Guest Column: Down The Memory Lane..

Volume 5 Issue 2 Feb 2015

The tour operator

“Dr Shah, Dr Shah ….” Someone called me from behind while I was crossing the road. “Dr Shah, did you recognize me? … I am your patient Mr A … Please come to my office … I saw you from my office and so rushed behind you …” Before I could say anything he took my bag from my hand and escorted me to his office.

Mr A was brought to our OPD about two years back by a police officer as he had allegedly duped some fifty odd people. During one of his manic episodes, he had advertised an all inclusive tour to Kashmir and Vaishnodevi for Rs 20,000/- in a leading newspaper where he had promised a seven days tour by air with a stay in five star hotels and a helicopter ride to Vaishnodevi. A week before the due date for the tour he went into depression and so the tour never took off.

After the legal proceedings based on our report of his illness, court recommended that he should be treated for his bipolar disorder. We had requested him to continue the treatment in order to prevent a recurrence of such mood episodes and similar problems but after some months of regular treatment he was lost to follow-up.

At his office, he kept his peon busy treating me and before I could say anything, he called his wife cum secretary and asked her to book five seats on Kashmir and Vaishnodevi tour for me and my family members. Looking at his enthusiasm, vigor, and speed of working with elated mood and air of confidence, I couldn’t resist enquiring them about continuation of his treatment. Without any hesitation he emphasized that now he was absolutely fine, has stopped treatment long back as he doesn’t need it.

After a futile attempt to explain him the need for treatment over half an hour, I left his office in vain, awaiting one more disaster.