The medicos in Chennai have entered the 13th day of strike for a pay hike. Currently the interns are paid 4500 and they want it to be increased to national standards. This varies quite a bit with the high of 10000 in Delhi and Kerala.
Today 22 students escalated the strike to a fast -unto -death mode.
This reminded me of the strike during our internship; when the pay hike was increased to 1000. Also the contribution of brave heart Raghuram who had to be admitted in the GH- ICU after his fasting. Did I mention that he refused IV fluids for our cause.
If I have forgotten to mention other brave hearts please help me in recognising them,
Prabhakar
ReplyDeleteThat was no braveheart. I was causing so much trouble in the camp that, the previous night they decided to wake me up & forced me to fake a faint and get rid of me from the group. Blood glucose was normal but urinary ketones was highly positive (Believe me I was fasting but not fainted). There was still reserve in me. But those b******ds pulled me out to the ICU.
The people around me and spectators wouldnt believe that a person who has been starving for 48 hours can make so much noise. My presence was producing doubts amongst spectators regarding the genuinity of the fast. Hence the brave heart face.
I was not quiet even in the medical ICU,I started shouting at the RMO Dr.Seerkazhi Sivasubramanian. He recognised me instantly when I went back for post graduation. He was surprised that I got this far in my career (understandable). This was in 93 when I met him in MMC.
This episode does bring fond memories of our past. It united us for a common cause which made it the first of its kind. Several others followed after this but was never as successful as our strike. Our demands were met in full.
It did start off in a funny way when I encouraged all of us to go out for picketing (I can't remember where) and expected to be arrested and released the same day. To our surprise and horror we were remanded to central jail for 14 days without bail. Some of the girls from our class started shouting at me saying, "You said we can go home in the evening ya, I did not even bring my lunch box". My dad will kill me if he knows I am in Jail. I should have never trusted you ya"
However Professor Naga was seriously reading for his FRCS exams whilst we were fighting for our rights. What can you say about the dedication of this young budding doctor.
Each and everyone of our classmates contributed to this strike. Great experience. funny at times.
I will recall some of the events as they occur to me. Can't remember all of it at once. (Alzheimer's disease)
Dear Friends
ReplyDeleteWe can't forget Prathap Reddy the other person who was on fast unto death. One thing was we were all united. I went for the negotiations with the govt. I still have a copy of the statement issued by then health minister ponmudi saying the stipend will be linked to pay commission pay hike.
what happened to it??
Hope the striking medicos achieve their goal
Ravi
Attaboy Pratap!
ReplyDeleteStill waters run deep.Now time to break your 'verbal'fast.
And Raghu, and Ravi!All you guys are living legends in our midst.
Ram.
Hi everyone
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see so many comments on the blog. I did not open it it for one day and it had grown from 40 to 90.
I dont think any one can understand Naga's discourse including his better half. It is better to enjoy his writing as such.
Hi Mathi
we have one more more room at our disposal as your family is not going to stay in Mahabs. There will be secret surveillance on your activity.
Hi Raghu
Wish you Happy birthday. It is already July 15th in India. we should dedicate all the comments including Naga's Rap in the next 24 hours as your birthday present
Hi Ramzan
Nice to see all your comments. I found the meaning of Sanfroid .
sang-froid [sahng-frwah]
composure and calmness in a difficult situation [French, literally: cold blood]
Hi Suma
Nice to see your participation and keep it up.
Cheers everyone
Prem
I still remember that day we were taken to the central jail. We all gave false names (Sara gave his name as "Boomgarten"). The shock on the faces when we were told we wouldn't get any bail for 14 days still remains fresh in our minds. Some of the girls started crying. Also remember Raghu & his chants & the ICU stint. How things have changed since?? There are hundred more private medical colleges since, I would imagine !
ReplyDeleteJeyam
Dear friends
ReplyDeleteI would like to recall another incident when we were taken to police station near stanley medical college, i was taken in first of the police vechicle and raghu, srikanth and others in the 2nd vehicle. When raghu was asking mama engada? the police man inside the vehicle got offended and there was some verbal duel between our friends and the police. In the police station as soon i got down from the other vehicle i have to go and tell the inspector that i am nick named as Mama and defuse the situation.
Ravi
Dear Raghu
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday(Kamarajar's Birthday)
Dear friends
ReplyDeleteIt is only blog about medico strike and not to strike not writing anything.
Are u all FAST UNTO DEATH?
Wake up
Ravi
Hi Raghu,have a wonderful birthday and many more to come!
ReplyDelete-Rachula
Sorry, I was busy sending patients to NAGALAND.
ReplyDeleteDear Tyagis (who contributed to the strike) and Drogis (who went to work during the strike, but I forgive U)
The other thing I remember about the strike, Not only was I made intoxicated on the pretext of post strike success celebration, I was forced to sing X-rated Songs. This was recorded without my consent and then played in front of the ladies hostel for the rest of the night. Oh boy!!! That did not go down well. It took me 2 weeks to recover.
So the people who did this will be served with copyright violation notice at the re-union.
Unfortunately, I took down poor Krishnaji along with me on that occasion. So beware folks the lawyer in me is out for vengeance.
Prem and Ravi And Rachula (Finally!!!)
Thank you for the greetings. I have just turned 23 (+ 228 months) and feel young at heart. On the lookout for young blonde female aged 21 and the one who doesn’t talk back!!! Can anyone recommend someone who fits the profile?
I am sorry I didn't know. Happy B' day Raghu. Is Latha aware of your dreams of the young blondeee? Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteJeyam
Raghu,Maamaa, me sure you get plenty of blonde type you describe in NANGALAND (SOHO).
ReplyDeleteBut me young as well, and be any colour you want.RED even better than blonde.And my lips sealed!!
Happy B'day Maamaa.
Kinky Killiopatra.
Funky Killio
ReplyDeleteIn Nanga Land, you can only play 1 mummy 4 daddy games. I am looking at the 2 mummy and 1 daddy game with the blonde. You can sure join the game.
I guess I will have to use the blue pill one too many. They have recently changed its name to MYCOXAFLAPIN. Naga was recently seen in Penang hunting for it.
Please Prabhakar, this is not that rude to be censored. Prem will take atleast 3 days to decipher this language anyway. He has just returned from his nursery and is awaiting bedtime story. So lets keep him guessing.
If you do decide to censor this, I will have to send Naga to hunt you down. It could be very painful!!!!!.
Regards
Raghu
Raghu dont worry if it is blonde you fancy - blonde you shall have (however it may cost you a few more dollars ) Lankawi Ganapathi has been informed :
ReplyDeleteHappy b'day
mathi
Raghuram, Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteJeyam, Please keep Raghu in line.
Mathi,you need to be monitored too.
Ravi, "mama engada" kadhai super.
Prem , never mind these guys , please continue your literary quest.
Ramzan, we are waiting...
Rache, Hi
Suma, come back....
Meenakshi
Are you people aware that for what we were against then.... and after all those moments... Came up after US?! In fact I was working for such a new one and unfortunately that closed up...!!!??? (during 1999 - 2004) I was considered as the best pacifier of the village patients! That fruit never ripened!
ReplyDeleteKannan