With a prompt like 'Outside my Window' for this #WordsMatter bloghop, I actually had a whole article prepared in my mind, showcasing the early effects of the rains in Kerala, keeping in mind the devastating floods that hit us last year around this time.
I ditched that post.
You see, I barely look out the window of my house. Most of my awake life is spent inside a hospital doing surgeries. And those glass panels on the operation theater doors... those are the windows I am most familiar with. But you aren't.
What you see in this image is not a painting but real life. It is a random glimpse into what I have seen everyday of my life in different cities and states of India since over a decade. It is not just a random operation. It is so much more.
But it isn't about a century ago. In India even today, across so many sections and strata of society, each of the above - to become a mother without suffering pain, to be loved for being a girl child (or even allowed to take your first breath for the heinous crime of being a girl inside a womb), to have access to quality healthcare or to perform your job without having it being dissected by a male superior - is an impossible dream.
That needs to change. That change comes by acknowledging we have a long way to go.
When I look 'inside my window' in my operation theater, I see hope in four different and significant forms. I would be happy if I knew these same hopes - a woman without pain, a girl who is loved, safe healthcare for all and women leading the way at the work place - existed, in every sense of the word, outside these hospital windows too, out there in the rest of this country.
Surely, something is wrong if it is safer for a woman, her baby and her surgeon to be inside an operation theater than out in the streets of India.
I ditched that post.
You see, I barely look out the window of my house. Most of my awake life is spent inside a hospital doing surgeries. And those glass panels on the operation theater doors... those are the windows I am most familiar with. But you aren't.
What you see in this image is not a painting but real life. It is a random glimpse into what I have seen everyday of my life in different cities and states of India since over a decade. It is not just a random operation. It is so much more.
- It is a young woman who has just become a mother without suffering any pain during birth.
- It is a new baby girl who has just moments ago come out and taken the first ever breath of her life. Her first cry. Her first kiss from her mother who was happy to have a daughter in the family now.
- It is an operation theater with enough facilities to ensure that the mother being operated upon is monitored and safe every second of the surgery, a privilege millions of women in India cannot access even today.
- It is an operation theater filled with women and women alone, from the surgeon to her assistant and anaesthesiologist, something that would have been considered ridiculous less than a century ago.
But it isn't about a century ago. In India even today, across so many sections and strata of society, each of the above - to become a mother without suffering pain, to be loved for being a girl child (or even allowed to take your first breath for the heinous crime of being a girl inside a womb), to have access to quality healthcare or to perform your job without having it being dissected by a male superior - is an impossible dream.
That needs to change. That change comes by acknowledging we have a long way to go.
When I look 'inside my window' in my operation theater, I see hope in four different and significant forms. I would be happy if I knew these same hopes - a woman without pain, a girl who is loved, safe healthcare for all and women leading the way at the work place - existed, in every sense of the word, outside these hospital windows too, out there in the rest of this country.
Surely, something is wrong if it is safer for a woman, her baby and her surgeon to be inside an operation theater than out in the streets of India.
Authors note
I received this tag from Suzy at Someday Somewhere. It’s my pleasure to pass on this tag to Shilpa at Fiction And I.
There are 47 of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over 3 days – 2, 3, 4 August.
Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop, an initiative started by the Frangipani Creative!
It is a positive and encouraging post. Thanks for always spreading hope and positivity.
ReplyDeleteCheers to that! I am waiting for the day when we don't have to describe this image as an all-women crew anymore! Its true equality if women and men just go about their work without being tagged because of their gender. We have a long way to go, but we have come a long way too! Loved the positivity of your post. Keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteAs a mother of an anaesthetist I'm so happy to have a view of your world (and hers too). Though I've had six operations in my life so far, I've never seen the OT from the outside inside. And as for women's safety, I often think it is safer to be a cow in India than a woman.
ReplyDeleteSo very beautifully penned doc.
ReplyDeleteYour last line "Surely, something is wrong if it is safer for a woman, her baby and her surgeon to be inside an operation theater than out in the streets of India" sums up the multiple issues very well. Here's to the women of India. Looking forward to the day, when a generation reads this post and is aghast that such things even existed.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely view outside your window and I'm glad you could share it with us. Here's hoping positive change continues to occur.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful take on the prompt, Doc Rosh, but then beautiful writing laced with compassion is expected of you now :)
ReplyDeleteAmen to your 4 hopes, the world will surely be a better place if they come true.
We need more people who talk about the issue like you did here. Though only a few sectors of our country and few professions have seen this change, still there is a lot that needs to be done to achieve this collective goal. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and writing this inspirational piece.
ReplyDelete@Balaka, I am glad you feel that way. I was actually worried it would be considered a negative post.
ReplyDelete@Jyothi... at some point, I had hoped we were already there - not having to point out how awesome an all women crew is. But there has been a regression once more. All the more important to ensure we call it out.
ReplyDelete@bellybytes, didnt know the anaesthetist connection with you :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, it is ridiculous that it isnt satire that cows are safer than women in some states of India.
@Shini thank you :)
ReplyDelete@Suzy, I wait for that day too... I fear we will not live long to see it though :(
@Sanch... thanks. Hope so too.
ReplyDelete@DA, high praise... thanks a lot :)
@Keerthi, thanks. Yes, more people need to talk up. More so now than ever before.
This is a rather rare view.Thank you for the privilege of watching it through your post. That last line is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteAmen for all 4 hopes. Mass is still at large of denying equality to all genders and safety is shaken cry. Dr. Roshan you summed up the entire ordeal in a single line.
ReplyDeleteEnough and more women have broken stereotypes, yet it seems we have a long way to go! The view from your side of the window is something rare for lay, non-medicos to view, so thanks for sharing it. I hope reading this widens more minds.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am speechless, wondering what to write here.
ReplyDeleteIt's a dream and a hope that a man has--and not many men would have such hopes for the women of their country, believe me! Times are changing and so are men, but that is a small percentage of men who hope for such a change. The majority still think that a woman's place is at their feet, in the kitchen, or in a dumpster.
A very touching post, Roshan. Just goes to show what a beautiful human being you are and that there's hope for the women of this country! May your tribe increase!
Thank you!
This is a dream which all of us have. I am sure that with changing things we will live to see that day. Thanks for sharing this, doc!
ReplyDeleteI hope this dream comes true. I had in recent years taken a flight by an all woman crew. And people made some nasty faces. But, to be honest, it was one of the best landings I had. One of the school vans in my locality is driven by a woman. It just feels so right. But, more than that, I think should be the awareness that nobody has the right to violate anybody, and least of all to get away with it. Then we can have a safe environment.
ReplyDeleteWow, What a view from the window.
ReplyDeleteI wish a safe environment for women all over the world.
Your last line is heart touching and yet at the same time a strong message.
Beautifully penned down and your last line took me by my heart really
ReplyDeleteIn todays world of heinous crimes being reported against women in our country, this is indeed a refreshing post.Your POV from the theater window is heartening to note doc- thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteAnother post that hits straight to the heart of things, Roshan.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin is working with the GOI to train midwives across the country, so that women have better access to professionals during their pregnancy and child birth.
While the Government is ready to do this, with a lot of support from the UK, I wonder how they can sit on their hands and watch the blatant abuse of women.
Beautiful post as always, Roshan. This is a refreshing take on the prompt and very relevant in the present time. Thanks for participating in the bloghop. Hope you had fun!
ReplyDeleteSlow claps! Loved loved loved this post!
ReplyDeleteThe picture and the description gave me goosebumps. So empowering and thoughtful. Thank you for sharing this snippet of your life.
ReplyDeleteOnly you can give us a glimpse like this. Thank you for what you do for the many many patients of yours. Stay blessed doc. I’m glad you chose this take for #WordsMatter.
ReplyDelete