Today is the last day of my son’s matric board exam.
On the way to drop him at his school ( last day in this almamater) I asked him, ” what do you want to study in future?”
His mother wants him to be an engineer. Because one of his cousin has just completed BE & has shifted to USA.
“I donot know. Certainly not Biology”
“Huh” I am a Pediatrician & neonatologist.
Being an astute book worm, I had breezed through 2 dozens of exam related to medical with flying colors- MBBS, MD, UPSC etc. It also meant that I am public shy. I will rather write a long letter about my problem than meeting & explaining you in person. I was a desk job man. I prefer to face a monitor than a man.
The day I came out of university, I was amazed to find that medical profession is a trade just like a grocery shop. The average range of drugs that I use in my day to day practice is known also to the Medicine Representative who details me and to the chemist round the corner who sells it. Then why some of the doctors are hugely successful while others fail measurably.
The cue is how you market your knowledge and convert it to money. Even after 30 years, I’m yet to change myself from a bookworm to a market man. Kaash ! my instituion had tested my personality & aptitude and rejected me 30 years back rather than throwing those trash of 200 MCQs at me.
“What do you want me to be?” Said he.
” Son” I said,
“It is 3 decades since I finished my college education. And I have learnt 3 lessons in those 3 decades.
- Do what you LOVE-
- In life there are many instances where we have to tackle many things we don’t like. But we do our best and get through the life by any means. IT SHOULDN’T BE. Well homo sapiens can survive anything from the bushman of hottest Kalahari to Eskimos of coldest north pole. But you will find life to be way more enjoyable when you choose an education, a career or any task that you love. Doing what you love brings some terrific benefits- joy, peace and contentment. And the money will come.
- PERSEVERENCE –
- There are no short cuts in life. Abraham Lincoln once said, “If I had 6 hours to cut down a tree, I would spend 4 hours sharpening the axe.” To do what you LOVE, you must persevere in the right earnest. If you do the work you LOVE…you will amaze yourself and the world.
- Along with pride in the accomplishment, I learned it is never TOO LATE TO MAKE A CHANGE.
- Whether it is being a better student, better employee, better spouse or better singer, you can IMPROVE ON ANYTHING as long as you put forth the effort and hard work. Take pride in that- you did something you LOVE.”
Then I saw him off for his last day in his alma mater.
Dr Ramakanta's Ideas 