MY LAST WORKING DAY IN VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE, BURLA

MY LAST WORKING DAY IN VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE, BURLA

Dr. Gangadhar Sahoo

I entered into VSS Medical College as a postgraduate student in ObGy in June 1976 and passed out after 3 years in July 1979 . After conquering the PSC for Medical College Teachers, I joined the same college as faculty (Clinical tutor) on 23rd December 1985 . I continued there till the date of my retirement (31st May 2012) as Professor and HOD . Truly it was a record breaking career, 3 years as postgraduate student and 27 years as a medical college teacher , totaling 30 years in one  Medical College. I had  experienced the life of a student as well as  of a teacher in VSS Medical College Burla. My prime of life was spent there.
31st May 2012 is a day to remember.  An exhausting official busy life came to an end. Got the official letter of superannuation from the office of the Dean to relinquish the charge of HOD ObGy to the next senior faculty.
As usual I got up from bed at 4.30 am in the morning. My mother was ready with her hand made cup of tea. Finished the cup in one breath, started reading for one hour, completed my routine work as usual and drove to the Baba Ishaneswar temple. There in a green environment on the bank of river Mahanadi with a cool breeze blowing I had a walk for 30 minutes and 15 minutes of prayer. Returned home feeling totally relaxed. Before starting for my work place I took blessings of my mother. It was not a routine practice. Out of surprise she asked if there was any auspicious occasion or any serious operation in the hospital. I simply replied, “I am going to start a new chapter in my life."  From her vacant look, I could imagine that she could not make head and tail of it. In reply she prayed to Lord Jagannath for my success.
That was my OT day and the last OT day of my official assignment. I felt no difference. It was a busy OT schedule.
I reached the OT dot on time. OT was ready. I was supposed to take up the cancer cervix case. She was a widow from the outskirts of Sambalpur town. She had only one son. Her son had told that her mother should be operated on by me at any cost even if it is the last day of my Govt. Service. To my good luck I could keep my words.

The operation took around 3 hours. Then I came to the office, signed all the necessary documents. Officially I handed over the charge to Dr.Puspanjali Khuntia, Associate Prof.ObGy. I invited all the staff of the department to my office and we all enjoyed a cup of ice-cream. I said goodbye to all, gave a postoperative round to see all cases operated that day specially the cancer cervix case.
I came back home. By that time my mother had known that I retired from Government service that day. When she saw me she was so happy one cannot imagine. She said, "Now my son will breathe peacefully. He will have time to take care of us. He will be free from hospital problems, staff problems, student problems etc. At least he will have a sound sleep at night."  
But that was not to be. There were around 10 patients from far off areas waiting for consultation. I examined them all . It was 2 pm. I had my launch. By that time the vehicle of Samaleswari Nursing Home had reached my residence. There was an ovarian cancer patient waiting to be operated. She was a young lady within her 30s, slim, fair complex, highly educated and a relative of a senior doctor. With full care I completed the operation. That operation was the beginning of my new chapter . From that day I had not looked back. I missed the academics. But kept myself busy in clinical practice.
In the evening there was a departmental farewell. That was the last occasion to meet all under one roof. Really it was a moment of ecstasy as well as sorrow, a moment to be cherished and forgotten. My association with VSS Medical College was a half century history of that prestigious institution. One exceptional as well as remarkable thing was that I had not taken farewell from my college. So till today I still feel that I am a bona-fide member of VSS Medical College. I still believe that I am an integral part of this institution.                              
After a few months I got an offer to join as a Professor ObGyn in IMS AND SUM HOSPITAL, Bhubaneswar. I accepted that gleefully. Then after two years I was blessed to be the Dean of that prestigious institution.
Last day of any assignment is memorable. One can not recover the past . If one has done justice to one's earlier assignment one will enjoy the post retirement life. By serving in one institution from entry to exit one will transfer the institution to a home. One will produce thousands of students who are the true successors to carry your legacy. If you are a true physician, retirement doesn't make any difference.
I am proud to be a teacher and healer.

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.