Shailaja teacher’s journey translated: ‘My Life as a Comrade’ unveiled in Kannada

Bengaluru: The Kannada translation of K K Shailaja’s ‘My Life as a Comrade’ was released at a packed H N Memorial Hall, National College, Basavanagudi on Saturday. 

K K Shailaja, fondly called ‘Shailaja teacher’, was the health minister of Kerala between 2016 and 2021. She is widely known for effective managing of Nipah and Covid-19 virus in the state. Her work received acclaim from international organisations such as the UN.

The translator of the book Dr H S Anupama, a doctor and writer, said that reading the book felt like walking along with Shailaja through her life. “Translating the book made me understand Kerala’s health system and the social and cultural ethos of the state,” she added.

Shailaja said that the book feels less like an autobiography and more like a collection of memories that she shared. “The spirit of the book is beautifully captured by Dr Anupama in her translation. The book is about the simple experience of simple political worker,” she remarked.

Shailaja delivered the keynote address at the event titled, Public Health System: Challenges and Prospects.

“I enjoyed my time as the minister but it was not without its difficulties. There were a lot of crises but every crisis brings us an opportunity to learn,” Shailaja said.

“When youngsters ask me what crisis management is I say it is nothing but preparedness, team work and taking the right decision at the right time. The real heroes are the doctors and nurses who work behind the curtain,” she added. 

Doctors Dr Vasundhara Bhupati and Dr Anil Kumar, and public health researcher Prasanna Sailgram were also present on the occasion.