As I was travelling a long distance to medical college, I would strive hard to keep myself engaged throughout the journey because I am among those who can’t doze off during travel!
Occasionally, reading the newspaper & every word in it was a time killer strategy, more so because more than a decade ago, smartphones had not yet evolved as much as it is today. In a small section of the newspaper corner, there was an invitation for awards in Kannada medical literature, the Dr Nagalotimath Award. As I was a new staff member with no colleagues, the medical students were natural companions. I would keenly spend time listening to them & interacting with them. One of the medical students had an interest in Kannada story writing, and I pondered on describing depression in story format. The medical student attempted to write a story based on a description of depression and its treatment in Kannada. He sent it as award submission and surprisingly, it won the prestigious award. The medical student was invited to a big ceremony & he was felicitated in front of a huge crowd. It fascinates me even today how a small glimpse of a newspaper announcement made such a wonderful outcome. The medical student later became editor of the book “ Saptha Vaidyara Churmuri”, a collection of seven doctors’ work in prose, poetry & play. It is, according to me, one of the best Kannada books in which a play on schizophrenia & story on depression with psychotic symptoms are presented so well.
(The above article has previously appeared in MINDS Newsletter Volume 12, Issue 9, September 2022 )
Dr. M. Kishor
Professor and Head
Department of Psychiatry
JSS Medical College, Mysuru
