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Brain drain Brain

Brain Drain is - brains drained out of the context where brain is required to retain “value drain”; “compassion drain”; “credibility drain”; and “perseverance drain”. This is a physical movement out of the context where these brains are required and there is a need for facilitating retention.   Brain Drain happens out a “philosophical drain” a “Mission drain”. A drain of purpose, the purpose of why we are in health care, or why we have been given the privilege of being in health care. This is an intellectual movement – a movement from one way of thinking to another way of thinking. Why does “Mission Drain” occur? Because there is a “vision drain”. Loss of big picture, loss of the grand narrative the “Big Brain” behind the small brains we have or the micro brains we have. That loss of the inner spiritual perspective is what leads to external intellectual and physical brain drains. Why does this Brian Drain happen? Due to lack of a brains which are role models. This lack has

New wine Old wineskins….

“Men of Issachar were 200 men who understood the times and knew what they should be doing” – they lived in the early years of the Nation of Israel.   The post independence era of India, produced many such  “Men of Issachar's”. The need to respond to the various challenges facing the new born nation, or nation in its childhood and adolescence, institutions, organizations and movements were created, to provide compassionate care, holistic education and people building,  and to take forward the “Great Commission” and “Great Commandment”. Creating “new wine” and “new wineskins” of institutions and movements, these men mobilized people around these “dreams” they dreamt.   Today, we reap the results of these men. The organization I am part of, the church I attend, the school my children went to are few examples, from our own family life. Look around, you will see many such examples.   50 to 60 years have passed. The context has changed. What was one country is now breaking i

Soul management

Catching up… I read this in a blog - “The speaker at one of our Women’s conferences told the story about an American on safari. He had the natives marching almost day and night to reach his hunting destination in the African bush. On the fourth morning, the Bushmen refused to move. Instead, they relaxed in the shade of a tree and stayed there long into the morning. The American hunter was incredulous and exasperated. He grew angrier as the minutes ticked by on his watch, and he finally exploded. "This is an absolute waste of my valuable time. Can someone tell me what's going on here?" The translator looked at him with surprise and replied, "Well, they are just waiting for their soul to catch up with their body.” Another blog – “was telling me the story of an Australian Aborigine who, after his first ever car trip, felt the need to sit down on the ground.  When asked why, he said “I am waiting for my soul to catch up.” Human kind, much before technology and mod

Buying Spectacles…

Before I get new spectacles, I thought I might go through my collection of what I already have. I have one of “ Rational and Logical thinking ”. This is what I use on a regular basis. Like Pilate, who had to use his trained mind to decide whether to let Jesus go free or arrest him, based on what His logic told him, I need this spectacles on a regular basis. Though some times like Pilate’s wife, my wife and others might ask me to take away this spectacles, I often do not, because this is the one I am comfortable with most. … This also has an additional glasses I can put on and take out. The add-ons of “ Governance, management and policies” – the things which I am expected to be custodian of. What I am paid for….Pilate also had the same issue – he had to be the protector of the Empire’s interests…I have my own empires to protect…. Then there is one which I seldom use (Or I think I seldom use) – spectacles of preserving my position, power and roles , which I think is God giv

Politics, Perceived Justice and Injustice…

Politics (from Greek : politikos , meaning "of, for, or relating to citizens") is the practice and theory of influencing other people on a civic or individual level. More narrowly, it refers to achieving and exercising positions of governance — organized control over a human community, particularly a state . Today the word “ Politics ” has lost the original meaning  and has a challenged connotation most of the times. Similarly Justice and Injustice also are losing their meaning. We perceive what is “Just” or “Unjust” based on our perceptions and then play politics for supposedly a greater cause – but many times – the greater cause itself is a perceived greater cause than truly a greater cause! We see this played out in Political circles, movements, organizations, communities and wherever people come together. Any such situation has multiple players – the “ Perpetuators ” – who from their own perceptions fight for what is “Just” or “Unjust”. They also perpetuate the

Rural Family Practice

Doctors don’t realize what they are missing by not experiencing the challenge of rural Family practice! I was on rounds along with a young FM resident at Prem Jyoti yesterday. She was enthusiastic energetic and compassionate.   2 months into this rural hospital she was having a time which I am sure would be transformational for her. One day rounds – Patients with - Obstructed labour with LSCS done, Pelvic Peritonitis – on conservative management, 8 year old kid with PSGN (Post streptococcal Glomerulo Nephritis) in severe failure and fluid over load, 50 year old alcoholic with Hepatic failure and ascites, 30 year old lady with severe dimorphic anaemia, amenorrhoea and failure, couple of neonates with sepsis, couple of other obstructed labours – forceps, vacuum, LSCS, Cerebral contusion and L1 compression fracture on conservative management, couple of patients with cerebral Malaria and a kala azar….where else but in a rural place like this one would get opportunity to care for such a v

problem people

I am traveling  from a 2800 bedded tertiary institution to a thirty bedded primary care centre and then to a 130 bedded secondary care over this week. Spending time preparing, listening to leaders, one common thread emerged. People - people are the issue! The politics of managing people is draining leaders. Dealing with varied perceptions and holding them together is yet another constant challenge. The need for more people is a constant cry, though we are unable to manage those we have! Someone said - if there were no people, leading would have been so easy.... I was reading today morning. Jesus as he looked at the crowd, His heart was moved with compassion. He saw them as haggard, helpless sheep without Shepard. And His response was, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into His vineyard.  And then He send out disciples into the villages around with no resources or support system. Teaching them to be dependant on God and interdependent on each other. Seeing people t