I am pasting the first of the mails that my friend sent me:
Dear Shivkumar,
There is definitely nothing flawed in your POV.But there are certain other points of view which
I want you to consider. I will write randomly -excuse that.
In-between Dayama had read in a journal, that in today's information age, even the doctors from
the developing countries get exposed to the latest in medical care. The cream of the country
manages to get aware of the very best in it. Then they find the gap between what they know, and the
scenario in their country's medical practice to be too big. And so they decide to go abroad and
be a part of the very best and sensible medical practice. Though nothing wrong, but because of
this the developing countries are losing all their cream to the developed world. Rather than
the developed supporting the developing , the developing are supporting the developed , by
providing the best of their manpower!! And as a consequence , the developing countries don't seem
to be making progress towards efficient medical practice , at any significant pace. One of the
conclusions of the article was -- so we should stop educating the medical students of developing
countries about things that are beyond , what can be implemented in recent present. Of course, I
disagree with this conclusion. But what do you think about this issue? What is the solution?
Isnt this brain drain bad for our country?
ofcourse there is madness in India and things are simply pathetic. Sanjeevani, recently left her
job as a MO after 3 months after becoming terrifically frustrated. The staff over there
used to come in nighty! And sometimes her hubby dear would come and ask ," Madam, is it must for
her to come. She is making food at present"? :-)
Not denying it. Things are far far from ideal. But how will things improve , if even those few ,
who continue to harbour a passion for an ideal practice , leave the show. Hearing Apte sir was
such a big treat. There was so much dynamism and optimism in his voice. I am sure, that the
scenario of hemat practice in Pune must have received a huge transformation because of him.
Good doctors need to make India their place of worship, not because they will get an ideal
setup; but because there is no ideal set up; and because there is a need of creating one. the
things which motivate you are : ( when you see any form of exciting work you want to join in.
Jo bhi karna hai I want to do something thats really good.. Its like if you want to do Psy and
if U are doing it at NIMHANS you are assured of something substantial.) Wouldn't being a pioneer,
and setting up one ideal practice , be a very exciting and challenging job? Being good where
everyone around you is good, is fine. But isnt it more worthwhile to become good in India and prove
that its possible. Its not necessary for us to become a part of a bad set up. Luckily, in BJ we
were exposed to a couple of near- ideal set ups and we have an assurance, that though difficult
-- its possible. Just that its very difficult, risky, and probability of success in an
unsupportive environment is very less. Yes, being there - these uncertainties wont be there. It
would quite certainly ensure that you will successfully be a part of something meaningful.
But one thing is there, if you wouldnt be there, somebody else would take your place and the show
will go on. But over here, a system is not in place . and so success or failure is determined
by the quality of the person. Jamkhed exists because Dr. Arole exists. IMR in Gadchiroli has
dropeed by 100!! because Dr. Abhay Bang exists. I have not seen someone so strong academically and
yet so well read about general issues also.
Another point to be considered is. As Dr. Arole said, " Repairing cleft palates is an important need and requires great skill. Someone doing it is doing a great service. But in our country where lakhs are dying due to diarrhoea, how smart it is to busy yourself with repairing cleft palates?" Yes poor also get cleft palates . its just about prioritising and not grumbling that the work one is expected to do is below par. If we have been educated beyond the needs of our circumstances, that should act as a disqualification. It should just help us do develop a good distant vision.This can be applicable in technical issues and in non- technical issues as well. i.e. if the circumstances I have to address, demand that I have to spend a large amount of time in addressing non- medical issues as well - then I have no other option. What is more important, what I enjoy in giving or what is the need of the day? Abhay Bang had said in US, " YOu are busy inventing microchips for your foreign bosses and earning them patents. But when would you do research about how to make the wheel of a bullock cart light? How can the water of a well be drawn out comfortably, who will do research over that? How to wipe the mucus secretions of an infant , without damaging his tender nose, when will you do this research? There are little little problems , but i f we can figure out creative solutions to them, then it would go a long way in making the life in Indian villages, more pleasurable." I don't expect you to work in villages only. Establishing good practice in Indian towns, is also a big need of the day. Most consultants charge 600-700 for just saying "hi, god morning. how do you do?" When will this scenario change? When will patient-interest be the focus of the show, in India also? When will each accident victim's relatives, be counselled about organ donation in India also?
I very well know that what has drawn you there is not money, but that desire to excel. And that is
what hurts me more. I cant see my country lose you. There are so few quality workers in India!!
What was the calibre of some of the HOUs, in a reputed college like B.J.? I am in no position of
authority and I am making no offers or suggestions. I myself don't know the road ahead.
I also know only this much as of now, "jo bhi karna hai acha karna hai". I am not saying that
I will surely be there with you to help you.( though I will try my level best to work with you
if need be). But still I request you to spend your life for your motherland. If you cant see a
way how, there will be many who can help you chalk out a way ahead. Though few, still that are
enough number of people who are trying to change the way things are in India. they will guide you.
Things surely wont be very rosy and easy; but I feel you will be able to make it happen. Its more
difficult and cumbersome than practicing or doing research abroad. But lets try. The AIDS epidemic
is staring bang on India's face. lets lend a hand in fighting it.
If you plan to return to India after doing the course, then all above arguments stand cancelled
. But then my question remains - if you want to work in India, is it really necessary to go
there? Isn't all the info available on net? If you do a course out there, wouldn't you find it
impossible to find a work of your standard out here afterwards. I know that many people who have
changed the state of things in India, have 1st got educated themselves outside. but in today's
age, is that a must?
I have written freely as a friend. I know there are many factors, which have to be considered
while taking decisions. This was just 1 angle.Let me know about what other angles you are
considering.
There is definitely nothing flawed in your POV.But there are certain other points of view which
I want you to consider. I will write randomly -excuse that.
In-between Dayama had read in a journal, that in today's information age, even the doctors from
the developing countries get exposed to the latest in medical care. The cream of the country
manages to get aware of the very best in it. Then they find the gap between what they know, and the
scenario in their country's medical practice to be too big. And so they decide to go abroad and
be a part of the very best and sensible medical practice. Though nothing wrong, but because of
this the developing countries are losing all their cream to the developed world. Rather than
the developed supporting the developing , the developing are supporting the developed , by
providing the best of their manpower!! And as a consequence , the developing countries don't seem
to be making progress towards efficient medical practice , at any significant pace. One of the
conclusions of the article was -- so we should stop educating the medical students of developing
countries about things that are beyond , what can be implemented in recent present. Of course, I
disagree with this conclusion. But what do you think about this issue? What is the solution?
Isnt this brain drain bad for our country?
ofcourse there is madness in India and things are simply pathetic. Sanjeevani, recently left her
job as a MO after 3 months after becoming terrifically frustrated. The staff over there
used to come in nighty! And sometimes her hubby dear would come and ask ," Madam, is it must for
her to come. She is making food at present"? :-)
Not denying it. Things are far far from ideal. But how will things improve , if even those few ,
who continue to harbour a passion for an ideal practice , leave the show. Hearing Apte sir was
such a big treat. There was so much dynamism and optimism in his voice. I am sure, that the
scenario of hemat practice in Pune must have received a huge transformation because of him.
Good doctors need to make India their place of worship, not because they will get an ideal
setup; but because there is no ideal set up; and because there is a need of creating one. the
things which motivate you are : ( when you see any form of exciting work you want to join in.
Jo bhi karna hai I want to do something thats really good.. Its like if you want to do Psy and
if U are doing it at NIMHANS you are assured of something substantial.) Wouldn't being a pioneer,
and setting up one ideal practice , be a very exciting and challenging job? Being good where
everyone around you is good, is fine. But isnt it more worthwhile to become good in India and prove
that its possible. Its not necessary for us to become a part of a bad set up. Luckily, in BJ we
were exposed to a couple of near- ideal set ups and we have an assurance, that though difficult
-- its possible. Just that its very difficult, risky, and probability of success in an
unsupportive environment is very less. Yes, being there - these uncertainties wont be there. It
would quite certainly ensure that you will successfully be a part of something meaningful.
But one thing is there, if you wouldnt be there, somebody else would take your place and the show
will go on. But over here, a system is not in place . and so success or failure is determined
by the quality of the person. Jamkhed exists because Dr. Arole exists. IMR in Gadchiroli has
dropeed by 100!! because Dr. Abhay Bang exists. I have not seen someone so strong academically and
yet so well read about general issues also.
Another point to be considered is. As Dr. Arole said, " Repairing cleft palates is an important need and requires great skill. Someone doing it is doing a great service. But in our country where lakhs are dying due to diarrhoea, how smart it is to busy yourself with repairing cleft palates?" Yes poor also get cleft palates . its just about prioritising and not grumbling that the work one is expected to do is below par. If we have been educated beyond the needs of our circumstances, that should act as a disqualification. It should just help us do develop a good distant vision.This can be applicable in technical issues and in non- technical issues as well. i.e. if the circumstances I have to address, demand that I have to spend a large amount of time in addressing non- medical issues as well - then I have no other option. What is more important, what I enjoy in giving or what is the need of the day? Abhay Bang had said in US, " YOu are busy inventing microchips for your foreign bosses and earning them patents. But when would you do research about how to make the wheel of a bullock cart light? How can the water of a well be drawn out comfortably, who will do research over that? How to wipe the mucus secretions of an infant , without damaging his tender nose, when will you do this research? There are little little problems , but i f we can figure out creative solutions to them, then it would go a long way in making the life in Indian villages, more pleasurable." I don't expect you to work in villages only. Establishing good practice in Indian towns, is also a big need of the day. Most consultants charge 600-700 for just saying "hi, god morning. how do you do?" When will this scenario change? When will patient-interest be the focus of the show, in India also? When will each accident victim's relatives, be counselled about organ donation in India also?
I very well know that what has drawn you there is not money, but that desire to excel. And that is
what hurts me more. I cant see my country lose you. There are so few quality workers in India!!
What was the calibre of some of the HOUs, in a reputed college like B.J.? I am in no position of
authority and I am making no offers or suggestions. I myself don't know the road ahead.
I also know only this much as of now, "jo bhi karna hai acha karna hai". I am not saying that
I will surely be there with you to help you.( though I will try my level best to work with you
if need be). But still I request you to spend your life for your motherland. If you cant see a
way how, there will be many who can help you chalk out a way ahead. Though few, still that are
enough number of people who are trying to change the way things are in India. they will guide you.
Things surely wont be very rosy and easy; but I feel you will be able to make it happen. Its more
difficult and cumbersome than practicing or doing research abroad. But lets try. The AIDS epidemic
is staring bang on India's face. lets lend a hand in fighting it.
If you plan to return to India after doing the course, then all above arguments stand cancelled
. But then my question remains - if you want to work in India, is it really necessary to go
there? Isn't all the info available on net? If you do a course out there, wouldn't you find it
impossible to find a work of your standard out here afterwards. I know that many people who have
changed the state of things in India, have 1st got educated themselves outside. but in today's
age, is that a must?
I have written freely as a friend. I know there are many factors, which have to be considered
while taking decisions. This was just 1 angle.Let me know about what other angles you are
considering.
1 comment:
Your friend makes a very good point. I had the same questions a couple of years back, when we had to make a decision on my green card. The factors that I considered were
- By staying in India, I would be adding to the capital of the country. Definitely not the intellectual capital(atleast not in any significant way), but definitely the economic capital.
- Why is economic strength important? It frees you to make big decisions like choice of carerr and allows entrepreneurial insticts to flourish. I really believe that it is too late for my generation, but the next generation in India will do wonders, provided our politicians haven't totally wrecked the country by then.
- Career wise, I agree that the US is a complete meritocracy and there are no limits for true brilliance. But what if you're just average? I don't think the scenario is that bright for the average Indian guy in the US.
This and a few other personal reasons were the drivers behind my decision. But, I feel that each individual is different and your priorities and aspirations are much different. Whatever path you take, I am sure you will do extraordinary things in the years to come.
Post a Comment