Last week was a memorable one. Fifty years after entering the medical school at JIPMER, our batch of 1968 met for a Golden Jubilee Reunion. We spent two days renewing our ties and refreshing our memories. Recollecting the times I had spent in JIPMER and the people I had shared those times with, was like rewinding an old tape.
In the process of winding tape back, I was also reminiscing about how I got into JIPMER. Paraphrasing in the words of recently deceased VS Naipaul, “there’s no landscape as interesting and intriguing as the landscape of our memories.” All my early education was in Tamil at the Ramakrishna Mission School, Chennai. We had some exceptional teachers, most notable among them Sri TS Ranganathan, who taught us English and Science. He was also an amazing tennis player with a booming service. Clad in his panchakacham - five yards of dhoti tucked in five places - he had a dominating presence on the court. It was always a demanding and humbling experience to face him on the other side of the court. Having completed SSLC, I had two months of a breather. The practice in those days was to ensure that boys learnt typewriting and short hand, to prepare them for a career at least as a clerk if nothing else worked out. Every day in the typing institute I sat in front of an ageing typewriter and monotonously typed the lessons, starting from asdfgf;lkjhj! Somehow I passed the lower grade typewriting exam. The next task was to prepare for further studies in college where English would be the medium. It can be a daunting task for a person who had spent all his formative years learning in his mother tongue. Fortunately, the British Council started a program called the Bridge Course to prepare students who had studied in their mother tongue to switch over to English as a medium of instruction. It was a wonderful experience. We were exposed to the nuances of the language in all its forms. Exposure to English opened up an entirely new vista of exploration. I started devouring English books and novels, often finishing a book a day. This was also made easy through daily expeditions to the Eswari Lending Library on the bicycle. Awash with books, it had a lovely feel. The owner ( I forget his name), used to silently hand me yet another stack of books when I returned the previous pile. Accompanying my mother to the Connemara Public Library was yet another enriching experience. Between learning typing and losing myself in the new found love of the English language, I also spent time discovering the beauty of Batik painting under the tutelage of the famed artist Krishnamurthi. I spent countless hours, often extending late into the night, testing my prowess in the new medium. Krishnamurthy introduced me not just to painting but also to the enchanting world of aesthetics. The SSLC results came in and having done well, I got into Loyola College. Among all the subjects, I fell in love with physics, thanks to a wonderful teacher, CC Ouseph, who also authored the text book which we studied. I made it to the principal’s merit list in physics in the first term thanks to his inspiring inputs. I also got interested in the innards of biological processes through dissecting slimy frogs and delicate cockroaches. Altogether, it was a fun filled period of learning. With the stimulating ambiance and efforts of great teachers, I secured distinction in all the subjects in the final exams. Now it was time to plan the next move. Hailing from a family of doctors (my grandfather and grand uncle were doctors), the choice was made clear. I applied for admission to medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and patiently awaited the call for the interview. When the call came, I gingerly walked into a big room full of stern looking people. I sat nervously on the chair. The imposing man in the center asked me in a booming voice, “What is your caste?” I murmured the answer in reply, looking forward to the next question. There was none. They asked me to leave. I wondered what the purpose of the question was and the mystery was revealed shortly after: I was not among the selected candidates, in spite of scoring impressively in the qualifying exam. It was a traumatic experience in many ways. A sense of exclusion, not entirely of my making had a demoralizing impact on me. Needless to say, this must have been an unnerving experience for many in the past who have faced discrimination based on man-made separations systematized by social institutions. While I was ruing this unanticipated setback, a small envelope landed at home one day. It was from JIPMER, informing me to take the entrance examination at Pondicherry. The letter carried a ray of hope. I made the journey to Pondicherry, travelling alone for the first time out of Chennai on my own. I stayed with a relative of ours and to my pleasant surprise found V who was also taking the exam at this place. On the exam day, there were hordes of students and anxious parents thronging the school where it took place. The examination itself was a smooth process and I didn’t find it tough. As I made my way back to Chennai, I was wondering whether I would be able to make it among the several thousands who took the exam. Several weeks later another envelope arrived from JIPMER. I opened it tentatively, preparing myself for the worst and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a call for an interview. The letter also specified that I would have to pay the fees on the same day that the results were announced. Taking cognizance of the fact that arranging money at a short notice would be a daunting task for my parents, I told them that since Pondicherry wasn’t too far, I would make a trip immediately once I was selected and take the money back to pay the fees. On the interview day, all of us waited patiently in a room adjacent to where the interview was taking place. Anxious students were brushing up their knowledge with books with restless parents hovering around them. But among them all was M who was sitting quietly reading Adventures of Father Brown by GK Chesterton. Occasionally his face would burst into a repressed guffaw and a tentative chuckle. I envied his calm and cool demeanor in a sea of apprehension. Worried parents stationed themselves outside the interview room, asking the students who finished their interviews as to what questions were being asked and rushing back to their wards to brief them. It was my turn. I walked into the room and strangely I felt calm. Once I sat down, an impressive looking elderly man asked me the customary question “Young man, why do you want to study medicine?” I said without much thinking “I want to study medicine because I love literature”. I cursed myself was saying something that was not too appropriate. To my great relief the elderly man asked me as to what was common between medicine and literature. This drew me into a discussion on physicians who were also writers and how literature can sensitize the physician to understand patients’ experiences in distress and disease. I must have talked non-stop for five minutes on this! But the next question surprised me further “What is your view on the cultural revolution in China?”, which again resulted in a long reply from me. Fifteen minutes had passed by now. The interviewers looked at each other and finally one of them asked me, “Young man, where would you go if you have to stitch a fine suit?” Without batting an eyelid I said ‘Hong Kong’. And that was the end of the interview. It was much later that I came to know that the elderly gentleman who asked me about the relationship between medicine and literature was none other than VK Gokak, President of Sahitya Academy and recipient of Jnanapith Award! When I emerged from the room, people crowded around me enquiring as to what kind of questions were asked. As I briefed them, I could sense their incredulity and barely concealed sympathy that I stood little chance of making it since no question on the subjects had been asked of me,. Nevertheless I personally felt a sense of relief and went to the town and took a walk on the beach. I came back around 5PM to JIPMER and the results were up on the board already. To my great surprise and joy I found my name among them. The next task was to pay the required fees. I walked up to the cashier and informed him that I had been selected and that I would rush back to Chennai and bring the fees next morning. Looking at me sternly, the cashier told me “Is it not mentioned in your interview letter that you have to pay the fees immediately after your selection, as otherwise you will lose your seat?” I tried desperately to convince him, but to no avail. While this conversation was on, a man with an imposing mustache was in the next counter, drawing his pay. He walked up to the cashier and told him that he would pay the fees. I was moved to tears by his spontaneous gesture and told him that I would return his money the next day. He put his arm around me and said “You will be here for the next five years, that’s a long time to pay me back, don’t worry”. My entry into JIPMER was an extraordinary and unforgettable experience. A random act of kindness from a stranger ensured my passage into the healing profession. To this day I cherish that moment and it has had an enduring impact on me, especially in my profession of tending to minds in distress. In the words of Dalai Lama, “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness”. Feel free to post your comments here . . .
53 Comments
vinod Kulkarni
8/14/2018 08:29:43 am
Dear dr raguramji, your narration is really heart touching and mind blowing. I am also very delighted to know that your schooling was in ramakrishna mission school, towards which, i have a great revered respect. And u did your initial collegr days at loyola, a legendary, premier institute, one of the finests in the country.plus securing an admission into JIPMER speaks volumes of your high I.Q. i was equally thrilled to know that your interviewer was no less a person than dr vee.kra.gokak. Your quick fire and bouncing answers at the interview of JIPMER are a lesson to imbibe for the younsters. I am extremly happy to know all this about your goodself. Do write it in ips kc and e_ips groups. It wl be an inspiration to the infants in psychiatry. Regards, dr vinod g.kulkarni, hubli.
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Prof Raguram
8/14/2018 08:50:48 am
Thank you Vinod!
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:24:43 am
Thanks Vinod
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Sarveswara Rao Tekumalla
8/14/2018 09:05:31 am
Ragu
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:25:43 am
True Eswar. She had such a huge impact on me personally and I should pen a detailed narrative on her,,,
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Stuart Schwartz
8/14/2018 02:38:29 pm
A beautiful tale, simply but elegantly told. The world was such a different place with room for genuine human kindness. Thank you Ragu for reminding us.
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:28:03 am
Thanks Stu!
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Dr S Vasishta
8/14/2018 05:03:28 pm
Well said raghu. You have rekindled my memories. Who was the kind hearted moustache man?
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:28:40 am
He was called Meesai Balu and he was in the Chemistry Department
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Shiny
8/14/2018 05:59:06 pm
I read it twice ...couldn't hold back my tears .loss of Madras medical colleges ,gain of jipmer to be proud of having such a great doctor as their alumni....
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:28:54 am
Thanks Shiny
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Anand Pandurangi
8/14/2018 07:13:34 pm
Ragu, your write up is very touching. I am amazed at the details you have etched out and at your memory. Many details resonate with my own experience. Thanks for penning this and taking us down the memory lane.
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:29:35 am
Thanks Anand..all of us imbibed a lot from those years in JIPMER
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Prabhavathy. K. S
8/14/2018 08:07:17 pm
It's so touching Sir, narration too is beautiful!
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:29:51 am
Thank you
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Lalitha
8/14/2018 08:34:00 pm
As Usual ur write up is soooo good this one memories of jipmer is not only interesting but very moving . Carry on Dr Raguram 👏
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:30:08 am
Thank You!
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Prathap Tharyan
8/14/2018 08:48:04 pm
Dear Dr. Raghuram
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:31:18 am
Thanks Prathap. I strongly feel that an exposure to humanities is an important part of the medical curriculum. But sadly it doesn't get the attention it richly deserves
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M RAVI
8/14/2018 09:33:50 pm
Well written Ragu
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:31:32 am
Sure Ravi!
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Malathi Swaminathan
8/14/2018 09:57:49 pm
Happy Independence Day Morning Sir, felt like you were orally narrating to face to face. Very moving!
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:32:34 am
True Malathi...all these experiences shape our perceptions and attitudes in a very positive way
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Alok Kulkarni
8/14/2018 10:30:44 pm
Dear Sir, it was heartwarming to read this write up on your fond reminiscences about your stay at JIPMER. Even more touching was to read up on the process which helped you gain entry into the premier institute. Your students have been beneficiaries of your clinical skill, academic prowess and empathy. Many thanks to the benefactor who paid your fees and influenced you in a positive way!
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:32:47 am
Thanks Alok!
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Samuel Chittaranjan
8/15/2018 12:01:51 am
Dear Raghu,
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:33:30 am
Deeply touched by your kind words Sam. Each one of us in the Batch of 68 have left their mark in medical arena
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Rekha Ranganathan Pradeep
8/15/2018 02:00:31 am
Wonderful read, Raghu. Heartwarming, genuine kindness... and you have taken on the mantle, as all of us touched by you will agree.A different time, when humanity was more evident. Warm regards, thanks for sharing
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:33:44 am
Thanks Rekhs!
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Dr Sundar
8/15/2018 03:26:52 am
Ragu
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:33:55 am
Thanks Sundar
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RAVI RENGACHARI
8/15/2018 04:15:20 am
Ragu, You have set off a flood of memories of my own entry into JIPMER. I had come to Pondy a day before the entrance exam, got a bicycle from the person I was staying with ,and visited the JIPMER Campus ( which then seemed miles away from the town).We had our interview in Madras in the office of DR.A.L.Mudaliar, the legendary Vice Chancellor of Madras University. The questions I faced included the Gold Control Order imposed by Morarji Desai, rules governing short and long corners in hockey and the role of post mortems ( to which my answers were derived from reading Perry Mason novels). I did not get admission right away , but had very little hesitation in joining JIPMER when I did get a wait listed seat (leaving Bangalore Medical College which I attended for a day).
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:34:07 am
Thanks Ravi
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Dr. S.Kalaichandran
8/15/2018 05:12:14 am
Beautifully written. Systematic discrimination is something I cannot get my head around. As a Sri Lankan(Ceylon then) Tamil, we faced discrimination on racial basis. When university selection was on merit, Tamils took 80% seats in engineering & 60+ % seats in Medicine regularly. With the introduction of "standardisation = discrimination of MINORITY" I joined Madras Christian College in 1967 in PU. and subsequently KMC 50 yrs ago. I felt bad for the Brahmin boys with 1st class loose out to SC students with 3rd class in Medical school admission!
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:34:42 am
Unfortunately discrimination is universal and often is man made
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ravi
8/15/2018 09:28:18 pm
Respected Sir
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:35:09 am
Thanks Ravi and loved the reference to the paper boats!
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Ramesh Santhanam
8/15/2018 09:43:18 pm
Such an act of kindness ... to total strangers ... where do you see that these days. I am happy, and sad at the same instant, that we lived in those times and the world is fast changing - if not at the pace with which Dr Yuval Noah Harari projects ! (the threat, though, is imminent)
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:35:20 am
Thanks Ramesh
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CHAUKI
8/15/2018 09:56:09 pm
Wonderful experience to go through your early days in school and college Sir. I have personally experienced effect of a teacher's touch on your shoulder and quiet words "You can do better Chauki".Its life transforming and a moment to cherish for ever.
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:35:30 am
Thanks Chauki
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Raaj
8/18/2018 09:46:43 pm
Unbelievable !
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Dr Raguram
11/19/2019 07:35:42 am
Thanks Raaj
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Muthatha Ramanathan
8/18/2018 11:00:28 pm
Hello Dr.Raguram,
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DR RAMA GOPALAN
8/21/2018 12:00:52 am
It was nice reading about your JIPMER admission story. Truly a heartful experience. I appeared for the entrance examinations from Delhi and was called for the interview along with offers from CMC Vellore and MMC.I went through the three day grind in CMC which tested all our physical,psychological and social qualities but at the end could not get the seat. My first failure in life.! Next call was JIPMER where as you described ,a strange calm and sense of belonging beckoned a wounded teenager.The interview went well but results showed otherwise.One more disappointment!.Returned to Madras to go back to Delhi and join the premedical course at Dayal Singh College.The few days that I spent in Madras, somehow managed to get 'Mahabharata' by Rajagopalachari and started reading it to while away the time while my maternal aunt was busy organising tickets for our return travel. Came the day when I reached the Viraata Parva chapter and Lo came the telegram to report to JIPMER for admission. Once again gathered everything and reached JIPMER.Turned out that I was first in the waiting list and some kind soul had left for another college in a neighboring state.The feeling of JIPMER was so overwhelming even though I was going to be away from my family. God has been really kind but has aIso taught me patience.Maybe we have a pact wherein he makes me wait and always gives only on the second time. That has happened also when I joined as a lecturer in Pathology in the University of Madras.So my agreement with God continues and I thank him for my successful journey for MBBS in JIPMER.(got the the fifth rank in the University examinations for second and third MBBS examinations).Later on somebody told me that Viraata Parva in troubled times brings succour.
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Sethuraman
8/21/2018 11:27:15 am
Ragu,
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Mahadevan
8/27/2018 10:27:42 pm
Raguram,
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Anand Rao Kalepu
9/14/2018 08:39:55 pm
Hello Dr. Raguram, it was nice reading your recent EMail and abour your medical college admission. Its concerning that they had put a direct adverse question to you in interview ad rejected you. We did not have interview at Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam and admissions in those years were sole on total score in biology, chemistry and physics, My Pre University scores were in 90s and my father redirected telegram to me for admission there, but, I did not know how to choose and did not go there, Clinical portion would have been better there. JIPMER was still developing and we had good clinical exposure only in ObGyn because we were taken to Pondy State Hospital. As far as my knowledge goes, only non regional colleges like, St Johns, Bangalore , JIPMER and Vellore CMC had interviews. At Vellore and St Johns, only about 17 seats in each were for open competition & rest of their seats were for church sponsored students.
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vinay kumar
9/25/2018 02:56:58 am
Good Day Doctor,
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Sangitha
8/11/2021 11:13:09 am
Hi! I am trying to track down some MSc students from JIPMER, batch 1968 or 69. Any help would be really helpful. Could you please get in touch with me on email (it is in the comment above)? I would be most grateful. It is her 70th birthday soon and it would make her year to meet and talk to any of her classmates. Thanks!
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Gautam Moorthy
3/4/2024 09:12:32 pm
A fascinating account indeed. Very interesting, very graceful, very moving. Ragu you have truly lived life, drawn the best from it and are giving back to society in more than equal measure. More power to you!
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Sudarshan C Y
3/6/2024 03:06:30 am
A picturesque narration of an adolescents exposure to a world outside the comforts of ones home. These experiences made you what you became later and continue to be even now.
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Ranjini Rajagopalan
3/8/2024 11:35:10 pm
Your journey and your description of the same and the time then is so pictorial!! A lot of your experiences resonate with me. Visits to the library, the interview and the anxiety that hovers around students, the questions asked, — so beautifully written!
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