“I always knew I wanted to be a doctor since my high school days," says Dr Srimani Rajagopalan. One look at this sexagenarian veteran gynaecologist and you know she can instill that kind of trust in you, given her composed and confident demeanour. Born in 1947, Dr Srimani finished her standard 10 by 1960. She then did two intermediate courses before completing her graduation at Bangalore Medical College. Quiz her on why she chose this profession, pat comes the reply; "I always wanted to help women and being involved with a patient is a most satisfying experience.” Incidentally, she had a lot of hands-on experience while assisting her post-graduation teachers in their work. Initially her posting was as medical officer at the ESI hospital to check on out-patients. "I was lucky to get a break in Vani Vilas when someone wanted to swap my place at ESI," she explains. In fact she has also taught at her Alma mater Bangalore Medical College for several years. "This was a very good experience for me as this was a satisfying job and I made several friends," she explains.

Life as a doctor

So how was your first experience as a surgeon? "It was thrilling and I really started understanding how it is a team that helps the patient and solves the case.” And how is it when cases are complex? "Yes there are cases when the patient may need 20-30 bottles of blood during delivery, but it is important to stay focused and use your team effectively, to help the patient," she adds. Currently she consults at Bharathi Nursing Home and Bangalore Hospital (where she is one of the promoters). Her specialisation is in vaginal surgery without leaving scars. She is also actively into training and coaching, as she believes in getting the next lot of doctors up and running. As a doctor there are no real work timings as she is required to be there when a patient needs her and Dr Srimani is nonchalant about it. "You need to be committed to the job you have chosen," she says quite simplistically.

Her family has been very supportive of her career. "In fact I stay in a kind of joint family where I can just focus on my work without having to worry about several daily chores," she admits rather candidly. What irks her however is the commercialisation of hospitals with the entry of MNC players. Among her hobbies are reading, listening to music and appreciating art. She also writes randomly. "It’s really nothing specific, lots of notes," she explains. In fact her colleagues put together all of these into a book that was presented to her on her sixtieth birthday! She is also into counselling her patients, something that she is particularly fond of. "If you are determined to want something, nothing can stop you from getting it," she explains on the mantra of her successful life. In fact she dreams of having maternal ICUs in hospitals for the care of new mothers. Her future plans are clear — continue training for vaginal surgery. And her advice to other women is simple. "Women should really be more confident and learn to live for themselves," she says.