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.”