A Renowned Laparoscopic And Bariatric Surgeon From India.
The Power of Communication Don’t come to see me again if you do not stop smoking and drinking alcohol! Seven years ago, I had said this to one of my patients. At that time, it came from good intent (and probably a little bit of …
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 and reports. In the middle of all this, it is easy to forget that the people who stand beside us, supporting the system in quiet ways, have their own stories too.
The other day, after finishing a surgery, I happened to overhear one of our support staff members speaking to someone about her married daughter. I was surprised—I had never realized she had a daughter who was already grown up and married. Almost playfully, I asked her if she was soon going to be a grandmother! Her face fell, and with sadness in her voice, she told me that her daughter had recently suffered a miscarriage.
I was taken aback. In that moment, I realized how little we often know about the lives of those who work around us. Even though her thoughts are constantly with her daughter and she grieves quietly, she continues to perform her duties without any fuss. We—the doctors, nurses, and medical teams—are at the forefront. But those who clean the wards, carry supplies, or ensure the smallest of tasks are done, often remain invisible in the system. And yet, they are so important to it—working with dignity while carrying burdens that most of us never see.
That brief exchange was a reminder to me that compassion cannot be limited to patients alone. It has to extend to everyone we encounter in these corridors. Sometimes, all it takes is a pause, a gentle question, or even silent acknowledgment that behind every uniform is a human being with joys, sorrows and unspoken battles.
As carers, we must remember: even carers need care at times. And perhaps the true spirit of healing begins not just in how we treat our patients, but in how we treat each other too.
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 …
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 speaking experiences—searching for something to measure himself against.
Just before leaving, he asked me, “How did you do in your first public speaking assignment as a child?”
That simple question took me down the memory lane, almost 40 years back. I remembered that the first time I went up on the stage in front of the whole school- ‘I Froze’! ……..My mother had put in so much effort—dressing me up in a beautiful outfit, making me rehearse my lines over and over—but in that moment my heart started pounding and my throat tightened. I just stood there, wordless and helpless.
Things didn’t change much as I grew older. Speaking never came naturally. Making conversation was an effort always and in my primary years I still remember being labelled as a boring kid who was no fun. Conversations felt like a chore, and it was no surprise that no one was particularly eager to sit next to me because I barely spoke.
Later, when I moved to Mumbai after high school, I wasn’t fluent in spoken English, but that was no trouble for me at all. Silence was always my comfort zone. I was so at ease with silence that for almost six months, I hardly spoke at all.
….But life has a way of pushing us beyond our safe spaces.
In today’s world, no matter what field you choose, public speaking isn’t optional—it’s essential. As a doctor, I have to teach, deliver lectures, present research at conferences, and speak at public awareness programs. And now, in 2025, making an impact also means stepping onto social media and create content—an idea that, for someone like me, has always felt daunting. I’ve always been camera shy and hated being on video.
My first public lecture as a doctor was nothing short of a disaster—riddled with awkward pauses, filled with “hums” and “ho’s”, and very shaky confidence. It fell flat.
But with every speaking opportunity, I improved—little by little, step by step. Today, I can hold my own on stage and pass as a decent speaker at any meeting. I know that there is still plenty of room to grow (just ask my 11-year-old son, who finds my videos painfully boring). He’s my toughest critic, and he doesn’t hold back! But as compared to before, I’ve evolved, and shed many inhibitions behind.
So, what changed?
It didn’t happen overnight. There was no magical transformation. It was a slow, organic process that unfolded over years.
But the real turning point was finding my own #Authenticity. The day I stopped trying to sound “perfect” and started embracing my own voice was the day everything changed. It didn’t matter if my voice was too soft or if I wasn’t the most polished speaker in the room. When I spoke from the heart, when I truly believed in what I was saying, people stopped noticing the imperfections. They just listened to what I was saying.
And now, as I watch my son step onto his own path, I know he will have his moments of doubt. He will stumble, just as I did. But I also know this—he will find his voice. He will shape his words. And one day, he will stand tall, speak with conviction, and own his space—just like I learned to do.
Because confidence isn’t about never being afraid. It’s about showing up, speaking up, and allowing yourself to grow- bit by bit- into the person you were meant to be.
Cheers!!
©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 …
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 Mr. Narayana Murthy last year. Even our beloved superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has often proclaimed that success demands sacrifice (sleep etc is for lowly mortals). The underlying message seems clear: to achieve greatness, one must be willing to pay the ultimate price.
There is no denying that these individuals are extremely influential figures in their fields. They are overachievers, highly successful, and immensely respected. Their opinions carry a lot of weight. And while much of the world erupted in outrage over Mr. Subrahmanyan’s statement, there is a significant faction of society nodding in agreement, wondering what the whole fuss is about. Some think that the whole conversation about work-life balance and Gen Z (or Gen alpha or beta or whatever you want to call it!) is overrated. Many would agree that staring at your wife for too long could actually make you feel headier and more imbalanced and it may be better to stare at your laptop instead! Some may not even have the luxury of making a choice to have balance in their lives as they struggle to make ends meet and couldn’t care less.
I’d like to address this issue from two perspectives: as a doctor and as a person.
As a doctor who has endured gruelling 40-hour shifts, I speak from experience. A 90-hour workweek translates to working 13-15 hours a day, depending on whether one works six or seven days a week. And we are talking about forever…… For corporate companies, this is a dream—a committed, overworked employee (almost a slave) willing to forgo sleep, health, and personal life for the bottom line. But for individuals, it’s a catastrophic health hazard. It defies everything we’ve learned in medical school and preach in our clinics. On the one hand, we advise people to sleep well, manage stress, eat healthy, and exercise. On the other, these voices of influence are urging people to do the exact opposite. The irony is almost laughable, except it’s not. I am actually wondering if I got it all wrong as a doctor for the last 30 years!
Let’s break it down: prolonged work hours increase the risk of chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Sleep deprivation leads to impaired cognitive function and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Burnout—a term we’ve become all too familiar with—is real and devastating. In fact, the World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon. So, while we’re pushing people to work themselves to exhaustion in the name of success and national progress, we’re simultaneously creating a public health crisis. Isn’t it alarming how frequently we hear nowadays about dynamic, ambitious, and seemingly unstoppable young CEOs succumbing to untimely deaths in their 40s? And these are CEOs. What about the average employee who does not even have a voice or a choice in the system?
Consider where India stands on the global happiness index—a dismal rank of 126 out of 145, already near the bottom, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction and declining mental well-being. Compare this with several Asian economies, such as Japan and South Korea, where long working hours have historically been glorified. These countries have witnessed a dramatic rise in depression rates, suicides, and a significant decline in happiness levels. The correlation between overwork and deteriorating mental health is well-documented, yet we seem intent on repeating the same mistakes. At this rate I am not so sure about the economy but we will definitely touch the bottom of the happiness index in the next few years! Not a goal we should aspire for!
Overworking the young workforce today will only exacerbate health problems, reduce productivity, and strain healthcare systems tomorrow. Sacrificing well-being for short-term economic gains is not just shortsighted—it’s stupid and reckless.
Now, as a person, I can’t help but wonder: what is the purpose of all this sacrifice? What is the definition of success? For every Shah Rukh Khan who glamorizes and glorifies sacrifice, there are countless stories of people who’ve lost their health, relationships, and joy chasing an ever-elusive dream of so called success. What’s the point of a rising GDP if the individuals contributing to it are physically and emotionally broken? As a mother, I can’t help but wonder—what would I truly want for my child? The thought of him growing into high-achieving individual is certainly appealing, but in my heart, I want him to find contentment and happiness above all else.
This brings me to the crux of the matter: the responsibility of dominant voices. When influential figures speak, their words carry power. They inspire, shape opinions, and influence decisions. But with great power comes great responsibility. What you believe personally and what you propagate as a leader are not the same. Personal philosophies can remain just that—personal. However, once you speak publicly, your words take on significant weight and gravitas. Corporate leaders and company owners have considerable influence, and when they share certain views, there’s often an element of power play involved. These are the men (and women) in power. What they say has to be followed (usually) otherwise there is always a fear of being cancelled officially or unofficially.
Statements like “work 90 hours a week” or “success demands sacrifice” are not mere opinions; they set dangerous precedents. They risk normalizing (sometimes idolizing) unhealthy behaviours and creating a culture where overwork is equated with worthiness and tends to bring validation from others. Leaders need to understand that their influence extends far beyond boardrooms and fan clubs. They have the power to inspire positive change or reinforce toxic practices.
So, my plea to those with dominant voices is simple: think before you speak. Understand the impact of your words. Success does not need to come at the cost of health and happiness. Sacrifice is not a badge of honour when it leads to suffering. As leaders, please champion a culture of balance and well-being, because a thriving nation is built not on overworked, burned-out individuals, but on healthy, fulfilled, happy and inspired citizens.
Above all, please don’t be dominating and loud, be kind and considerate.
#WorkLifeBalance #MentalHealthMatters #PublicHealth #SustainableSuccess #HealthyWorkCulture #OverworkIsNotSuccess #SayNoToBurnout #ResponsibleLeadership #ToxicWorkCulture #HappinessOverHustle
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 …