There are some conversations you wish would never end…It was one of those!
It was Doctor’s Day and every year, I make sure that I pay a visit to a few who have been close to me over the years… not wanting to miss an opportunity to say “Thanks”!
…He is a famous Doctor and it has been our privilege to count ourselves as his family-friends. In his 60s, he is a Teddy Bear personified; with cheeks bulging out so much as if commanding to be Coochie…Coooed! Possibly still hanging on to night’s hangover, he was in a jolly good mood! Speaking like a story-teller, and sounding like a Sufi…
He shared with me that yesterday one of his cousins had died. As there were many pending patients so when he reached, his cousin was already ashes and his other cousins were pretty upset with him! When I asked “Then?” he smiled and said “Nothing! I asked them to come with me for a few minutes and took them to a famous Lassiwala…! First they were startled but I said ‘Yaar dekho…maut apnaa kaam kar rahi hai isliye zindagi ko apnaaa kaam karna chaahiye!’ ” (I was not sure whether to laugh my heart out or to bow my head in!) And when I asked “Then?” he winked his eyes and said “They could refuse to me…but who can refuse to Lassi?”
I was literally in splits and even before I could stop, he said “This is nothing! Once when someone died in my friend’s family, along with the Tiffin for all the guests, I sent through my servant a bottle of scotch with ice and glasses, and also a note saying ‘if you feel hurt then please accept my apology and return the bottle’…”! When I – wide-eyed – asked “Then?” he said “Nothing! Servant came back with a note saying ‘Everyone gave consolation but no one gave the medicine! Thanks!!!”…
…While laughing hysterically, I asked him “How can you do this?”…He said “You know! I have built a wall around me, not allowing any sorrow to touch me…no matter what happens! And I try to do the same to others…”
When I said “But why?” he looked straight into my eyes and said “Who knows better than a Doctor…that one’s time is limited…!”
…I almost felt like saying “Happy Teacher’s Day”!
PS: I am a teetotaler and thought a lot about deleting ‘his reference to scotch’ from this blog…but then decided to trust my readers’ maturity and discretion!
About Sandeep Atre
Dr. Sandeep Atre:
• Counseling Psychologist and an internationally recognized ‘Emotional & Social Intelligence’ Expert, with experience of more than two decades in helping people ‘sort out’ and ‘excel in’ intrapersonal and interpersonal matters. He holds a PhD in Management and a Master’s degree in Psychology (www.dratrecounsels.com).
• Founder of Socialigence – a venture specializing in development of ‘Social & Emotional Intelligence’ and its offshoot interpersonal skills through workshops and an award-winning online course rooted in neuroscience and psychology (www.socialigence.net).
• Author of two books related to his domain, namely - “Understanding Emotions Logically” and “Observing Nonverbal Behavior”; and third book on various aspects of life, named “Two Paras of Everyday Wisdom”. Moreover, the collection of his Nazms and Ghazals is published as a book titled “Baat Jazbaat Ki”.
• Corporate Trainer, with experience of close to two decades. Has conducted 150+ workshops/sessions for 50+ organizations & institutions like CSC, Cummins, Piramal, Ranbaxy, Lupin, Bridgestone, Michelin, Eicher, Maruti, Force, Idea, Airtel, NBHC, SBI, HDFC, L&T, Zydus, Thapar University, Banasthali, Narsee Monjee, Symbiosis, IIFM Bhopal, Azim Premji University, Nirma, Welingkar & IBS Hyderabad.
• Co-Founder and Director of CH EdgeMakers – a leading ‘Coaching and Training’ organization of central India for more than 24 years. He has trained close to 100 thousand students for ‘Soft Skills’ & ‘Entrance & Recruitment Preparation’ (www.ch-india.com).
• ‘Management Speaker and Orator’. Has featured at platforms like TEDx, IIM, IIT, NIT, CII, YI, CII-IWN, TCS, IMA, ICAI, ECA, ISHRAE, NEN, Sahodaya, Aditya Birla Education Academy, Round Table, LinkedIn Local, Rotary International, MP State’s Teachers’ Training, Academic Staff College DAVV, Police University Rajasthan, Police Training Academy Indore & more than 100 institutions.
• Member of noted associations and boards. Has been an ‘Executive Committee’ member of Indore Management Association. Associate Editor of IMA publications. Governing Council Member of Banasthali University’s SBBJ Centre for Research in MSME & Promotion of Entrepreneurship in Women. Executive Member of IMS, DAVV Alumni Association. Member of Rotary International’s ‘Group Study Exchange’ team to Minnesota, USA. ESI Coach with FWSA Australia.
Note: For glimpses of work, watch YouTube Channel ‘Dr. Sandeep Atre at Socialigence’.
