She is Dr. Shraddha Upasani- my mother's younger sister, that's why my Mavshi(maternal aunt). She is a renowned Gynaecologist, practicing in Mulund since more than 50 years now. She might have dealt with 3-4 generations of patients in her long and illustrious practice. Today is her birthday (born on 03.09.1942) and she completes 83 years. But she is fit & active as ever. When it was her 60th birthday in 2002, we , her relatives, compiled a book called 'श्रध्दास्थान.'
I too had written an article in that book. This Blog is the same article. But believe me that all that I have written still applies to her and even more.
(I thank my cousin sister Anjali (Sanjyot Sarawate) for giving typewritten text and also for the photos.)
The first aspect is of course her work where she stands as a beacon - a guiding light to all of us. The total commitment that she has shown for such a sustained period of time in her work is amazing. Although few would argue that now she should relax a bit, she has in fact channelized all her energies into her profession. The glitz, glamour and glory (in terms of awards, TV interviews etc.) has in fact formally recognized the kind of hard work and commitment that she has given to reach such heights.
If I start to think what it must take to run institutions like hospitals almost single handedly, I see a truly professionally evolved person in Shashi mavshi. Commitment and efforts, a vision about the future, effective time and resource management, updating with recent advances in the field when all put together will give you a mantra straight out of a B - school. But she has through her actions implemented this mantra to set an example. These institutions have likewise immortalized her work. They are the testimony of the kind of good work that she has done and goodwill she has generated in her profession.
Modern medicine and its branches have undergone many technical advances in last few decades. Her profession of Gynaecology - Obstetrics is no exception to it. To take a simple example, USG - which is so common now, was a far shot, say 25-30 yrs back. Laparoscopy, different operation techniques have furthered the horizons of the science. Imbibing these methods and techniques into already established practice is a part of her evolving professional skills and competence.
Most important aspect of her work is the CARE of the patient. No hospital will grow without this. She has kept patient as core - to whom her maximum time and services are available, for whom the resources (like staff, other facilities and food also ) are of the best available quality and thus patients get value for their money. Medical stores, USG & all other modern tests and investigation facilities are in fact the value addition for patients for whom it becomes a one-stop, time-saving proposition.
I am also quite astonished with her interest in general medicine. Generally speaking, if you are a specialist in one particular branch of medicine, you tend to shut off knowledge in other branches. But fortunately this has not happened with Shashi mavshi. And so we find her ably treating, diagnosing, managing or even operating for all sorts of illnesses. The best example for this is that once she diagnosed a rare entity like Kala-azaar in one of our relatives where even well qualified and experienced physicians were groping in dark and stretching the patience of the patient to maximum limit.
Above all, she is a true 'Healer' in the real sense of word. There are so many people who confide in her their problems and she becomes their 'Friend, Philosopher and Guide' acting as buffer/catalyst or soother. In this way too, she makes a lot of difference to other people's lives. And if all this was not enough, she has spontaneously helped financially to so many people in dire straits. This without blowing any trumpet or without being pompous about it. And her attitude towards those people doesn't change a bit. She is her usual self, as if she had done nothing great. This hand of generosity, coming when it is required most, has helped people to literally to come out of life threatening illnesses, or make their careers. She has always BEEN THERE when it is required. Isn't that yet another form of CARE ? She is thus a KALPATARU for all of us - standing tall, yet serving & caring for everybody in every possible way.
When you give a major part of yourself for others, at personal level have very little space for you. Especially for a woman, this applies all you the more. When career is a priority, family tends to come second and then self. But I think Shashi mavshi has wonderfully balanced between work and family, even if that may have meant lot of stretching of her own resources. At the family level, she has ably and aptly fulfilled the roles of wife, daughter-in-law, mother eldest sister - in - law etc. All these roles are demanding and full of expectations. It is a tight - rope walk to live up to these roles and they test sensitivity to excel in profession such as hers.
And then of course there are these aspects of her which brings her closer to lesser mortals like us- she loves the rainy weather (especially, damp cold weather with cold winds blowing), craves for ice cream, likes to cook and serve (आग्रह करणे is her strong forte) and yes, amidst all her busy schedule, she tries to find time for her favourite TV serials (previously 'Saans', Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka etc). Those who know her will always recall the noise of her effervescent, cascading, fountainous laugh. This bubbly smile is as good as her trademark.
She also loves poetry. I have a faint inkling that she might, even be penning few of them by herself. I don't see any better way to end my article than by quoting few lines from two poems.
HERE'S WISHING HER
Happy 60th Birthday.
Many Many Happy Returns of the Day !!......
देखणे जे हात ज्यांनी नवागता आणिले
मंगलाने गंधलेले सुंदराचे सोहळे
देखणी ती पाऊले जी ध्यासपंथे चालिती
वाळवंटातुन सुध्दा स्वस्तिपदमे रेखिती
(बा. भ. बोरकर)
And also-
Some People seem to specialize
In doing thoughtful Deeds.
Before you ask, they understand
Your problems & your needs.
Quietly, they do their best.
To help, inspire & cheer,
And everything looks brighter
Right away, because They're near.
They always have a lot to do
But still find time to spare
To listen and to give advice,
Because They really care.
They find joy in making others Happy.
They make this world a better place
By Practicing the art of
reaching out to others
And by giving...........from the Heart.
(Amanda Bradley)
