Dreams Vs Reality

"He is here.. He is here!". There was a lot of hush-hush and excitement among all of us, as the best EAMCET rank holder of our campus was coming to give us some tips for the upcoming EAMCET competitive test (medicine stream). It was the most crucial examination that mattered to any BiPC student of the state.

We all were looking at him with awe, wondering how he prepared for the test, what he ate, what he did which made his mind extra sharp, enabling him to bag the top state rank!

“Hello everyone...” he said. Our eyes were still fixed on him, without a single blink. He continued, “Don’t we all think that these competitive exams are the most crucial exams we ever gonna face? The turning points of our life? Once we are through it, then there is nothing which is going to stop us from becoming doctors?? Don’t we all think like this??”

“Yes..” we answered in union. “But we all are wrong here!” the ranker cleared.

There was an expression of surprise over our faces. “EAMCET is just an start, there is still a very long battle for us to fight. We can’t carry on MBBS stream relying on the ranks secured by us in these competitive exams. Only if you are determined enough to pursue this course you can continue in this field, because things take a very different turn from right here!” he concluded.

I was kind of puzzled that time, but only after entering the medical college did I understand what exactly he meant then.

Things are different here, very different. Huge syllabus, the books though simplified by efficient professional still don’t get into our brain after a minimum of  two readings. Just theoretical knowledge is of no great use in medical field, practical experience is what matters here. And as for theory, the books are always available for reference. Without the practical knowledge it’s like we are in middle of a vast ocean, in a boat, knowing everything about the boat, its principle of working, how it is manufactured etc. But we don’t know how to use the oars (the practical part). With the knowledge you have, you very well will be able to move the boat, but there will be no proper speed and orientation of the moving boat. In the same way a person expert in sailing the boat by his many practical efforts, if he completely ignores the theoretical knowledge associated with it, his boat will be moving but only aimless, he doesn’t know what the result of his expedition will be.

There are many occasions when we doubt our own capabilities (at least I do). But the zeal and passion with which we have entered this course keeps us moving. Every person is unique, we all know that. Thus each and every patient is unique with his/her own peculiarities. So regardless of how many cases we encounter, still there is something unknown and new to be discovered with each case.

It’s a strenuous job. No matter how much we give ourselves to this work, still there is lot to be done, many ailments to be treated, many patients to be cared. I don’t think anyone can carry on with this course unless they love their profession. Who are enthusiastic and dare enough to remain in this field even after the failures they encounter and some of the blunders they commit.

When it comes to pay, they say ‘doctors’ are here for public health but not to make their personal wealth! But don’t you think even these people have a family to support. From where do you think they should get the money to buy their princely rated foreign books in order to keep up with the latest advancements and treatment methods of the medical field? After putting in so much effort we just ask for a reasonable pay, for which they react as the present doctors are no longer next to GOD. Man!! Who wants to be a GOD when you still depend on your family for your expenses at the age when our counterparts of other fields earn 5-10 times more! Well this is a never ending topic, I better leave it right here. (I was referring to the stipend of the interns and PGs here)

Coming to family, it is the dream of many parents to see their child wearing the white apron and carrying a stethoscope. Once their kid gets into a medical college, they see their dream turning into reality. But for us it’s still a dream until we finally complete our course (1 + 1½ + 1 + 1 + 1 yrs). That is just for normal MBBS degree, at present PG is must, so 3 more years for that, a total of 8½ yrs for our dreams to become reality.

But these 8yrs the special attention we get from our relatives, friends, acquaintances and the hollow feeling we get even after completing loads and loads of books, turns out to be a passage through hell. I do agree that we medicos get more attention compared to others. I don’t actually like it, but somehow can’t avoid it either. May be it’s because of the position held by this profession in the society, after all it is said to be the ‘noblest’ profession.

Exams are not the real judging factors for the capabilities of any medico (I say this because by just scoring highest marks you don’t become the best doctor). But they do shake off the earth beneath us. Do visit our hostels during exam time to see the heights of tension. :P And the day of results, just like the day I am writing this post, is torturous. Huh! dunno how my results will turn out. But I do know that no matter if I pass or fail, even if I get a good percentage or not... I will never lose my hope, my passion and my zeal of pursuing and completing this course. And last but not the least I have faith in GOD and confidence in myself that someday..sooner or later, I will be a reasonably good doctor. Whose main criteria will be focused on public health (as the wealth department is taken care of by my dad at present and later it will be shifted on to my better half..he has no other option :p)

Wish me luck!! ;) 

Expectations!

So many expectations from so many people. Expectations are nothing but the opportunities we give others to either make us happy or to disappoint us.

However, ever wondered why do we give others so much authority that our happiness or sadness depends on them! Attitude matters here. By the attitude we keep the influence of other people on our life is decided. It is said that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it.

I do not want to include family into this other group of people, because success or failure, angry or sad they are always by our side, at least till the day we move out and live independently. However, that isn’t the case when it comes to the new relations we make out here on this planet. We keep expectations on others in turn make them expect something back from us. In addition, this goes on like a circle with no end. Major reason for ruining our peaceful and happy moments. Everyone is good to you until you expect nothing from them and you are good to them only until you fulfill their expectations!!

Why the hell should we expect anything from others? We are in charge of our own life. We will decide if we want to be happy or sad, angry or calm, moody or stable.

Why should we entirely depend on others to get our things done? We aren’t physically or mentally crimpled, neither is the other person any heavenly body. Taking help is ok, but completely depending on them is pre-planning to get disappointed.

Expectations from exams, situations, occasions. leave the same impact. When the future isn’t under anyone’s control, then its foolishness to build our expectations regarding that.

When we cannot guarantee what we are going to accomplish the very next day, how can we give a guarantee what others are going to do? That too not for themselves but for us!

I do not say that we should never ever have any expectations from others, because that is next to impossible. But we can limit them for the least number possible! A big favor we will do for ourself.Having self-expectations is also very tricky. Expecting things beyond our limits can push us into valley of depression if we fail at it. Expectations are like double-edged knife so not only when dealing with others, we have to be careful even with self-dealings.

So finally, the least expectations you keep on people and this life the happier you will be.

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MAN-IFESTATION

I remember many years back, on the day of my parent’s 14^th wedding anniversary my grandparents were invited home. And that day I had a really special but a bit weird conversation with my grandpa.

So it started with a question put to me by my grandpa, which was something like this – “Did I actually know why I have been born in human form and not like any other form among millions of living creatures present on this planet??” I don’t know what made my grandpa ask such a question to a 12yr old. I did get puzzled hearing that, but I got an answer for that from him a while later. And that reply happened to cut down many questions which I would have had to face in the years to come.

Eat, Sleep and Reproduce. Three basic things required for the survival and existence of any kind of living form. We eat to survive, sleep to survive longer and reproduce so that forms like us continue the same. There isn’t anything unusual or special with these three processes, even the tiniest living creature you find any were around you will be carrying out this without their own knowledge. Then my grandpa asked is the human life really required when all you do is..eat..sleep!!You can even be a dog, rat, frog or even bacteria in that case.

Human life is to manifest our very own existence. We need to do something beyond the usual life functions. Man has been gifted with the most intelligent brain ever, with power of reasoning and discrimination. Our life should be worth of something..

We don’t  make our life great. None can actually do that. It’s just the normal things we do, which if good enough turn out to be known as something near to great.

Life isn’t just about surviving, it’s about living..and living your way. And your way here means nothing irrational but execution of humanity in the best possible way by us.

Doing things for self isn’t astray, but what life will that be when you look back and what you find is just you. What’s living when you weren’t the reason even for a single smile on other’s face. Doing something for our fellow beings, fellow creatures, fellow living forms, our country, our planet… gives some kind of immense satisfaction and it’s the real thing which gives meaning to our existence.

I was able to recollect those points very randomly. You may find it a bit messy, but it did affect my way of living. Removing barriers for my thoughts, concern, love…

And as I already said we are not here to make or do anything great. It’s just that when things are done with best effort and good intentions they automatically find a place in the outstanding deed list. The satisfaction which it brings along can even leave the noble prize or any such other award way behind.

And I don’t think there is anything wrong in giving meaning to our existence, at least trying for it...

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Republic Day.

26th January..just like every other year, the whole nation celebrated the day our country became a 'REPUBLIC'. The reason and importance of celebrating this day may be forgotten (by many people like me) along with the school history text books we read.

"The present youth isn't dedicated or responsible towards the nation" has become a very common statement we get to hear these days. Even I felt that I belonged to the same genre until last few months back.

 Its altogether a different case when we speak of present youth. We haven't experienced the British slavery, so we don't actually realize the importance these "Independence and Republic" days hold. So its obvious that many of us aren't as enthusiastic about these national festivals as the people of that era are. Its more kind of holiday for most of us!

But this doesn't mean that the love we have for our NATION is less to anyone. We didn't get a chance to participate and experience the national spirit of the Independence era. To come to the point I don't think any Indian may be young, old or just a child will ever step back to give his best for his mother land. Its just that we have to take a proper action at proper time.

Waking up early in the morning and attending the flag hoisting ceremony doesn't itself prove our patriotism, its lot more than that. And not participating in these national festivals doesn't mean we aren't responsible towards our country!Being a bit bindaas does not imply that we are arrogant or that we are not serious about our carriers or our country..These topics are too complex to be judged by looking at few insignificant points.

JAGO INDIA JAGO! :P

P.S I know its way too late to write about republic day..but was busy with other stuff u see..could find some free time only now..and as they say its always better late than never..cheers!! :D

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