National Doctors' Day 2022

Inspiring stories of doctors who are part of the Khyaal community.

Dr. Harshida Gohel

“I pursued education from various places as my father moved to different locations due to the nature of his job. I always stood first in whichever school I went to. Back then, we just had two streams to choose from, Science or Arts. People had a very fixed mindset, “zyada percentage aaye to doctor ya warna engineer.” But, I believed in going with the flow and on a fine day I chose to become a doctor.

I completed my MBBS in 1980 and continued with a one-year compulsory internship. After the internship, I just kept climbing every possible ladder in my medical journey. I had also started my own clinic in 1984 but had to shut down in 1987 as I was bearing my first child. In my whole endeavour, I have worked in a  military hospital, health care centres and trustee hospitals. I was blessed to not have many hardships in my career. 

I retired in 2011 at the age of 58, but “muje kaam bohat pasand hai, toh bas karna tha.” I was sure retirement cannot be a reason for me to stop working. I joined a private hospital where I treated heart patients and years later, I began working at Prathama Blood Centre. I have been associated with three institutes and have taken part in blood camps. To date, I have been part of camps held at approximately 14 different places.    

During COVID-19 as well I was very much active and sincere in my profession. I visited people who were in need of medical help, went to nearby homes to give injections and solved queries of people on phone calls. Due to my age (70 years), I avoided visiting COVID patients but I tried my best to render services to the people I could.”

Dr. Aditya Jain

“I began my medical journey with the goal of being a medical college professor. Soon after completing my MBBS in 1970, I started my internship. Months passed by, and my boss there looking at my calibre suggested I should pursue a specialisation in Ophthalmology. I thought a lot about it and finally decided to do it. In 1973, I completed my MS in Ophthalmology and worked in a medical college as a Registrar for 2 years. After that, I worked in a private hospital for a year.  

In a span of one year, I was selected for a government job as an assistant professor. Without a second thought in my mind, I took up that opportunity as I had always wanted to be a professor. I was very happy with my job as I was teaching my students and treating my patients at the same time. Trust me, pursuing Ophthalmology was the best decision ever with no room for regrets.

In 2008, I retired as a HOD from the medical college (govt. job). After retirement, I took up a new job in a private medical college. During my tenure there, I held many training sessions while continuing my practice. After retiring from there in 2017, I got into full-time practice and established my own clinic.  

Many patients came to my clinic on daily basis. I made it a point to think from my patients' point of view and understand their problems closely. My prime objective was to pursue my profession as a doctor and not like a business. I remember once a girl came to my clinic with her fiancee. She just had one eye and in the other a socket without a rudimentary eye since birth. I especially got an eye made for her from abroad and didn’t charge her a single penny. It was just a small wedding gift from my side to her and I had an immense sense of satisfaction from that good deed. Until today the couple visits my clinic along with their children and I do the necessary setups for her eye. 

Now, at the age of 74, I still see my patients and conduct training sessions. Also, I answer people’s queries and share information related to eyes as I receive numerous calls from all over the country. Apart from all that, I am an avid golfer, so I dedicate my morning hours to playing golf and giving time to my vintage car collection.”

Dr. Sudhir Parwani

“I had a wonderful childhood. My father was into a government job, so we travelled to different places in Madhya Pradesh. My parents always dreamt of me becoming a doctor. On the other hand, I never wanted to be a doctor because I always had a feeling that doctors have to study all their life. Eventually, I wanted to become an engineer, but my life had its own plans for me. During that time engineers didn’t have many job opportunities so I was convinced by my parents to opt for the biology branch.

After junior college, I appeared for the National Defence Academic (NDA) exam and also applied for admission to a medical college. I cleared the army exam and at the same time, I was shortlisted for admission to a medical college. In between the dilemma of making a choice from both options, I chose medical college.  

Once I joined the college, slowly I started enjoying my studies and pursued MBBS in 1974. In the year 1979, I completed my Postgraduation and became an eye specialist. For the next 27 years, I served in Choithram Hospital, Indore. Initially, I began as an Honorary consultant there and retired as Head of the department in 2007.

I had done specialisation in Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Diabetic Retinopathy (a disease of the retina in diabetic patients which may cause blindness). I was associated with one of the diabetic institutes, wherein I treated the diabetic patients' eye concerns. Also, I was one of the earlier doctors to address the eye problems of premature babies. 

Every day in my medical journey was a new day with a new challenge. Treated different patients with different complications. I gave my services in many charitable eye camps. In all these walks, my motto was very clear and remained the same throughout that I would give importance to my patients. Now at the age of 69, I treat patients at my clinic and apart from work, I am very fond of sports, travel and music.”

Dr. Rekha Dave

“I wanted to go for MBBS, but looking at the circumstances of home I dropped that idea. Altogether we were 6 brothers and 3 sisters. While our father worked very hard to meet our needs, we on the other hand tried our best to not stress him with any additional demands. I did whatever I could and chose the Ayurveda field. I completed the degree in 1977 and began my internship. Soon after the completion of my internship, I got married.

I was happy to receive a supportive and encouraging family. My husband stood as a strong pillar for me always. After marriage, I worked for 2 years in a private hospital and then took a 2-year break to take care of my son. Later I started my own clinic in 1982, by then I was an expert in Allopathy and Ayurveda. I treated more female patients with pediatric infertility and other problems. Along with the clinic, I conducted several seminars and conferences. 

Then COVID-19 happened, and the whole world was taken aback by its destruction. I kept my clinic open during the crisis. I knew the world needed people like me. I was not scared to treat the COVID patients. I took all the necessary precautions and faced the scenario bravely. If any patient was serious I referred them to the hospitals that could provide proper treatment. Served many patients for free, attended numerous patients on video calls and offered emergency services wherever I could. I was also recognized as a Corona Warrior by the doctor’s association of Surat.”