And the list moves up
by Dr Ira Shah (MD Pediatrics) on 20 Jun 2020
After completing my MBBS, I wanted to take up Pediatrics as a specialization. I was afraid to take Kaka's (Satguru Devendra Ghia) permission for the same. Last time, when I had discussed my career with him, I had given up engineering and take up medicine. I was not ready to have a similar upheaval again. However, I could not take such a step without his permission. Even before I could tell him that I liked pediatrics, he told me that I should take up Pediatrics as a specialization. I was so relieved that at least for once we both agreed on a common thing!! I applied for MD Pediatrics and got it in a BMC hospital in Mumbai. However, I wanted to work in the best children's hospital in Mumbai. To get admission to that hospital, the list of the candidates had to move up by 2 places. The other option was to continue in Grant medical college, JJ Hospital, my alma mater where I did MBBS. For that, I had to apply to the State government quota. When I applied in that list, I was getting Bombay Hospital and for the list to move up, it needed to move up by 1 place. When I spoke to Kaka (Satguru Devendra Ghia) about it, he told me to continue in the BMC hospital where I had got and had faith.
Now I started working in the BMC hospital. I was most frustrated and disappointed. There were a lot of problems between junior and senior residents, the number of patients was less and the harassment was more for the junior doctors. I would call up Kaka (Satguru Devendra Ghia) and cry. He would only tell me to have patience. Pritiben used to come frequently to the hospital and give me a lot of emotional and mental support. The list could move up in a month and if there was no candidate who left it, the list would be stuck there and there. Now, a month was almost over. Last day, last 1/2 hour left and the list moved up by 1 place. What a disappointment!! I was getting another hospital but not the hospital that I wanted. I went to KEM hospital to meet the clerk to give in my resignation. I thought I would try again after six months. But I just did not want to continue in the place where I was. At KEM Hospital, I met the candidate who was on the list before me. She was getting the children's hospital but she did not want to move from where she was working. She asked me if I wanted to exchange places with her and move up 2 places. I was overjoyed but the clerk refused to do that and said it is not possible. She said, we need to meet the dean and only then it can occur. We both went to meet the dean. Luckily, the dean met us without a prior appointment and readily agreed to the exchange. There, I landed up with the hospital of my choice and to think that I was about to give my resignation.
God really tests your patience and faith. The words of SAI BABA rings true - have patience and faith. This is typical Kaka's style (if I may say so). When everything seems to fall apart and there is nothing left to clutch except a few shoots of straws in the drowning water, then he comes to hold your hand, guide you and take you to places unknown full of strength and peace.