The torch of knowledge

This photograph, taken in 1969, is of the 1962 batch of students of Bangalore Medical College. We passed out in December 1967 but this was taken after our one-year internship. Those were turbulent times because of the Indo-China War. The Government actually increased the intake of students to government medical colleges everywhere by nearly 100 students. Hence, the number of students in our batch also went up as the medical schools in Shivamogga and Vijayapura closed and the students from those schools joined our batch for the first year MBBS programme.

A heartening feature about our batch is that many have taken active interest in the affairs of their alma mater and are taking an active role in organising the Diamond Jubilee of Bangalore Medical College in December 2015. And along with other BMC alumni, this batch is taking part in the establishment of a free and not-for-profit bone marrow registry. And our batch makes it a point to meet once every year in the month of December.

Unlike students of today, we enjoyed our classes and indulged in many extra-curricular activities at the same time. We didn’t have this competitive nature when we were studying.

When we were in college, we had an amazing set of teachers who were passionate about their jobs. It was about how much money they got but about what knowledge they could impart. I think BMC had the best teachers from the 60s to early 70s. And it was because of these teachers that I went on to become one myself for over 40 years. I have taught in many medical colleges, including BMC, and it was because of my teachers that I’m able to do justice to my students. Even now, my teachers remember me as I took part in college activities.

Bengaluru was different back then — I would cycle from home in Chickpet to college in 10 minutes. There was hardly any traffic then. But now, I can’t even think about walking in Chickpet and Avenue Road!  Not only did we do well in terms of education, we also excelled in extra-curricular activities. We had one of the best football, cricket and hockey teams in Bengaluru. And we were artistically inclined as well — we won an award for our theatre performance six to eight years in a row.

Our batchmates did extremely well in their professional life. Dr R Vathsala rose to become the Director of the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology at Minto Ophthalmic Hospital. Dr TA Veena served as HOD of Paediatrics in many government medical colleges as did Dr N Ananda and Dr SY Prakash Gupta. Our batch was a very multi-faceted one; my classmates have spread their wings wide and excelled in their fields. Dr Janaki Varadhan is an active member of ‘Doctors without borders’ and has served in many troubled spots in the world.

Dr GD Narayanappa was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Dr GV Nagaraj served as the Director of Medical Services of Government of Karnataka. Dr RS Suryanarayana Setty, who has been practising in the UK, has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire. Dr Gerard V Aranha was the HOD of Surgical Oncology at Loyola University in Chicago. Dr A Sampath Kumar specialised in cardio-vascular and thoracic surgery. Dr CR Triyambak Raj is a leading Generalist in Milwaukee, Dr KM Srinvasa Gowda taught it in many medical colleges. He has also done English theatre and served as Steward and Chairman of the Bangalore Turf Club. Dr Rajendra Prasad served as HOD of Medicine in Mysore Medical College, Dr Thirunavakkararsu served as HOD of Forensic Medicine in both Bangalore Medical College and St John’s Medical College, One of our classmates, Dr Sohail Hasan, was an outstanding singer and even now he entertains audiences with his melodious voice. There are many more who have excelled in their fields.

Our college has made a name for itself and has produced some of the best doctors in the country. I’m proud to say that I’m from BMC.

(Dr KM Srinivasa Gowda can be reached on 9449816509)