We were the first Entrance batch in JIPMER and were an all-india batch in nature. We started off with Premedical (I MBBS)—Physics, chemistry, Botany, Zoology and English for 1 Year.
That will be dealt with later.
We entered the II year—Anatomy (1 year and 6 months), Physiology (1 year and 6 months)and Biochemistry (1 year and 6 months)with Biophysics (1 year). WE started our Anatomy dissection with great glee. We were cutting up a real body (though dead) like real doctors and learn what is there inside. We were paired in twos and my partner was T. Krishna Moorthy AKA Tikky ( who now is a plastic surgeon in Trichy.) We took possession of the Right leg and another two took up the left leg. 4 of our seniors were doing the dissection on the upper limbs. So there were 8 of us crowding round the table and jabbering away while jabbing and cutting away, supposedly as per the instructions in the dissecting manual. Most of the time we did, but occasionally we were too fast because it was a race to see who were the fastest.
On the first day, some of us were scared and touched the body gingerly. By the third day, it was familiar. By the end of the week, we were propping up the books by the body’s flanks and we used to lean over the body to talk to guys and gals on the other side, casually resting our hands on the chest or abdomen of the body.
We had Osteology classes taught by a Lady Medical Officer (only MBBS) working as a demonstrator. She got the job because she was the wife of our Radiology Associate Professor. She was from somewhere in the North East and had poor English Language skills. These Two things made her an object for ridicule and we had a field day in her class.
She: why you late?
Student: me not late. Mess is late. Mess is Dosa and Dosa is late.
She: don’t care. Not late in future. Student : no mam! Only on dosa days.
Student: madam, I am feeling giddy. I want to go to casualty.
She: why?
Student: because head is turning.
She: go.
He leaves the class amid titters. We all know he is going to lie down in his room.
Another student: madam! He is giddy. He may fall on the way. I shall go with him.
She: (glowering) ok go.
A small pause. The second student returns.
Student: madam! He has fainted. I want 4 people to carry him.
An exodus starts without waiting for permission.
She: (angrily) you will all suffer in the exam.
We were all confident, because we depended on ourselves and text books. All the students in six medical colleges (MMC, Stanley, Kilpauk –all 3 from Chennai, Chengalpat Medical college, CMC Vellore and JIPMER) were pooled together and divided between 2 exam centers in MMC and Stanley. None of our professors were examiners as they were in CGHS and were taking a transfer to North India within 2 or 3 yrs.
In Physiology lab., the demonstrator was introducing us to the various pieces of lab equipment. Suddenly a boy in the last row fell down faint. Ether was kept in the lab for cleaning the glassware stained with blood. He wanted an experience of “ether kick”.
But in Biochemistry we were more careful as our Lecturer with his phenomenal memory (He will figure later in my story) asked us for personal details and wrote them down. From next class, he used to call all the 65 by name. We had to sit alphabetically in his class.
Thus we were well on the way to earning the name of a mischievous batch.
Back to Anatomy dissection then.
We (Self and Tikky) finished the dissection fast and first. We separated the limb from the body, after disarticulation at the hip. We held it aloft like a trophy and crowed “we are the first.” All hell broke loose wiuth everybody yelling something. In the next second, there was a deathly hush.
Our Professor, Dr. Charnalia had stepped into the Dissection hall. We all received a dressing down and we were singled out for most of it (deservedly). He concluded by saying ” I know what is happening in the Osteology class, I know what is happening in Histology lab (that was directed at me) and they tell me you are exhibiting the same behavior in other classes. Remember that you are a nothing now, just a student and an irreverent one at that. You have no respect for your teachers and elders. You have no respect for what you are doing.
This cadaver is so much better than you. It is trying to teach you something useful, so that you become useful to the society. And you are shamelessly insulting its dignity. God help you all.
I expect better from you now on.”
We were chastened and never did we do silly things in class after that and from that day I made it a policy not to disrespect an elder.
Dead men do tell tales and teach us many things.
We entered the II year—Anatomy (1 year and 6 months), Physiology (1 year and 6 months)and Biochemistry (1 year and 6 months)with Biophysics (1 year). WE started our Anatomy dissection with great glee. We were cutting up a real body (though dead) like real doctors and learn what is there inside. We were paired in twos and my partner was T. Krishna Moorthy AKA Tikky ( who now is a plastic surgeon in Trichy.) We took possession of the Right leg and another two took up the left leg. 4 of our seniors were doing the dissection on the upper limbs. So there were 8 of us crowding round the table and jabbering away while jabbing and cutting away, supposedly as per the instructions in the dissecting manual. Most of the time we did, but occasionally we were too fast because it was a race to see who were the fastest.
On the first day, some of us were scared and touched the body gingerly. By the third day, it was familiar. By the end of the week, we were propping up the books by the body’s flanks and we used to lean over the body to talk to guys and gals on the other side, casually resting our hands on the chest or abdomen of the body.
We had Osteology classes taught by a Lady Medical Officer (only MBBS) working as a demonstrator. She got the job because she was the wife of our Radiology Associate Professor. She was from somewhere in the North East and had poor English Language skills. These Two things made her an object for ridicule and we had a field day in her class.
She: why you late?
Student: me not late. Mess is late. Mess is Dosa and Dosa is late.
She: don’t care. Not late in future. Student : no mam! Only on dosa days.
Student: madam, I am feeling giddy. I want to go to casualty.
She: why?
Student: because head is turning.
She: go.
He leaves the class amid titters. We all know he is going to lie down in his room.
Another student: madam! He is giddy. He may fall on the way. I shall go with him.
She: (glowering) ok go.
A small pause. The second student returns.
Student: madam! He has fainted. I want 4 people to carry him.
An exodus starts without waiting for permission.
She: (angrily) you will all suffer in the exam.
We were all confident, because we depended on ourselves and text books. All the students in six medical colleges (MMC, Stanley, Kilpauk –all 3 from Chennai, Chengalpat Medical college, CMC Vellore and JIPMER) were pooled together and divided between 2 exam centers in MMC and Stanley. None of our professors were examiners as they were in CGHS and were taking a transfer to North India within 2 or 3 yrs.
In Physiology lab., the demonstrator was introducing us to the various pieces of lab equipment. Suddenly a boy in the last row fell down faint. Ether was kept in the lab for cleaning the glassware stained with blood. He wanted an experience of “ether kick”.
But in Biochemistry we were more careful as our Lecturer with his phenomenal memory (He will figure later in my story) asked us for personal details and wrote them down. From next class, he used to call all the 65 by name. We had to sit alphabetically in his class.
Thus we were well on the way to earning the name of a mischievous batch.
Back to Anatomy dissection then.
We (Self and Tikky) finished the dissection fast and first. We separated the limb from the body, after disarticulation at the hip. We held it aloft like a trophy and crowed “we are the first.” All hell broke loose wiuth everybody yelling something. In the next second, there was a deathly hush.
Our Professor, Dr. Charnalia had stepped into the Dissection hall. We all received a dressing down and we were singled out for most of it (deservedly). He concluded by saying ” I know what is happening in the Osteology class, I know what is happening in Histology lab (that was directed at me) and they tell me you are exhibiting the same behavior in other classes. Remember that you are a nothing now, just a student and an irreverent one at that. You have no respect for your teachers and elders. You have no respect for what you are doing.
This cadaver is so much better than you. It is trying to teach you something useful, so that you become useful to the society. And you are shamelessly insulting its dignity. God help you all.
I expect better from you now on.”
We were chastened and never did we do silly things in class after that and from that day I made it a policy not to disrespect an elder.
Dead men do tell tales and teach us many things.
1 comment:
You answered my question about entrance to JIPMER in this post.
And what a very appropriate post for Teachers' Day! I remember the times Sasi and I used to come for the summers to Kavali and had math tuitions in the morning and evening with R babai. One day, there was something fun happening at the new house and we (Krupa, Sasi and I, if I remember right) neglected to come on time to the tuition classes. When we got to the old house, R babai gave us a dressing down about how it was not the right thing to do, how it was not respectful to skip classes. I felt terrible, till Babai finished his talk and gave a smile, forgiving all...an enormous load off my mind! I tried avoiding being late to classes after that.
That reminds me (just like your post) that just a few words of wisdom have enormous power to change attitudes. So, my thanks to all my teachers (mostly in the family) for their guidance in shaping my attitudes.
PS: I don't think I have still learnt that lesson of respect, babai. Something to work on.
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