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Walking in Bangalore has always been a wonderful experience…but sadly no more! I would love to walk to my clinic which is just 20mins by walk. But the shrinking pavements and the blaring noises makes it an ordeal. We are slowly but steadily losing the pleasures of walking, unless it is reminded to us by a doctor who himself can do with lots of walking!
The simple act of walking represents a particular stance of man towards the environment. And that has undergone a drastic change. The ascendancy of car culture and the ubiquity of cheap communication technology are increasingly alienating us from our environments, our neighbors, and finally, ourselves. Is modern life moving faster than the speed of thought or thoughtfulness? As Thoreau remarked “the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow” ! There is no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it! In the words of WH Davies: Now shall I walk Or Shall I ride? “Ride” Pleasure said, “Walk” Joy replied!
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Spent the last weekend in the salubrious environs of Karl Kobel Institute at Anaikatti, Coimbatore, The occasion was the Annual CME of the Indian Psychiatric Society, South Zone. I chose to talk on an issue that often doesn't get the attention it deserves in professional circles...the topic of Professional Burnout. I titled the presentations as Keeping The Flame Alive...Perspectives on Professional Burnout and ended it up emphasizing as to how each one of us has to strive to develop strategies of combating it by various measures that can bring a sense of joy and meaning to our everyday lives.It is birding amongst other interest of mine, which keeps the burnout at bay...or so I hope!
So not surprisingly, we ventured into the verdant landscape of Anaikatti one morning in the company of Lakshminarayanan, a young, talented wild life enthusiast who is doing interesting work with tigers. Just a few kilometers away from the institute we chanced upon a pair of BlueWinged Parakeets. I have posted these lovely avians in the Feathered Beauties section of the photographs. There were other wonderful sightings too, notably that of Blue Winged Malkhoa. Altogether a lovely sojourn...thanks Lakshmi! For all of us who want to write
Here is a lovely poem by Edward Thomas (A very close friend of Robert Frost) WORDS Out of us all That make rhymes, Will you choose Sometimes-- As the winds use A crack in the wall Or a drain, Their joy or their pain To whistle through-- Choose me, You English words? I know you: You are light as dreams, Tough as oak, Precious as gold, As poppies and corn, Or an old cloak; Sweet as our birds to the ear, As the burnet rose In the heat Of Midsummer: Strange as the races Of dead and unborn: Strange and sweet Equally, And familiar, To the eye, As the dearest faces That a man knows, And as lost homes are: But though older far Than oldest yew,-- As our hills are, old,-- Worn new Again and again: Young as our streams After rain: And as dear As the earth which you prove That we love. Make me content With some sweetness From Wales, Whose nightingales Have no wings,-- From Wiltshire and Kent And Herefordshire, And the villages there,-- From the names, and the things No less. Let me sometimes dance With you, Or climb, Or stand perchance In ecstasy, Fixed and free In a rhyme, As poets do. Just discovered this poet...reportedly one of the greatest sonneteers. This poem was found by her side when she tripped and fell down a flight of stairs under the influence of alcohol. She broke her neck and died instantaneously.
Here is her “Sonnet CXXXIX”: "I must not die of pity; I must live; Grow strong. not sicken; eat, digest my food, That it may build me, and in doing good To blood and bone, broaden the sensitive Fastidious pale perception: we contrive Lean comfort for the starving, who intrude Upon them with our pots of pity; brewed From stronger meat must be the broth we give. Blue, bright September day, with here and there On the green hills a maple turning red, And white clouds racing in the windy air!-- If I would help the weak, I must be fed In wit and purpose, pour away despair And rinse the cup, eat happiness like bread." |
Dr Raguram
Someone who keeps exploring beyond the boundaries of everyday life to savor and share those unforgettable moments.... Archives
May 2024
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