each, I did my medical internship in cardiology, in general surgery and the mandatory village posting. This was followed by my House Job, a period when we were given greater responsibility. From doing 10 gynae-obstetric cases a day to endless nights when I’d hover over pre-op and post-op patients to dealing with villagers who came to OPD with buffalos in tow, my life reflected that of every medical student’s… then and now. The silver lining for me was that providentially the bulk of the cases I got - including a large number of children - happened to be cardio-related. Destiny continued to play its hand!
When the time came for my MS, or post grad in surgery, AIIMS made this a 3-year course, while PGI Chandigarh continued with the 2-year format. I sat for their entrance and made it, but kept procrastinating about making the move from Delhi. Six months later, I decided to join up, and they allowed me in with no fresh test, simply on the basis of my credentials. Resultantly, I completed my MS in a year-and-half!!! PGI Chandigarh will always hold a special place for me.
The gruelling study, the nose-to-the-grindstone work, the constant striving to ace it, the delayed rewards… I’ll be honest, when years later it came to my daughter, I was very wary of her undertaking that.
As told to Priya Sarkar(wife)