The idea “To make this world a liveable place” the words of the great Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam still echo in his ears and is one of the strongest driving forces for him. Being a doctor is one of the greatest privileges bestowed upon him and it has helped him to become a better person.
As a doctor, meeting hundreds of patients everyday (considering the opds in government hospitals, that count is still low) and getting to interact with them, one learns how to be patient with patients who are running high on emotions whether the loss of a loved one or their own dismal health and the long time of waiting for appointments. One gradually understands that most people in India are not so privileged to afford basic amenities, healthcare being one of them; let alone education. So their last respite becomes government funded hospitals, schools, ration shops and other upliftment programmes.
Being a doctor, undoubtedly one can serve thousands of patients in their life, and add to the human cost but there is still so much more that a doctor can do as a civil servant. Being a civil servant just broadens the horizons on which one can perform duties and being a doctor at the same time, it is icing on the cake.
As a doctor one knows the ground reality in the government operated healthcare services and the lacuna present in it. Especially in the healthcare sector, doctors can start a revolution! And as it is said in cricket “one brings two”…The good that one does will inspire others to follow same.
The humble, cheerful and giving nature of doctors will help in interacting with people of all classes just as it is done in hospitals. Civil services demand a lot of time and one’s life is not personal anymore, a doctor’s presence will be required 24*7 and sleepless nights will be a daily routine but since as a doctor, one having already done emergency postings, it won’t be too much of a trouble to go out there and handle situations with those dark circles under the eyes.
Indian Police Service will require one to deal with cases involving homicide and suicides; here the 2nd year lectures of Forensic medicine and toxicology come into play. One will be quick on hands to know what the right thing to do is and what events could have led to the casualty.
Not just the Indian Police Service but in all the civil services, attitude matters. How calmly one can handle the situations and how strong one has to be to avoid giving into pity politics and corruption. A civil servant will have to deal with all the politics without favouritism. Just as a doctor does not see the surname, colour of the skin, clothes of a patient while treating them a civil servant does his duty constitutionally and for him every individual is a citizen(or just an inhabitant in some cases) of the country.
It doesn’t matter if one is in the field or in the hospital, when there is goodness in the heart one won’t wrong. Yes, civil services demand more of a doctor, but one can create an impact that can change life of hundreds, thousands and lakhs of people.
“Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” – Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
And as he said the idea is to make this world a liveable place!