Inspiring for Life

My personal inspirations are my parents. Yes, I know it's a bit cliche, but their voices have been in my head for my entire life.

I grew up with an older dad and one with a very unique history. He was atleast 38 years old when I was born in 1985. He was born in 1947 and graduated with an MBBS from The Calicut Medical College in 1973, 11th batch - Calicut Medical College as the Aluminis mention.

His formative career years, and the years that would form his perspective about the world, started that year working in Kurumbalangodu - a small village in the already undeveloped district of Malappuram in Kerala. I have heard that the village had no paved roads - forget electricity and Health Engineering. With no connectivity to the outside world, no dear and near familiar faces in this place, Dad used to walk for miles to meet his patients and help those who were in need of  his gifted hands. People used to bang doors and windows well past midnight to request his presence to treat a snake bite or to revive an elderly who had a heart attack or to certify a death. And he used to accompany them with his physician's case, stethoscope and manometer without a slight change of expression or a word of protest. He still remains true to his Hippocratic Oath and I am very sure that at 65 years of age, he can still pledge it without skipping a beat. I heard from one of Dad's proteges that after he was transferred from Kurumbalangodu, the villagers never had another Doctor who stayed there and delivered their services. Later on, the government declared a privilege to doctors who did rural service towards the admissions for various PG courses and then every one wanted to serve the villagers there. Villagers still suffered, but "punches and lunches" became regular in the Public Health Center.   

Here, 40 years later, his son lives in a world where connectivity is limitless. People may survive a few minutes without oxygen, but deny them connectivity and they will soon drop down dead. 18 year old kids on scooterettes have their one arm on the handle and other on the phone held close their ears. I wonder what may happen if they take a break from the road to attend that call.

His early career experience was watching the villagers suffer in the delicate financial system of India from the front seat and these years developed his views of how to live - with a focus on austerity.

"A penny saved is a penny earned"

"Waste not, want not"

"Neither a borrower nor lender be"

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"

His messages to me of savings, thoughtfulness, conservatism, and preparing for the worst influenced me greatly.

Well, ask me if I am able to adhere to any of these, I might just giggle and scratch my head. 

Yeah... Dad, Mom... I have you guys! 

Growing up with my father, a history book with front line views of so many foundational periods of the Indian Economy and it's history in the 20th century translated to me in constant lectures on hard work, saving, austerity, and more.

My mom, on the other hand, was  a "traditional" mom of that period, staying home and raising my sister and me. Her story is quite different. She was an active Socialite. Her life was about giving, making connections, being a friend to many, being by-stander in a hospital emergency to any of our countless relatives.

The pair - a gentle hard working doctor, and stern father, and a pioneering and creative mother - taught me how to live my life. Here are a few of my lessons that sum this up:

Save for the future

Work hard

Take measured risks in your career

Enjoy life

Help others less advantaged

Survive any change

Question authority

Nothing can sum up anyone's parents, but I first endowed inspiration from these two. Lessons from my parents live on in my life.