My mother who had a yearning for higher education, but deprived of the opportunity because of the social customs prevalent during her time was the major motivating factor.  She wanted me to rise to the highest level of education possible, which became the driving force to achieve the highest level of professional education.

I am a board-certified physician in public health-preventive medicine trained at the Harvard school of Public health.  I’m also a fellow of the American Board of Gen. Preventive Medicine.  My early medical education was at the prestigious Lady Harding medical school in New Delhi, where I completed my basic medical training and also a doctorate in preventive and social medicine.  Life’s opportunity took me to Nairobi, East Africa, where I was appointed in charge of the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s Africa Mobile Unit.  

The job was challenging but very rewarding as I trained Africa’s healthcare workers in public health and also supervised as well as provide care at its various mobile clinics throughout Kenya.  Africa’s natural beauty was captivating, however the desire to achieve higher objectives brought me to Boston in 1974 for Masters In Public Health & then fellowship to the Harvard School of Public Health in 1975.

With my basic training as a physician followed by postgraduate training in Gynecology and my later exposure to Preventive Medicine and Public health equipped me to offer comprehensive services to women and children.  At a later stage I incorporated basic principles of integrated medicine in my practice.  My personal joy is complimenting my allopathic training with my acquired knowledge of principles of alternative healthcare.  My recent interest in inculcating sensitivity training to policing professionals arose from the various incidents where there was a question of lack of ethnic insight or sensitivity.  I strongly believe that it is part and parcel of preventive care.

I have had the distinct privilege of being an Indian woman physician in the United States in the late 70s, when there were not many women physicians and it seemed like a male dominated profession.  My first office was at the most prestigious and sought after medical office building at 1180 Beacon St., Brookline, Massachusetts.  I was fortunate to serve a very large group of young female patients from the neighboring colleges and hospitals.

  However, that is not to say that I did not have a fair share of older patients who were drawn to my practice because of my Indian background, rubber stamp of compassion and caring as well as for a very high standard of medical care that became the hallmark of our practice.  Some of my patients came from the very exclusive and elite Boston families and world-renowned female musicians.  I believe that success is not a passive phenomenon; one has to actively achieve the place through education and hard work without losing sight of compassion.

My advice to young female physicians is to be the best there is but without losing sight of our wonderful heritage of giving and humility.  I would not commit the heresy of having anybody follow my footsteps, but rather advise them to do better and achieve much, more than I have as I believe life is dynamic.

I believe the best advice I could give women  is not to give up their dreams.  Especially when adversities block the way.  To remain focused at all times and taking some small steps to achieve the goal that they have charted for themselves.  However, it is important to be at peace within oneself and act in good faith as a model global citizen.

Balance in life is most difficult.  We have to make sacrifices and also learn to accept deficiencies and celebrate successes with the same breath.  The question is not that of excellence with the achievements of your life partner, but the fact how one can adapt with imperfections and idiosyncrasies and make changes by leading  an exemplary life.  The two physician family is not an exception to the rule.  Thankfully my personal experience has been quite fulfilling.

I wish I could give a simple cookbook formula for parenting. We are blessed to have great children . They learn watching you. Once again, great understanding, open communication and outpouring of love are what I advise to every parent.  Nurturing is the most important factor as our children will one day become parents too.  I have always believed in our rich heritage and it has therefore been in my burning desire to leave my children with the same and equal love for our heritage. We did give them a great exposure. They went to Sunday school at Shishu Bharti, Bharat Natyam classes,summer camps, music lessons and exposed them to all the cultures.  I have to thank both my children for their enduring love and ability to comprehend as well as follow through with our advice-I could not have done without them. They are good Global Citizens.

My community is my passion.  It obviously percolates and infuses into my life’s work with IAGB, AAPI, IMANE, Lady Harding alumni and so many others.  I have been fortunate of the gift of love, education and understanding and it is only natural for me to share with others in the community.  

My advice to those who believe in working for the community not to have personal expectations or believe that their participation would bring them publicity, but serve the community without an expectation of returns.  For those who have not experienced community service I invite them to just take one sip as it is very addictive.

The juggling act of serving the community, maintaining a professional life, parenting and other work commitments is not sacrifices.  As time goes on one developed the ability to prioritize work.  My ability to multitask comes from my learned ability to schedule my life and keeping a clear calendar of work.  My joy and also secret is the fact that each member of my family has assisted me at each station in my life.  I believe that the interdependence is a great formula.

My thoughts of IAGB Independence Day celebrations are to continue with the highest aspirations.  Given the fact that I AGB grew from small steps it is now a fully grown association representing the interest of one of the most successful and high achieving ethnic groups in the United States.  I believe that we must continue to give the best face possible, to inculcate and expose our rich cultural heritage and a symbiosis with the Western culture.  I have great expectations of the present executive committee that is proactive however they have a yeoman’s job achieving the highest goals that they have set before them-my best wishes.  I am a dreamer, and I know that dreams come true.  if you work hard. Anil Saigal & his team is working very hard & they are our Heroes.

There are so many people that interplay in our life, whom, we emulate and also learn from.  My mind goes to, mother Theresa, Helen Keller, my mother , Rani Lakshmi Bai-Jhansi Ki Rani and so many others who inculcated, understanding of value and experiences that make life. From the younger group I have admiration for Kiran Bedi, Malala Yousufji & Ekta Kapoor

We all naturally have the value of the close connectivity with our mothers, I am lucky to have had a mother who was always encouraging me to do my best.  Of course my father was my first male mentor; my husband and I are like-minded people...  He plays a major role in all my projects and ambitions.  And likewise, I am my husband’s best advocate and he refers to me as his moral compass!

My philosophy on  is very simple.  As I believe in simple living, living for the present, enjoying all that life has to offer each day of my life, aspire to give happiness to others, and my greatest joy is traveling.  I love to keep in touch with friends from the past, present, and live each day to make new connections and liaisons.

I am open to ideas, always available to learn or help.  I do not give up easily and I am tenacious kind of consistent and unbreakable.  I love Boston.  It gives me the freedom to choose and pursue my dreams.  It’s one of the most pro-choice cities in the US with tremendous institutes to learn from and practice new things.

There are so many happy moments in our lives that it is difficult to weed out one over the other however I was overjoyed when I was awarded a fellowship to the East West Ctr., Honolulu, Hawaii in 1969.  The Fellowship was established in 1960 to help bring about an international understanding between the people of the world and the US.  Of course, nothing parallels motherhood is, I believe that the birth of my children were the climaxing moments of my life.

We all have low points in our life; mine was when I received the news of my cancer. I believe that a positive attitude and constant connectivity with family and friends was the bonus-I am fortunate to say that I am a cancer survivor!  There are many other low points; death of a near and dear family member is a tearing experience  which brings sadness to the innermost core of our lives.  However, we learn to survive and continue living.

 

Like most, I let the discipline of daily exercise routine but I must say that I try my best to do some sort of exercises on a routine basis.  I love yoga, which gives me physical and mental fortitude.  Meditation is another strength that I depend on.

I believe that you are what you eat and therefore for the beauty routine I advise a healthy diet and avoid habits like smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages in excess, drinking carbonated drinks, and using medical technology to one’s advantage.  I believe in natural beauty.

I love the message that some of our Scriptures such as Bhagavad-Gita offer.  My recent favorite is my husband’s publication, “Mind's Eye a Vision into the Depth of Consciousness”.  I have so many other works of literature that it would be impossible to enumerate.

I love old songs and inspirational music.  However, if I have to give an example, it would be, “Nanhe Munne Bachche Teri Muthi me Kya Hey” (Mohamed Rafi and Asha Bhosle- Boot Polish)  an inspirational song that my mum sang to me and I in turn sang to my children and now sing to my grand children. 

Do you like to cook? Do you have a favorite dish? 

Yes I love to cook- my favorite is Daal, Jhore curry ,gulab Jamuns (which my son believes I make the best) and meat/chicken kababus that my grand children absolutely love.

I love my ability of spontaneity – Joy in the most trifle things

My words of wisdom, “Keep smiling as it is the shortest distance between you and others”. To have an open mind, and love and respect all and to be good global citizens. 

Stay in love, falling in love is easy; staying in love is special as you have to continually work hard.