THIS HAPPENS: VOLUME XXXXVII

THIS HAPPENS: VOLUME XXXXVII

Dr. Gangadhar Sahoo

Biochemistry is a difficult subject. It was more a difficult subject in 1970-71. I was in SCB Medical College Cuttack. Prof. N.C. Panda was the HOD. Prof. Basudev Kar and another faculty  with M.Sc.Biochemistry degree were the teachers along with two demonstrators. Prof. Panda was tall  with a wrestler's body, a seriously grave face with pock marks and two big revolving eyes. He was talking like an English man to show that he had returned from America flooded with knowledge. The look of Prof Panda was enough to create palpitations in any student.
He was taking a theory class in the old departmental lecture theatre. It was originally the class of Prof. Kar. Because he was on leave, Prof. Panda was taking his class. In the middle of the class he marked that one of the students was sitting idle without writing anything and staring at his face. It was a very uncommon event in his class.
Observing that he asked the student to stand up. "What is your name?"Asked Prof. Panda.
"Barun Kumar Mohanty", was his reply.
"What happened? You are not taking any note of the subject, only sitting and staring at me!" asked Prof. Panda.
Barun replied, "Sorry Sir, I haven't come with your class notebook as it was Basu Kar's class."
"Whose class is it?, please repeat ."
"Sir, Basu Kar's class."replied Barun with same expression.
Prof. Panda's face turned red and he roared at Barun, "What is your father's name?"
By that time Barun had started trembling and with a stammering voice replied, "Rama Chandra Mohanty, Sir."
"Why not Ramu Mohanty? What will you feel if someone tells your father's name as Ramu Mohanty in place of Rama Chandra  Mohanty ? Similarly don't you have the courtesy to tell your teacher's name correctly? Can't you tell Prof. Basudev Kar in stead of Basu Kar that too  repeatedly you are uttering the same without feeling guilty . Is he your friend? Is this  the manners you have learned at your home and in your schools ?"
Whole class was looking at Barun and observing his reaction.
Barun calmly told," Sorry Sir, it will not be repeated in future. I promise."
By that time Prof. Panda had cooled down. He told Barun, “You go and meet Prof. Kar, confess before him what you have done in the class and beg apology. "        
That night Barun could not sleep. The words of Prof. Panda was echoing in his years. As soon as the first rays of the sun was sprayed on the earth he got ready to go to the college and meet Prof. Kar. When he reached the department of Biochemistry he saw Prof Kar was also entering into the department.
"Hi ,Gopal ! So early? Any urgent work ?" asked Prof.Kar . He had this knack of calling students in peculiar  names like "Gopal, Chagala, Baia , Haladhar , Chuda .....etc." Students were very much fond of it and were enjoying it. Barun touched Prof. Kar ' s  feet and told that he had come to meet him. "What's the matter? Please come. Take your seat. Be comfortable. Need water? " Prof Kar made Barun to feel comfortable.
After formal talk for a few minutes with Barun he asked him to tell his story freely without any fear. By that time Barun had gained confidence and he narrated the whole story that happened in the class the day before.
Prof. Kar patiently listened to Barun and told, "You see  Barun , I know very well that years after years students call me Basu Kar. I am more popular as Basu Kar in this world than Prof. Basudev Kar. I am proud of my short name. You must have heard the name of the legendary physician Prof. Raghu Nath Sahoo. No body on this earth call him in this official name. He is more famous and more popular as Raghu Sahoo. He likes it. How people call you doesn't matter. It matters the most that people are happy and comfortable with that name. Similarly your adress 'Basu Kar' has not hurt me. Rather I like it. It's not such an offense committed by you so that you will beg apology. I have nothing in my mind nor I am carrying any bad impression on you. Having said that you should remember that you will be a doctor. The difference between an average doctor and a good doctor is their behavior. You will be dealing with your friends, junior, seniors, teachers, patients, their attendants, public...etc. Learn good manners. Learn to deal with different situations. The words once told can't be returned. Words can make or break a situation. Take care. Be a good human being first, then a good doctor. "
This might be a small incidence but it was a great lesson not only for Barun but for all medical students and trainees.   

Prof Gangadhar Sahoo is a well-known Gynaecologist. He is a columnist and an astute Academician. He was the Professor and HOD of O&G Department of VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE, Burla.He is at present occupying the prestigious post of DEAN, IMS & SUM HOSPITAL, BHUBANESWAR and the National Vice President of ISOPARB (INDIAN SOCIETY OF PERINATOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY). He has been awarded the BEST TEACHER AWARD of VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE,BURLA in 2013. He has contributed CHAPTERS in 13 books and more than 100 Scientific Articles in State, National and International Journals of high repute. He is a National Faculty in National Level and delivered more than 200 Lectures in Scientific Conventions.He was adjudged the BEST NATIONAL SPEAKER in ISOPARB NATIONAL CONVENTION in 2016.