Living engaged and enabling!

I received a message today from Arpit, giving me a link to a citation on Dr Ulhas Jajoo,  who closed his term of service at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Seagram after forty eight years of uninterrupted service as a professor of Medicine. 

Jajoo and I were in the same clinical batch during our undergraduate days at Medical College, Nagpur. I got to know him and Abhaya Bunk, who stood out as two students hailing from families who had close association with Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom movement. 

As a student

Jajoo carried a zest for his studies as he had left his engineering course to join the medical college, when he felt persuaded by what he heard from a family friend who spoke to him about the need of doctors in rural India. What was special about Jajoo was to spend his evening hours in the ward joining with the residents for the evening rounds and participating in caring for the people admitted for treatment. He even picked up bedside procedures and communication skills by developing a habit of listening to the stories of people. He influenced some of us by his attitude of 'learning from patients and not just from class room lectures and books'. Our preparation for bed side clinics became interesting before the tutor arrived to lead the clinical discussion because Jajoo had insights about the patient that made us ready for an in-depth discussion with the tutor. 

Jajoo was an activist in the Medico Friend Circle. He would lead students to visit the slums nearby the Medical college, on week ends and take active part in education of its residents in hygienic living, nutrition, healthy practices, child care and abstinence from alcohol. I remember a few visits which made deep impressions about the stories of people hidden away, which do not get adequately attended to when they come to hospital for their health care needs. The attitude of friendly listening was Jajoo's style of learning! 

The hostel life was another experience that I recall because his room was a place of dialogue and engagement about life, its mission, health care, attention to people in disadvantaged position, justice and fairness in social life, etc. As students we heard his views with appreciation as he was a 'Gandhian' by attitude and practice   I felt influenced by his thoughts on practice of medicine as an opportunity for service.  

As a post graduate trainee

I felt a traction towards community medicine for which I had to go to B.J.Medical College Pune for my post graduate training. Jajoo was clear about his direction to pursue training in Internal medicine for which he joined at Nagpur Medical College. I overlapped with him for one year while doing my senior house surgency to stay eligible for training in child health if I were to return to it afterwards. During the six months in child health I remember occasions when I needed his help as the registrar in Renal Unit to care for children who had renal complications. It was then I recognised his thoughtful attitude and readiness to help, often going out of his way. 

I recall his presentations of clinical discussions in the weekly clinical meeting on Fridays, which was at the level of a consultant's knowledge  or experience. Jajoo thought and applied well in clinical interpretations and clarifying the clinical pathway of diseases and treatment approach. He excelled clinically and relationally. 

As a teacher and clinician 

Anna and I happened to overlap with him for about two years at MGIMS, Sevagram, when we worked there. I having completed my post graduation in community medicine joined the department whose head of the department was the director of MGIMS Dr. Sushila Nayyar. It was during that time Dr Nayyar was developing a general out patient service overseen by consultants from community medicine and other basic specialities with the help of interns. That was a brain child of Dr Nayyar greatly influenced by few others, one of whom was Jajoo. 

Jajoo was in communication with Dr Nayyar to foster a three tier system of health care- community level, general OPD services and speciality services.

The idea of family medicine was at the root of this perspective which involved orientation of this outlook to young consultants and interns. Jajoo argued, how important that interns learn in an atmosphere where primary health care approach is introduced to them ! 

What I saw at that time was how Jajoo innovated a health care insurance scheme for the people in villages, where, by donating grains during the harvest time as their insurance premium, they could get subsidised health care from the hospital. It was a popular and effective scheme which the hospital honoured. 

Jajoo visited the villages around the MGMS, more than any one of us from the community medicine did at that time. It was due to his alertness, an epidemic of Measles could be contained in  few villages. I remember being called to help in caring for children admitted with complications of Measles at his request, which opened an opportunity for me to be attached to child health department. It was during that time I felt a traction for post graduate studies in Child health, for which I left to Nagpur Medical College. 

Jajoo was a regular visitor to our home during our time at MGIMS, and a companion on dialoguing on issues of social medicine and distributive justice. I feel grateful looking back, because he influenced me to integrate child health care and community health practice. 

As a friend

Jajoo was one among the immediate circle of friends during my undergraduate days who helped me in clarifying issues on social medicine and family medicine practice. It was a delight to meet Jajoo's parents and visit their home.   They lived a simple life but were immensely hospitable. Jajoo's younger brother too was pursuing medical studies. 

Jajoo visited us in 1984, when Anna and I lived in Chennai in our pursuit to develop child development and rehabilitation services. Seeing the set of the Child Development Centre and the direction we felt inclined to follow at that time, although surprised him, he was enthusiastic to value the small beginning. This was at a time when the speciality of developmental Paediatrics was yet to take roots in any medical college in India. 

Jajoo himself being in pursuit of family medicine practice, which was at its pioneering phase, he could find space in his imagination to an innovative effort we were pursuing in child development.  

A recollection 

I confess that I have not been faithful in staying in touch with my class mates of undergraduate days, except a few. In fact I lost contact with Jajoo after our time in Sevagram. Although he would have expected us to return to MGIMS, Anna and I proceeded to CMC Vellore after my training at Nagpur in 1980. I have regrets for having lost contact with Jajoo and Abhay, who moved on to create new horizons in health care.  

But I remain grateful to Jajoo for his critical role in my formative years to influence me with sound thoughts on social medicine and distributive justice! 

As Jajoo closes his time at MGIMS and begins elsewhere to continue his contact with people to make a difference, Anna and I send our warm regards, grateful recollections and good wishes for health and wellness. 

You touched our lives and we are grateful!

M.C.Mathew ( text and photo of flower from our garden)

The silent way of doing good!

One rose bush above in our garden was full of buds when I left home for a week of engagement. When I came back the flowers were in different stages of ageing!

It brought to me a message about life on earth!

There is a 'given time' to flower and be fragrant as fragile flowers. 

In the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible in chapter 3, there are 22 verses which tell the story of the behavioural voyage of people on earth. I felt a call within when I read the verse 12: "I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's life time". The verse 22 is another statement of invitation: "And I have seen  nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him !". 

I felt the flowers above from our garden speaking to me about the calling to be present to do good in whatever situation we are called to be!

The plant is rooted in the soil to bring forth flowers ! The flowers are present dung their appointed time in the plant and fade away with no marks of memory in history! It is a journey from the unknown to the unknown! However their life time offer colourful presence, where they bloom!

It adds a sacred dimension to life! 

Our life is a gift given to us to blossom! 

It is only as much as we are open we leave a trace of goodness around us! It is that trace of goodness that is scarce in our troubled times! 

I am made to think about the way of my being!

The flowers may remain in the plant, or taken away for a flower vase or be a nectar provider for ants or feel strained by the heat of the day! In all such situations, the flowers remain fragrant!

It is not what others do to us that can determine our response. Our response in all situations is the offering of our being! 

It was a taxi driver who reminded me of this orientation of living! He found an important paper I left behind in the car. While he was doing a routine check of the car after dropping me, he found the paper. By then I had walked away! He came searching for me to hand over the document. He refused a gift that I offered. He said, 'Doing what I can do makes me feel good' !

What a delight it is to have such people around us, who remind us of the joy of living by doing good to others!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A gift of goodwill !

 

All the rose flowers above in our garden at home, were covered in dew this morning !

There was an ant in the last flower gathering nectar !

A garden supports life in multiple ways!

I heard a testimony of a family who lost house and belongings in the landslide in Wayanad in north Kerala in 2025. They were among the fifty one families who received a house with three bed rooms in a well laid colony last week as a gift of goodwill due to the generous efforts of a voluntary organisation. In that testimony what was spoken was truly an announcement of hope for all those who feel tempted to be pessimistic! From the time of loss of their property and belongings, the  family was supported by provisions and assistance to rebuild their lives. The family spoke about a new experience of goodness of people!

                              ( Photo form the internet)

I found a metaphor in the dew drops on the flowers above! Each life on earth is covered with the grace of altruism!

But some drift to rebellion, hatred, revenge, enmity or harming mindset! This news occupy the media, which makes us feel anxious and stressful. 

The good will towards others is a stronger instinct than anything less than that in most of us. The few who resort to harm are an exception!

With the news of war and violence in West Asia dominating the news currently, we still have hope left for peace! The restraint to use nuclear war head is a consolation amidst the agony we experience. I see some chances of Britain genuinely making an effort to negotiate! 

I come back to the flowers in our garden! They flower and blossom when humans fail in their stewardship of earth and habitation. The nature's response to human aggressive spirit is its habit of giving! 

I wish we live as stewards and neighbours upon earth!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A lamentation!

I noticed when I returned after a week of travel that the Rambutan trees in our garden are in the flowering stage. In another two three months, the trees will have fruits. They flower once a year. During the rest of the year the trees prepare for this season. That is the story of other trees like Mango, Cashew nut, and jack fruit. ThePapaya, Guava and banana tress bear fruits during all seasons in the year.

One reason why birds are resident in the garden or visit the garden is because of fruits that they can feed on. During the summer months the birds look out for water for bathing rituals. 

The flowers, fruits and the birds make the garden a refreshing sight and a  hospital place !

My thoughts turn to the disturbing news in the west Asia, with the war intensifying! I feel that the United Nations as an organisation set up after the League of Nations failed to prevent the second world war, is following a similar journey of its failure in global negotiations.  

The earth is a garden of life for humans. We turn it into a violent place of enmity, conflict and confrontation to pursue partisan purposes. The situation is alarmingly explosive! 

I wonder if the global leaders would carry the vocation to restore the earth to be a human garden of people of all nations in a common journey of co-dependance and collaboration! The attitude of countries like USA, Russia, China, or Israel to rule over others because they are militarily resourceful is a 'mean theory' in a post civilised world. 

I came across a theory on clash of civilisations by Samuel Huntington who theorised that 'in the post Cold War era, the primary source of global conflict is not between nations or ideologies, but between major cultural and religious civilisations'.

How disturbing it is to think that global political leadership engages promoting such an attitude and not a dialogue based approach to human existence on earth. The climate crisis, global economic stability, opportunities for all, mindfulness towards those who live marginalised and socio-political participation were the dialogue issues between nations in the last 25 years or so. We expected this dialogue to continue. But the current president of the USA pulling out of the Global climate forum and dissociating from few international action plans that had a humanitarian purpose, the chaos in global affairs was initiated. First it was the signal to consider a sovereign nation of Canada as one of the states of the USA, then it was a public proclamation to occupy Greenland and now it is to settle score with Iran who became a nuclear power house. 

What is life on earth without peace, cordial co-existence, neighbour friendly gestures and affirmation of wellness for all! I feel even more disturbed, when Israel disregardful of history of about forty years, displaced the Palestinians from their territory of Gaza and buried the two-nation theory agreed upon after the Second World War. The holocaust the Jews suffered from is a major psychological trauma that makes Israel as a nation to live in a fear phobia. The neighbouring countries do not help in Israel recovering form its loss and grief, as a result of which, that nation has become a threat to other nations!

I watch our garden as a place for flowers, fruits and birds! I wonder when the nations of the world would collaborate to live on earth as neighbours sharing our common heritage and destiny and make our earthly living a pleasant experience!

From the little I understand from history, I wonder why we return to the culture of  hunters and gatherers who lived 10,000 years ago who fought to survive!  

I read sobering reports from people's movements in some countries who speak and plead for peace and conciliation! What a reassuring step in troubled times !

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

The epigenetic of formation!

I noticed the changes in the colour complexion of the desert roses above during the week form the time they blossomed ! It was an interesting sight to watch. The effect of the sunlight, heat and humidity of the day and the cool ambience of the night did affect the appearance and colour of the flowers.

I noticed a book in the book store which I did not pay attention initially. As I walked around in the book store, I felt a traction towards the book. 

The author, an historian and psychologist revisited the history of formation of thoughts in the recent history of human beings. His premise is that 'Most people, deep down are decent' (p2). He develops the thought that, 'If we believe most people can't be trusted, that's how we will treat each other, to everyone's detriment. Few ideas have as much power top shape the world as our view of other people. Because ultimately, you get what you expect to get. If we want to challenge the greatest challenges of our times- form the climate crisis to our growing distrust of one another-then I think the place we need to start is our view of human nature' (p9).

Rutger referred to a parable of unknown origin, floating in the Internet of  a conversation between an old man and his grandson to explore this thought further: 'An old man says to his grandson- There  is a fight going on inside me. It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil- angry, greedy, jealous, arrogant, and cowardly. The other is food- peaceful, loving, modest, generous, honest, and trustworthy. These two wolves are also fighting within you, and inside every other person too. After amount, the boy asks, which wolf will win? The Old man smiles and says,  The one you feed' (p10).

We become in our thought, behaviour and reactions what we dwell on and feed on!

The recent war between Iran and the combined forces of the USA and Israel, has been on the thoughts of the political leaders of these countries for a while. When it erupted with America and Israel bombing Iran a few days ago, their thoughts and aspirations gave an expression in this avoidable war! 

The good we long to see in our children is created by the influences we offer to them during the conversations around the dining table, play time, interactive engagements, outings, reading books, and revisiting the events that shaped our civilisation. The adults form their thoughts. We feed them to behave like a good wolf or a bad wolf. 

The author referring to the research by George Gerbner (1919-2005), describes a mean world syndrome, 'whose clinical symptoms are cynicism, misanthropy, and pessimism'. 

When I read about the prayer vigil of small groups in different countries for peace and conciliation following the onset of war against Iran, I realise that the war, disaster, calamity and such harsh experiences awaken the conscience of many people to seek for justice, peace and welfare !

I feel inclined to think that many people hunger for goodness and wellness. They do not get media attention. Their leavening presence in troubled times is hope generating! 

Our homes are places of such a hope for children to grow up with! The parenting role becomes even more critical during times, when humans loose the generosity of thought and deed towards others! 

The flowers above thrived beyond the adversity of weather! 

In the recently published book, Way finders-true stories of Vocational Choices, Challenges, and Turning Points,  Dr Reena George recalled the biography of Dr Elizabeth Blackwell (p 89-103), who in 1845 felt called to study medicine against all odds. She became  the first woman doctor who went on to establish a medical school in the USA and inspir women to train in medicine in Britain. During these long years, she was rejected admission in many medical schools. Having completed her study at Geneva Medical school, New York, she had to wait to receive her graduation, as there was resistance to have a woman doctor on the roll of the university. During her advanced training in Paris, she lost the sight in one eye due to a severe infection. None of these obstacles or travails stopped her from pursuing to be a light for women to join for medical studies. In fact in some medical colleges I know in India now, the women students exceed the number of men students! Her inspiration to study medicine came from a comment by a terminally ill woman, who said to her, 'you are fond of study, have health and leisure. Why not study medicine! If I could have been treated by a lady doctor, my worst sufferings would have been spared me' (p89). 

The human becoming is a process which begins in our homes! We owe to our children to support them to grow in an ambience of the home where goodness, kindness and mindfulness form the language of communication!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

 

The Giver's journey!

I received a message from the general secretary of the UESI yesterday about the home calls of Mr P.C.Varghese and his wife Mrs. Saramma Varghese. Both of them seem to have moved on a few hours apart from each other.

Mr P.C.Varghese, an associate General Secretary of the UESI and Mrs Varghese a faculty in agricultural science in Allahabad agricultural university were people who would be remembered for their self giving regards and thoughts for students as they invested in their lives for their  spiritual formation. 

I remember meeting PC in a student camp as a medical student and what influenced my life was his genuine concern and interest in the lives of students. As a third year medical student, I was looking out into the future, with opportunities wide open to move  overseas after completing the studies. That was what I noticed among my seniors in the college at Nagpur. It was during the time in the camp, PC raised a question as to whether I have visited a mission hospital. 

The same year, there was an opportunity to meet with Dr A.K.Tharien of Christian Fellowship Hospital, when he came to Nagpur. He invited me to visit the hospital at Oddanchatram. It was during the visit  in the summer of 1969, I experienced a world of realities in rural India and the valuable contribution a mission hospital offers to people who live in difficult circumstances. The hospital providing tube wells for residents in the villages, offering livelihood by giving goats to rear, offering mid day meal to children at school and starting Balwadi pre-school programme for children in the villages, gave me an introduction to life-centred approach practiced by a mission hospital. 

The traction to remain in India and be involved in a needy area o service was planted in my heart thorough the question PC asked me. Although I had only short periods at N.M Wadia hospital at Pune and C.F.hospital at Oddanchatram during my working years, I felt rooted in the consciousness of being engaged in a needy area of service. It so happened that the needy area of service that Anna and I explored was  child development and rehabilitation at Chennai, Nagpur, and Vellore.

As I recollect, PC was the voice of concern and reason that prompted me to set aside the traction to follow the trend of that time to look for opportunities of training and working overseas. I feel grateful that his question opened a new outlook to life and opportunity to be professionally engaged!

PC was a giver in many ways to many students all over the country! When I look at the last photo of flowers from our garden above, I notice the petals showing the strain of the heat of the day with the edges beginning to crumble!

I recall a season in the life of PC when the work setting became dry and straining that he moved out to be a minister at large. It was during that season I had another long season of contact with him. He carried hurts and disappointments on account several changes he experienced at his work place. But the graceful way he was growing in reconciling that situation with peace and comfort was the bright side of his 'Gethsemene experience' !

To see PC living his calling with magnanimity, acceptance and forgiving heart was a true demonstration of a pilgrim's journey focussed on his calling and direction in life. 

A law graduate by training he had a gift in apologia presentation of the life and mission of Jesus of Nazareth to students ! His personal conversational style was intimate and upbuilding. He brought a spark of comfort and hope to his listeners. He was a light to many who needed handholding to move on. 

I recollect his teachings from the life of Jesus of Nazareth, which carried a message of love, acceptance and forgiveness. His style of communication warmed the hearts of listeners. He was a student of the Scripture and widely read because of which he brought freshness and new insights in his presentations. 

PC lived being a plant, flowering and blessing others with his life and words. He blessed others by living his vocation. Now he rests in his eternal home. 

His smile and warmth are the memorials in my heart!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

 

The parenting strength!

I was fascinated by the sight of the thickness of the stem on which a small custard apple was hanging in our garden! I wondered if such a thick stalk was needed to carry the weight of a fruit which is only about 200 grams in weight. Is it  a unique feature of this variety of custard apple ?

A cloe look at other fruits and flower bearing plants confirmed my suspicion that it is the pattern in the trees and plants that they bear flowers and fruits in stems that are strong enough to hold them. The fruits and flowers therefore remain protected and supported!

It is into a home a baby is born! That home holds the growing baby by its supportive, protective and enabling role! The stem and stalk that hold the fruits and flowers above, are disproportionately strong to bear the small weight of the fruits and flowers! 

That was a message that intrigued me! 

It is from a position of strength the plants support the flowers and fruits. 

A closer look at the resilience of the homes is necessary to find if the homes are well anchored to support and nurture children!

I confess from my observations that the supporting role of homes in the formative journey of children is fragile and weak when children face challenges or disadvantages. The five stages of psycho-social formation till an infant becomes a young adult according to Erick Erikson, are through stages of Trust, Autonomy, Initiative, Industry, and Identity. How dependent children are in the home and parenting support in this journey of their formative development!

I took time to review my experiences of the role of home and parenting when children go through demanding experiences! What occurred to me is that formal services to augment the ability of parents and the supportive role of a home to strengthen their resources when children go through vulnerable seasons of life do not exist adequately!

In the recent years, a small initiative that Anna and I are part of to help in forming Parenting Forum in  couple of cities, gives us an impression that such initiatives give a new flavour and direction to the parenting experiences of some families.  

Strengthening parents and the home environment shall offer promising prospects towards making parenting more effective for children to feel secure while in transitional stages of development!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)