A Renowned Laparoscopic And Bariatric Surgeon From India.
Together through every step Seven years ago, Anaya walked into our clinic as a young, bubbly girl. She had struggled with obesity since puberty. She chose to undergo a bariatric surgery in the form of a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and stepped into a new phase …
LOOKING THROUGH THE HOSPITAL CORRIDORS Hospitals are places where life unfolds in its truest forms—birth, healing, pain, and sometimes loss. For most of us working in a hospital, our days are fast paced. They are measured in patient rounds, surgeries, emergencies, clinics, meetings, academics, audits …
This evening, I checked out of a hotel after attending a conference. The check-out counter was super-crowded and the hotel staff looked totally overwhelmed with the sudden rush. Despite their immaculate make up and perfectly draped saris, they looked harrowed and tense. With a frown on their forehead, they gazed so hard into their computer screens, the screens could crack. The stress in the air was palpable. Finally, I checked out and left. During the fifteen minutes’ drive to the airport, my doctor brain kept wondering about the impact of work-related stress in people’s lives.
With this trail of thoughts in my mind as I entered the washroom at T1 airport in Delhi, a pair of bright shiny eyes caught my attention. She greeted me with a warm toothy smile. Not only did she welcome me, but she also cleaned the stall before I entered and even offered to flush it for me as there were some mechanical issues with it. For the next ten minutes she chatted with me and every other lady who walked in, her smile constant and the eyes gleaming.
As a token of my appreciation, I offered her a small tip. “Arre didi, It’s alright! No need for this!” I insisted that she take it, for I did not know how else to thank her. Chances were that I would most likely never meet her again in my life.
As I walked out, I realized, that I had just met a human being who was doing one of the most menial jobs in the world. She probably had bigger personal challenges at home. And yet she did it with a smile on her face and expected nothing in return. The washroom was her sanctuary. She welcomed everyone whole heartedly and made sure it was spotless. It was evident that she found pride and purpose in her work. She was happy and she radiated joy.
We spend much of our lives at work. Yet for many, joy remains elusive — lost in the noise of long hours, office politics, or difficult relationships. We often compartmentalize our existence into “work life,” “family life,” or “social life,” waiting for some perfect day when happiness will finally arrive.
But joy is not a distant destination; it is in every moment. Some people are fortunate enough to find work that they truly love. But most of us can learn to love what we do. When that shift happens, we break free. Every moment — whether at a desk, in a clinic, or even in a crowded washroom — becomes an opportunity to feel alive and at peace.
Then it doesn’t really matter where we work, what role we play, or who our boss is. Joy is not outside; it’s within us. And when it does, it cannot be taken away by circumstances, other people, or the ups and downs of life.
PS: In the journey of life, we sometimes meet people who leave an imprint on our consciousness. I write and share these moments so that they can ripple outward and become part of a larger human experience
©Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker
Soon after we finished the question and answer session in a CME, a doctor came up to me and had a short conversation about weight loss medications. Then he asked me, “Madam, are you a dietitian?” I glanced at my colleague, a brilliant surgeon in …
©️Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker Last week, my son had one of his first serious #publicspeaking assignments at school. As always, he wanted to set a benchmark for himself. With no siblings for comparison, he turned to my husband and me, eager to hear about our …
©Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker
“I am continuously trying, but I feel like I’m constantly failing.”
This was the first thing she said when we started talking about her weight issues. She was a 32-year-old working mother of a 16 months old baby girl, struggling with obesity, exhaustion written all over her face. Every day was a battle between juggling work, home, baby and her own well-being.
Her day started early, rushing through chores before heading to work. She worked long hours, returning home only by 9:30 p.m. By then, her little girl—who had been waiting for her all day—wanted all her mother’s time and attention. And how could a mother say no? She played with her, fed her, and held her until she fell asleep. Then came the household tasks—cleaning up, preparing for the next day, squeezing in a few moments of personal time before finally collapsing into bed, usually around 1 a.m. And the cycle repeated, day after day, month after month.
The weight kept piling on. She desperately wanted to prioritize her health. She knew she needed to exercise, eat better, and get proper sleep. But by the end of the day, there would be no time and energy left. She had tried waking up earlier to fit in a workout, but sheer exhaustion made it impossible. She tried to meal prep, but something always got in the way. Life was like an express train without brakes.
As doctors, we often advice our patients to aim for balance—to have a structured schedule, to eat clean, to work out, to prioritize sleep hygiene, to make time for themselves. But in real life, especially for women who are juggling work, home, and motherhood, is balance truly possible? Advice alone is not enough. What women really need is, tangible support—partners who share responsibilities, workplaces that accommodate their realities, families that step in when needed.
She looked at me, eyes filled with frustration and exhaustion. “I know I need to do better. I want to. But I just don’t know how.”
And I had no perfect answer for her. Because the truth is, she wasn’t failing—she was surviving. Every single day, she showed up, doing her best for her child, her work, and her home. In the process she could not do justice to herself. As doctors, we often find ourselves helpless in bridging the gap between the ideal and the reality of lived experiences.
She didn’t need more advice. She needed reassurance. She needed to hear that she was already doing enough and things will eventually get easier and better. That she wasn’t alone. That her worth was not tied to a number on the scale or the hours spent exercising. Because balance isn’t about perfect schedules—it’s about grace. It’s about finding kindness for yourself in the midst of chaos.
As doctors, we must remember that medicine is not only about prescriptions and protocols—it’s about people. We need more compassion, more acceptance, and a deeper understanding of the lives our patients lead. Because sometimes, healing is not just about more advice—it’s simply letting them know they are seen and heard.
She sighed, stood up, and adjusted the bag on her shoulder. “I’ll try again,” she said softly.
And I hoped that, someday, the world would make it easier for women like her.
#WorkingMoms #StrugglesOfMotherhood #ObesityAwareness #MoreThanWillpower #SupportMatters #BalanceIsHard #HealthBeyondAdvice
Nineteen dietitians! That’s how many my patient had consulted before she walked into my clinic today for a consultation for #weightloss. She had tried everything—calorie counting, portion control, intermittent fasting, medical diets, naturopathy, —only to be met with the same assumptions: She must be eating …
©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 I teach our son math, he takes him for the tennis class. And if I have a challenging day at the hospital, he makes sure to order something nice for dinner. This balance has been the rhythm of our lives for almost two decades.
The other day, I overheard him ordering fruits on the phone. We’ve been getting our fruits from Guddu for over five years. We first became regulars at his small roadside shop, and later, he started delivering fruits directly to our home. He knows our preferences and always brings us the best of the lot. If certain fruits aren’t good that season, he’ll always let us know. Now we don’t even need to check on anything. He is extremely trustworthy and that’s the kind of relationship we’ve shared with him for years.
This time, however, the phone conversation seemed unusually long. After the list of fruits, words like Bajaj, Tata, Reliance, stocks, equity, and investments floated through the air. Curious, I listened for a bit longer and realized my husband wasn’t just ordering fruits—he was giving Guddu investment advice! I must say that this exchange between my white-collar husband and Guddu, our trusted fruit vendor, left me both amused and was deeply thought provoking.
This small interaction left me reflecting on two things. The first was about the relationships we form with people in our extended community. Over time, we had come to trust Guddu with our fruits, and in return, Guddu trusted my husband with his finances and investments. These bonds, built on mutual respect and trust, add so much richness to our lives. They go beyond mere transactions and bring a sense of connection in an increasingly impersonal world.
In today’s age of impersonal and faceless online deliveries, where convenience is king, these human interactions are often lost. While digital apps offer unparalleled efficiency—allowing us to receive groceries and everything else under the sun (from a to z!) at the click of a button—they lack the warmth, trust, and familiarity that come with personal interactions. Every call to Guddu isn’t just about fruits—it’s an opportunity for a meaningful conversation that can inspire and uplift. Such moments of connection reduce loneliness, decrease stress, and bring genuine happiness. In a fast-paced world, they remind us of the joy of slowing down and forming real relationships within our universe.
The second thought was about the evolution of the common man. Here was Guddu, a fruit vendor, discussing stocks and investments with ease. It was inspiring to see how even someone from modest means has an aspiration to secure a better future. Guddu’s aspirations for growth, his awareness of financial tools, and his willingness to seek advice speak volumes about the changing mindset of the common man in India.
He wasn’t just saving money—he was thinking about growing it. This reflects a profound hopefulness, not just for himself but for the next generation. He has no hesitation, no shame in asking for help, and a deep-seated belief in striving for something better. It’s a lesson for all of us: ambition, curiosity, and openness to learning can transform lives.
Guddu gives me hope. He truly embodies the dialogue of Shahrukh Khan—“Don’t underestimate the power of a common man.” He reminds me that the drive to improve, the courage to ask, and the willingness to grow are not limited by one’s circumstances or educational/financial status. It’s this spirit that makes the common man so extraordinary and inspires us all to believe in a better tomorrow.
©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 …