A Renowned Laparoscopic And Bariatric Surgeon From India.
©Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker Over the past week, I have been trying to figure out what is my real issue with the recent statement made by L&T Chairman, Mr. S. N. Subrahmanyan, proposing a 90-hour workweek. It’s not just him; similar sentiments were voiced by …
THE POWER OF A COMMON MAN ©Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker My husband and I have always divided our household chores equally. If I order vegetables, he orders the fruits. If our cook doesn’t show up, either one of us can step in to cook. If …
©Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker
As we step into 2025, a quarter of this century has already passed. It’s fascinating to reflect on the world of 1925, a hundred years ago, and to imagine what it might look like a hundred years ahead, in 2125. We are but travellers on the infinite road of time, covering a brief stretch before passing the baton to the next. Life in this universe, in its essence, is like a relay race—each generation carries the baton for a while before handing it over to the next, ensuring the journey continues.
And yet, in this grand relay, we often overestimate our importance. At most, we remember those who handed us the baton—perhaps one or two generations before us. But beyond that, the faces and names fade into obscurity, and eventually, all of us will be forgotten, our footprints washed away by the endless tides of time.
In our eagerness to sprint ahead, we sometimes miss the beauty around us—the vibrant moments, the connections, the simple joys that line the path we are traveling. We run so fast, striving for purpose, recognition, or legacy, that we tire ourselves out, forgetting that the race is eventually a relay and isn’t ours alone to finish.
This tendency to overestimate our role, to focus solely on forward motion, is uniquely human. Other living beings don’t run this race of overthinking; they simply exist, savouring the world around them. Whether this is a blessing or a curse depends on how we approach it. While it can inspire progress, purpose, and meaning, it can just as easily lead to stress and dissatisfaction. Perhaps the key lies in finding harmony—learning to embrace our unique drive while also taking the time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the journey.
As the new year begins, let’s resolve to run differently—not just for speed or significance but with awareness, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for the journey itself. After all, the baton will eventually be passed, whether we like it or not. Let’s ensure that while we hold it, we cherish the view and make the run worthwhile.
Here’s to a year of mindful traveling through life. Happy New Year!
Beyond the prescription ©Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker I’ve always enjoyed talking to my patients, and as much as I love surgery, I truly cherish my time in the OPD. However, the time available in the OPD is limited, and we need to cover a lot …
KEEP THE FAITH Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker Last week marked my son’s 11th birthday! We celebrated this milestone with an unforgettable family getaway in Goa. I was hoping to avoid the usual pressure of organizing a birthday party and the works…. (that plan kind of …
रेप तो हर जगह होता है
©डॉ. अपर्णा गोविल भास्कर
कुछ लोग कहते हैं, क्या हुआ जो एक डॉक्टर का रेप हुआ, रेप तो हर जगह होता है,
कभी रात के अंधेरे में , तो कभी भरी दुपहरी में,
कभी सुनसान सड़कों पे, तो कभी भरे बाज़ार में,
कभी एक जवान लड़की का, कभी एक छोटी बच्ची का तो कभी एक बूढ़ी औरत का,
कभी शहर में तो कभी गाँव में; कभी घर के बाहर, तो कभी घर के अंदर,
कभी ऑफिस में, कभी स्कूल में, और अब तो ये अस्पताल में भी होता है,
कभी अनजान दरिंदे होते हैं, तो कभी कुछ अपने ही कर देते हैं।
कुछ लोग कहते हैं, क्या हुआ जो एक डॉक्टर का रेप हुआ, रेप तो हर जगह होता है।
कहते हैं, ज़रूर लड़की की ही गलती होगी; छोटी स्कर्ट या क़मीज़ पहनी होगी,
रात को अकेले क्यों घूम रही थी; लाइब्रेरी में क्यों देर रात पढ़ रही थी,
क्यों किसी के साथ नहीं चल रही थी; क्यों लड़कों पे विश्वास कर रही थी।
कुछ लोग कहते हैं, क्या हुआ जो एक डॉक्टर का रेप हुआ, रेप तो हर जगह होता है।
सुना नहीं आपने? रेप एक ‘स्ट्रे इन्सिडेंट’ है, जो कहीं भी हो सकता है,
डाल लीजिए अब इसकी आदत, क्योंकि आज कोलकाता, कल दिल्ली और परसों मुंबई में हुआ था,
कल कहीं और होगा, क्योंकि ये तो हर जगह होता है, हर रोज़ होता है,
रेप से ख़ानदान का ही नहीं, अब देश का नाम खराब होता है।
कुछ लोग कहते हैं, क्या हुआ जो एक डॉक्टर का रेप हुआ, रेप तो हर जगह होता है।
सालों लग जाएंगे, पर रेपिस्ट शायद ही पकड़े जाएंगे,
लड़की के माँ-बाप रोते रह जाएंगे, सोचते रह जाएंगे, खुद को कोसते रह जाएंगे,
लेकिन दोस्त ये याद रखना, कल हमारे बच्चे भी इसी सोसाइटी में आएंगे,
अगर आज हम चुप रह जाएंगे, तो कल शायद हमारे दिल भी टूट जाएंगे।
इसलिए पूछो आज उन लोगों से जो ये कहते हैं, क्या हुआ जो एक डॉक्टर का रेप हुआ, रेप तो हर जगह होता है,
क्या करते आप जो आपके घर में ये होता? क्या करते आप जो आपकी होती वो बेटी, बहन या पत्नी?
क्या करते आप अगर ये आप पे गुज़री होती?
रेप तो हर जगह होता है, पर सर ये हर बार पर्सनल होता है।
©Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker This morning, as our honourable Prime Minister hoisted the Indian flag at the Red Fort in celebration of the 78th Independence Day, the celebration felt hollow for nearly half of this country’s population which is constituted by women. What we feel …
©Dr. Aparna Govil Basker It’s my regular bed time routine to scroll through some Insta reels before I crash for the night. I usually love watching commencement speeches and sometimes some other stuff like stand-up comedy etc. It is good to end the day on …
©️Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker
One of the most powerful stories that Homo Sapiens have passed on from generation to generation over thousands of years, is the story of “hope”. “Hope” is our true super-power. Hope can work miracles. Without “hope”… well… everything will be … “hopeless”…(no prize for guessing that)!
Hope is unique to our species. No other animal can boast of being able to feel this magical emotion. Human children are born brimming with hope. One just needs to look into those innocent eyes to feel it. However, with time, this reservoir of hope starts diminishing. As we grow up, few of us become childishly optimistic, some lean towards realism and many turn a tad pessimistic.
Like in everything else, “hope” is a very important ingredient in the potion of healing too. It is a lifesaving elixir for the patient and serves as a vital anchor for the anxious family members. It is no secret that patients who lose hope have poorer outcomes as compared to those who do not. A lot has been written about the role of “hope” in ailing patients and their families, however not much has been said about the significance of “hope” in doctors. It is simply assumed the doctors are the most “hopeful” of all adult humans. Can you imagine a doctor who is “not hopeful”?
As doctors, we start our professional careers by training on dead people (That’s not very high on hope score!). By the time we complete our medical training, we have already seen more sickness and death than any normal human would in their entire lifetime. We frequently witness the fragility of life and very often have to bow down to the forces of nature. Yet, as paradoxical as it seems, we have to dispense “hope” in every prescription that we write.
Does the reservoir of “hope” diminish in doctors as they age or does it increase? This is a million-dollar question. Doctors are like old wine. They are said to get better with age and experience. As years pass by, we see that many more people live through their sicknesses and regain their health, as compared to those who enter the doors of a mortuary. We come across many patients who defy all odds and overcome the worst of diseases. And though we spend a lot of time studying complications, we all know that complications are rare and rare things happen rarely. Thanks to advances in medical science, today most people are living twice as long as they were living a hundred years ago. Not only are they living longer, they are living healthier and looking better too. There is every reason to be hopeful.
However, the true measure of hope for a doctor lies in how they navigate challenging situations. Every healthcare professional encounters difficult cases at some point in their career. These could encompass complex medical scenarios, cases with uncertain prognosis, difficult decision making, ethical dilemmas, emotionally charged relatives, legal threats etc.
We can never have all the answers when it comes to complex case scenarios, but years of experience engrave subtle patterns in our minds, aiding us in anticipating the clinical trajectory of a specific patient. Our minds weave together a tapestry of various stories and clinical situations, forming a powerful network of interconnected experiences and insights that significantly enhance our clinical ability. Many times, we are not able to pinpoint the exact pathology, but these interwoven stories serve as valuable reference points, enabling us to recognize patterns, identify key indicators, and make informed decisions in patient care. So, when an experienced doctor exudes hope, it signifies a profound understanding and confidence rooted in years of experience and learning. Hope is not just an abstract emotion in medicine, hope is entrenched in a blend of evidence and experience.
Sometimes the inability to achieve desired results despite best efforts can lead to feelings of frustration and failure. At times, coping with their own emotions can be quite overwhelming for doctors and the idea of “hope” can feel very elusive. Well, doctors are human too and can be as emotional and vulnerable as everyone else. Also, though the doctor patient relationship is often gratifying, the weight of responsibility always lies on the doctor’s shoulders and it can become a tad burdensome at times. At such times, just like we write prescriptions of “hope” for our patients, we need to understand the value of rejuvenating ourselves also from time to time. We also need to understand that battles are never won by lone warriors, it usually takes an army to defeat the enemy. On days when our “hope” reservoir is running low it makes perfect sense to take a break and let someone else take charge.
In the realm of medicine, hope emerges as a vital thread. Despite the challenges doctors continue to dispense hope, navigating through complexities with resilience and compassion. Empowered by knowledge and years of experience, hope transcends being merely a destination; and becomes a continual journey shared by patients and healers alike.