My arrival to rural North India.
I did my undergraduate training in Tamil Nadu, South India and after a 2 years period also completed my diploma in Obs and Gynae. Towards the end of my DGO, I married one of my classmates,who was very keen on working in Rural North India. So, in 1995 when our first son was 45 days old I traveled to Kanpur by train, a 48 hour long journey! My husband who had joined 3 months earlier was at the station to receive us. And then we traveled by the hospital jeep for another 2 hours to reach the hospital in Fathepur.
This was my first time in North India!
And my first impression of North India?.......... It was beautiful, the ride from Kanpur to Fathepur was beautiful. It was in August and the monsoon was in full swing. The weather was pleasant and the fields green. There were wild peacock in the fields adding vibrant color to the scene.
When we reached the hospital my husband broke the news that the other lady doctor who worked there had gone on leave and was to have returned a week ago but had not returned. That meant I was the only 'lady doctor' on the campus. That would mean cutting my maternity leave short and getting down to work!
But fortunately for me, the servant who was to have traveled with us(my parents accompanied me) missed the train and so I need not officially join duty till we found a maid. ( For people from countries where having maids is strange- Most women in India can not put in their best if it was not for maids who looked after their children while they worked.) I am ever grateful for these servants who have helped raising my children.
I did my undergraduate training in Tamil Nadu, South India and after a 2 years period also completed my diploma in Obs and Gynae. Towards the end of my DGO, I married one of my classmates,who was very keen on working in Rural North India. So, in 1995 when our first son was 45 days old I traveled to Kanpur by train, a 48 hour long journey! My husband who had joined 3 months earlier was at the station to receive us. And then we traveled by the hospital jeep for another 2 hours to reach the hospital in Fathepur.
This was my first time in North India!
And my first impression of North India?.......... It was beautiful, the ride from Kanpur to Fathepur was beautiful. It was in August and the monsoon was in full swing. The weather was pleasant and the fields green. There were wild peacock in the fields adding vibrant color to the scene.
When we reached the hospital my husband broke the news that the other lady doctor who worked there had gone on leave and was to have returned a week ago but had not returned. That meant I was the only 'lady doctor' on the campus. That would mean cutting my maternity leave short and getting down to work!
But fortunately for me, the servant who was to have traveled with us(my parents accompanied me) missed the train and so I need not officially join duty till we found a maid. ( For people from countries where having maids is strange- Most women in India can not put in their best if it was not for maids who looked after their children while they worked.) I am ever grateful for these servants who have helped raising my children.
Looking forward to more of your posts, what with all your free time and such....! God bless your work. It is truly amazing, and a new mother yourself!
ReplyDeleteDear Laura T, Went thru your blog. Hats off to you. I find doing house work most exhausting and depressing. I am glad i am not a fulltime home maker! All the things that you do in a day is amazing.
DeleteYou must have figured out, I am a christian (believer what ever you want to call which conveys the idea --not in name only)
I am getting used to blog only now.