A UNIQUE AURA
It had been almost six months since Doctor Praveen was posted at Dharampura Primary Health Center. With his service spirit and sweet behavior with patients, he had made a place in the hearts of all the people of the village.
Doctor Praveen had become very close to Master Revati Raman's family. He used to teach English and Science to their children. Often Praveen had to have dinner there.
Even today, after having dinner there, he was chatting with the family members.
In the middle of the conversation, Master Revati Raman said, "Doctor Sahab, I have wanted to ask you something for a long time." "Yes yes, definitely ask." Dr. Praveen said.
"Doctor Sahab, tell me that in today's time, everyone is running towards the city. You too could have easily got a posting in the city, then why are you living in our backward village? Why do you have so much sympathy for the villagers?"
"There is a very long story behind this, I will tell you some other time."
"No-no, you have to tell me about this today Doctor Sahab, everyone said in unison."
Doctor Sahab kept on hesitating at first, then on everyone's insistence, he started telling.
There is a village called Lakhanpura in the nearby district. I am from that village. My father was a farmer. We were five siblings. The three sisters were elders, who were married. There was only a difference of two-and-a-half years in the age of both of us brothers, so there was a deep bond between us. One without the other could not stay together for even a moment. We used to play together, eat on the same plate, and go to school together. If one of us went away for two-four days, it felt as if some part of the body had been cut off.
Our family was not very rich, yet the household was running smoothly. Both of us used to go to the nearby village to study in the Inter College, and after returning, we used to help father with his work. I was in the eleventh class and my younger brother was in the ninth. Everyone at home used to call him Chota lovingly.
Those were days of great fun. Then an incident happened in life, remembering which even today the heart fills with deep pain.
Everyone was listening very attentively to the story of Dr. Praveen's past. Dr. Sahab started telling further "It was the month of Bhadon. Rainy days. There was a feast for both of us brothers in a nearby house. We returned after eating the feast in the afternoon.
Both of us came home and lay down. After some time, Chota's health started deteriorating. He started vomiting and having diarrhea. Father had gone out for some work that day. So, both my mother and I got very worried. We took him to one or two knowledgeable people in the neighborhood and gave him some home remedies, but there was no benefit. His vomiting and diarrhea kept increasing.
Due to rain, the roads were filled with water all around. It was also drizzling. So, it was not possible to take him anywhere by bullock cart, etc.
Seeing no improvement in his condition, I got worried and ran to call a doctor from the town.
There was mud and water on the way, but I was not aware of anything. It was as if my feet had wings. I was running very fast. I reached seven kilometers away. I did not know how I covered a distance of a mile in one hour.
There were two private doctors in the town. I went to both of them. I told them everything and requested them to come to the village. But they refused to go.
I cried and pleaded, held their feet, and said that my brother's life is in your hands, come and save him. I will pay whatever fee you ask. But all efforts failed. None of the two doctors agreed to come to the village in such muddy water.
Finally, I said that you just prescribe some medicine.
No doctor agreed to this also. They said that it was a case of cholera, we cannot give medicine without seeing the patient. If there is any dispute then we will be defamed.
Defeated and with a gloomy mind, I returned home. I was unable to walk due to despair. My legs seemed to have become one quintal each.
On reaching home, I saw that Chota's condition had worsened greatly. As soon as I reached, he asked, "Has the doctor not come, Bhaiya?" To console him, I said that Doctor Sahab was coming.
Due to excessive vomiting and diarrhea, Chota had become unconscious. Whenever he regained consciousness, he would ask, "Has the doctor not come Bhaiya?" I felt as if someone was pulling my heart out. I couldn't stand to see his condition. I was being consumed by the helplessness of not being able to do anything to save him.
By evening, Chota breathed his last with his head in my lap. Before dying, he looked at me with helpless eyes. My heart was filled with deep pain. By then, my father had also arrived. Somehow, the last rites of my younger brother, dearer to me than my life, were performed in front of my eyes.
There was no end to my sorrow. I remained lost for months. Nothing felt good. Neither did I feel like studying, or playing. I kept remembering Chota all the time.
It is said that the balm of time heals even the biggest wounds. Slowly, I became normal. But then another incident happened in my life which shook my entire existence.
I had an adopted Bhabhi in my neighborhood. I love her.
She had no brother-in-law. That is why she loved me a lot.
I used to spend most of my free time with her. She used to talk to me and joke with me. Whenever I went to her place, she would feed me something. If I did not eat, she would get upset, but then she would be happy if I laughed a little.
Bhabhi was about to have a child. One day she went to the roof to dry the grains. While coming down, somehow her foot slipped on the stairs and she fell. She was hurt in her stomach due to which she started having severe pain and bleeding.
Everyone quickly put her in the bullock cart and ran towards the town. I was also with them.
Bhabhi's condition was getting worse. The bleeding had not stopped yet. She was writhing in pain. The town was still two to three miles away. Bhabhi called me to her and said, "Now I will not survive Lala." Tell your brother to take the bullock cart back home.
What are you saying Bhabhi? Be patient, you will be fine. There is no use in giving false assurances Lala. Will you do one thing for me? She said holding one of my hands in hers.
I said tell, Bhabhi, I can even give my life for you. There is no need to give my life Lala. Save it for my sister-in-law. She tried to smile. Then she said, do one thing, study and become a doctor and stay in the village so that no one has to die due to lack of medicines like me.
I promise you Bhabhi. I said Bhabhi's eyes had a unique glow. She looked at me with trusting eyes and then closed her eyes forever.
These two incidents had shaken my existence. Those eyes of Bhabhi and that dying face of Chota kept roaming in my mind all the time. I resolved that one day I would become a doctor. It is said that in front of strong determination, even mountains of difficulties give way. I started preparing for the exam. I came second in the whole of Uttar Pradesh in the intermediate exam.
After passing the intermediate, I got admitted to the medical college based on my marks without any recommendation.
Somehow I completed my medical studies by giving tuitions. I have seen the poverty very closely.
I came first in the whole medical college. Therefore, I was selected for the government medical service.
It was my heartfelt desire to stay in the village itself. I could not get appointed in my district. Therefore, when this primary health center opened in this village, I got myself appointed here after talking to the officials. Like you people, the officials were also surprised that why a young doctor like me wanted to go to the village health center.
Master Sahab, when I see a patient in the hospital, I see the reflection of my brother and sister-in-law in him. And I treat him with the same feeling and full dedication. While saying this, Doctor Praveen became very emotional.
The night had passed quite a bit. Meanwhile, Master Revati Raman's wife had brought tea for everyone. After drinking tea, Dr Praveen returned to the hospital. For a long time, he kept thinking about the plans for the health center. In the meantime, he fell asleep.
