Wednesday, June 27, 2018

A star - Dr. Tarachandra

















                                              
                                                   Dr Tarachandra & Dr.(Mrs) S. Tarachandra
                                                  King Edward VII T.B.Hospital
                                              Bhowali Sanatorium, Distt. Nainital

                                                   ( He left us in 2005, 27 June.)



The toughest part of life is when a loved one passes on from this life; we miss their physical presence, voice, warmth. It becomes very difficult for us to accept their transition to the next phase.
 But suddenly we realize that the soul still exists, the physical death of the loved one is not the end of the world. It has merely changed the form.

Dad, we all miss you ...........................

Dr Tarachand was born in 1929. He studied at KGMC in the 50s. He did his specialization at CMC Vellore. He was with the Army on a Short Service     Commission for a while.

He was the first thoracic cardiac surgeon in U.P. He worked with Dr Pomeroy and Dr Earnest Sundaram at Clara Swain Mission Hospital at Bareilly from 1956 to 60. He was well known for performing free surgeries for the poor.

He was also a specialist in medicine. He worked at King Edward VII T.B. Sanatorium Bhowali, Nainital from 1960-73.

  

      King Edward The VII, Bhowali Sanatorium...Pic courtesy Kavita Grover.   

Then he worked at T.B. Hospitals in Saharanpur, Kanpur and Faizabad from 1973 -83.
He retired as the director ESI from Kanpur in 1986.

All through his life, he and his wife worked for various charities. He continued to work for charity until the end.



Dr Tara Chandra

I thank Dr Manmohan Singh and his wife Mrs Malti Singh for sending the following information via email. (October 06,2005)

After his intermediate (science) education, Dr Tara Chandra was
admitted to King George Medical College, Lucknow, in the year 1944. Soon
after his MBBS, which he completed with flying colours, he took up short
service commission in Army Medical Core. After his discharge from the Army, he resumed his post-graduate studies at K.G. Medical College, Lucknow, and passed his MD (Medicine).
 Dr Tara Chandra has all through been a good sportsman. He excelled in Hockey and represented in many of the league matches in Uttar Pradesh. 
   After his MD (Medicine) he joined Clara Swain Methodist Mission Hospital, Bareilly, UP.
 As the luck would have it, instead of practising medicine he took up Thoracic Surgery, which he started learning from scratch under the guidance of Dr Parrell in Mission Hospital, Bareilly. Although it was a challenging job, he did it so well that the patients, as well as his colleagues, marvelled his result. He worked in a team with Dr Parrell and Dr.Earnest Sundharam at the Mission Hospital, Bareilly.

He joined the U.P. Medical Services, where he worked for some
time and then posted as Medical Superintendent and Surgeon in K.E. VII TB Sanatorium. Bhowali.

During his second fruitful years of life, he did a lot of good work and service to humanity. Because of his honesty and good work, the local people were not only jealous but sometimes he had a tough time solving the local disputes and union activities of the hospital. He also worked in ESI Corporation and was posted in Kanpur.

Dr Tara Chandra, a medical specialist by education, who turned
out to be an eminent Thoracic Surgeon, was an honest and devoted worker who will be remembered for times to come.

He is survived by his wife, Dr Shanti Tarachandra who is also a
specialist and trained anaesthiest.

He had four daughters and a son, who are all well settled.

Dr Tara Chandra, breathed his last on 26 June 2005, after a brief illness.

This tragedy was aggravated when the aggrieved family got the
news about the sad demise of his son in the U.S.A., which took place a month earlier than his own death.

Dr Tara Chandra was a friend of friends and always eager to
help anybody or everybody, in need.

© Dr Manmohan Singh and Mrs Malti Singh
**************
I thank Nirupama Kapoor for remembering him as a star.......

A Star

Dear Dr Tarachand,

I don’t even know if there are souls. I really hope there are. Perhaps the souls can read all those electronic bits and bytes floating in space.

I am not going to let you die unsung. People don’t die. They live in our memories. I am going to do my level best to ensure that people know you and remember you.

Way back when I was not even born, you were one of the first few intelligent doctors who realized that the major drug companies were dumping untested medicines in the poorer countries and using people as guinea pigs. And you fought against it.

You worked so hard to help people all the time. You were so kind and generous! I know you spent your own money to buy medicines for your poor patients. I have met so many people who remember you as a kind, warm and giving person. People called you Dr Tara or Dr Chandra, the radiant star and the moon.

I know how you fought against corruption. I miss all those discussions about God and people.

No palatial homes, no flashy cars. A fine, strong, honest gentleman who stood firm against injustice and corruption, who worked very hard to help others, that is how I remember you.

Where ever you are; in heaven or a soul being reborn, I hope you are happy and at peace.

Greatest regards,
Nirupama
(October 06,2005)

****************
A poem dedicated to her dad by Kavita Grover (his daughter)


The Last Journey
The train was late and I had time
To reach for a reason “Why?”
Why dear father did I choose
You to be my guide?

The years flashed by –
You helped me walk and wiped my tears
And stood by me and
Never questioned ‘Why?’
The telephone rang, it could not be,
For we had not said ‘Goodbye’
And I had to get the answers
Of my ‘Why?’

I cried and prayed for two whole nights,
You could not leave me
without the final bye.
A tear rolled down from the corner
Of your eye.
And I knew you were again by my side.
To give the answer to my ‘Why?’
And to bid me Goodbye.

“Be true to your highest convictions”.
Was the motto of your life.
The world mocked you and the stones flew by
But you drew your strength
From the shine in your patient’s eye.
Love, humility, forgiveness,
Were the answers your eyes gave
To the questions of my “Why?”

We wept silent tears, knowing it
Was the final ‘Goodbye’
As I held your hand and Thanked you,
I heard the peeling of the bells nearby.
The cape just lifted off me,
And I knew you had flown by.
I found it strange; the hearse man should say
“Will you sit by me?”

I felt the lingering warmth and the softness
Of your hand,
And yet once more I wanted you to open your
eyes and look deep into mine.
“ The candle burned at both ends
And did not last the night.
But oh! My friends and oh! My foes
It left a lovely light.”*1

But once more I cried out in pain.
And felt his presence sitting by my side,
“Look after Moni…”*2
For he too had left without saying Goodbye!
And again a haunting question,
Which started with a “Why?”


* 1 - My father’s eyes were donated to two blind people.
*2 - “ Moni”, Anand was my younger brother who also left us without a final “Goodbye.”

This poem is dedicated to my father, Dr Tarachandra who left us on his final journey on 26 June 2005.

© Kavita Grover “Babni”


Monday, June 25, 2018

Premonitions, the extra sensory perceptions



Premonition or Precognition is a strong feeling of knowing that something is about to happen. Generally, we observe that animals can perceive any mishappening or natural disaster well in advance and it becomes very obvious from their behaviour.

There is no scientific explanation for this but yes they do happen. If animals can sense it then it is evident that humans are also born with this extraordinary sensory awareness system. But very few of us have the power to sense it and develop it.

But if we allow our perceptions to help us they are useful in facing the premonitional experiences. A revelation that something inevitable, is bound to take place and we can only comment that forewarned is forearmed.

These psychic bonds are evident in very close relations… be it friends or relatives. These are not mere coincidences. I have tried to document these experiences and would be sharing them here………….

May 2002, it was extreme summer, dusty… hot winds….temperature rising…. I was at my school and since morning I was tense, restless… didn’t know the reason why? I wanted to go home.

By 12 o’clock I walked up to my boss to ask for permission to go home…. I informed him that I was free in the last 2 periods and I would be grateful if he allowed me to go home early. Amidst all the arguments of why and why not…. I was so upset that I told him to mark me absent for that day or deduct my one day salary but he should allow me to go home. He saw my desperation and gave me permission to go.

In that scorching heat of 45 degrees, I started my scooter and headed towards home, almost 20 km away.

Just before 2 km from home, the terrain was very bad. The road was being constructed…. … dust all around, high winds… poor visibility, but I could see some distance ahead, an accident had taken place.

One scooter was lying in the middle of the road and somebody was injured. He was trying to get up and a small child was hurt and screaming in fear. As I approached the scene, I was appalled to see it was my husband and my little four- year- old daughter.

The contractor building the road had cordoned off the area with a very thin, almost invisible nylon rope with no caution board. At that very moment, another accident took place.

I helped my husband…. picked up my daughter and immediately left for home. The thin nylon rope had grazed a wound around her neck, it was bleeding.

Reaching home I wanted to clean the wound but she was so scared that she wouldn’t let me touch it and kept screaming in pain and fear. So I just picked her up in my arms and stood under the shower to wash off all the grime and dust.

After she calmed down I sat down and sobbed but thanked God for helping me.
*************

Thursday, April 5, 2018

U, Me n Us... LIfe is Beautiful, Be Positive !!!!



I have always felt that we human beings…. u, me and us are here on this planet with some kind of support system. We are not abandoned on this planet. 

Consciously we may not be aware of this fact but if we just analyze any situation we have experienced or endured, it would become evident that either we are lending support to someone; however trivial it may be or it may be the other way round. 

It can be an emotional, financial, moral support but it goes a long way to energize a person. It is not necessary that we go out of our way to show kindness or support, a smile, an encouraging word, a pat on the shoulder, a helping hand in tough times.

I always like to reminisce at the end of the day and often it brings a smile on my face remembering it or the anger at some unjust behaviour of somebody. 

But it confirms my belief that we may be treading on our own paths but we all are not aloof or lonely. We just have to look around and be sensitive to experience it.  I am sharing one such incident …….

One cloudy evening, in Kanpur city at the Mall road...

Darkness was thickening and evening advanced. My car was parked at the roadside while I waited for the street vendor to bring snacks (chat) I had ordered. 

Indian roadside eating joints are not considered a very clean or hygienic but they do serve yummy snacks called ‘chat’.

 Nearby other vendors were providing food to tired, weary daily wage workers. I sat there watching them sitting on the pavement and eating…..

Suddenly a tiny hand knocked on the passenger side window. I turned and saw a little urchin face, I lowered the window and asked him what he wanted?

“I’m hungry”…. uttering these words he moved ahead, not sure of my reaction. I honked the horn but he kept moving. I got out and walked quickly up to him and stopped him.

 I saw a ten-year-old, frail little boy…. Tired, sleepy and a little irritated. “What are you doing here at this time? You should be at home.” I inquired. 

He just looked at me and then took my hand and walked to a shop across the road and said, “I work here. The owner promised to pay my wages today but he did not open the shop. I waited for him for the whole day.” He was visibly irritated and felt betrayed.

 “Right now go home and come tomorrow.” I reacted
“How can I go home? I promised my grandmother to buy the ration. She must be waiting for me and it is now 9 o’clock.” 

On enquiring, he told me there was no one in his family except his grandma, who was too old to work.
“So what do you want from me?” I asked.

“Do you see that vendor in the corner? He serves food.”
 I gave him money but he refused……  “Wait here, I’ll go and ask him how much it will cost, then you can pay.”

What simplicity and honesty…… I was floored by it.

He went up to that vendor. The man looked suspiciously first at him and then at me……. I waved to him assuring that I would pay and moved towards my car.

“Wait, where are you going, let me finish eating otherwise you will think I have taken the money from this man and gone away.”

I was speechless and just sat in my car while he finished eating. After washing his hands he walked up to me and said, “If you doubt me then tomorrow or any other day you can come and see that I work here.”…….

 Hesitatingly he asked, “I can clean your car while you eat chat (snacks).” I firmly refused the generous offer, I don’t like kids working.

“O.K. go home now.”
“No I cannot.”
“Why?” I was taken aback and was a little suspicious. 

“How can I go home ……. You paid for my dinner; maybe somebody else would give me some money, so that I can take something for my grandmother.” 

“God, why do you test such little kids, what misery!!….” I wailed silently. Two innocent eyes, I wanted to wrap my arms around him and give him a tight bear hug.

“How much would that cost?” He looked at me silently, trying to weigh me …..” I think Rs.10/ would do”

I gave him much more than that and warned him to not to waste it. “You still think I would do that? With this amount I can buy one weeks ration.” 

He just touched my hands before running towards a grocery shop which was about to close……

I just sat there looking at him from a distance, saluting his spirit. His twinkling eyes certainly made a big difference in my life. 

He had grown beyond years in a short span of life, burdening the responsibility at such a tender age. Such people are hard to find.

Most of the time we think it as a trivial incident... but No, these are testing times when the invisible power around us is testing us... our intentions. So always be vigilant, nothing happens without a reason... 

Bring a smile in somebody's life, it costs nothing but just a helping hand... mere support to help someone to move ahead in life. Be that support!!

Friday, January 19, 2018

I am, Who I am..



(Post is dedicated to my brother Anand…… lost him in 2005)   

“Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

I thank whatever gods maybe    
for my unconquerable soul…….
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
my head is bloody but unbowed.
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid………
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.


Sums up beautifully, what we become after facing the harsh realities of life……Am sure many more can relate to this. Are u also one of them?

The span of the majority of struggling people’s life has been truly worded here. Life is never a bed of roses…. still, we love life. Treading ahead confidently, learning lessons and laughing at the end of the day.

Folks, it took sixty long years to practically understand the true meaning of this poem. Anybody reading it will definitely comment... “What a dumb wit of a person”

But we are so caught up with the doll drums of life that we just don’t have time to stop n look back or search for answers.


We all face situations, experiences in life which change us for good or break us….. Are you inclined to share it on this platform? I know it is very difficult to open up and come out of your cocoon. Least we can do is to try……..

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Cheer Up !!! Make a Headway Towards New Horizons...

“Daring and courageous have a fan following.... they are the trendsetters. I salute them cuz they dare to dream and to achieve them, they break all the barriers, shackles and cross all the boundaries.”

Well, this truly describes U, Me.. n.. Us…… everyone who tried to live an honest life… persevered … faced life courageously.

After retiring from an active n hectic life of a teacher, when I looked back the realization dawned that it has not been a routine, boring schedule for 35 years but rich in experience….. Fond memories to smile at, all the difficult turbulent times of yesteryears are mere memories 



Mountains surrounding Bhowali......



My carefree childhood was spent in Bhowali Sanatorium, Nainital, a hill station, a famous British settlement in India, where my parents were doctors. Lovely pine forests, chestnut trees, wild animals, orchids growing in wild……What else a child could ask for?


Pine trees


Amidst all the ups n downs and twists n turns life has been interesting and eventful but rich in experiences, lessons learnt….. Surprisingly, I have no bitter feelings for anyone.

My passion for driving, mobile photography, trying to grow plants in water, being a Pencileer (addicted to colour pencils) and the most important of all to be internet savvy…… a beautiful virtual world which has opened a small window to the entire world, surfaced after retirement and life became interesting again.


Mobile Photography
With my Miss Maruti 800


                                                             

Colour pencil sketch- Calla lilies

Believe me, life doesn't stop at retirement. It's a phase of life circle completed and time for a new beginning where we have to pay attention to ourselves... dust our memories and find out what we  always wanted to pursue in life.
                  
Life is complex… complicated… not easily understood but one thing is for sure that everything is destined…. nothing happens by chance. It is all about learning lessons from your experiences to transform you into a better person.

Life is beautiful!!!

But keep learning new things in life. It keeps you mentally and physically young. This is the most important lesson I have learnt in life, it has helped me to meet like-minded people and life again is interesting after retirement.

The reminiscences of yesteryears and the lessons learnt are common in everyone's life but with slight differences. I will share my lessons of life with you all and I am sure you can correlate with them and share yours as well by commenting on the posts.