Guest Column: Down The Memory Lane…

Volume 2 Issues 10 October, 2021

Illness Is Nothing, Where There Is Humanity

Nearly 20 years ago, one night around 11.30 p.m. when the whole household was asleep, there was noise at our gate. I sleepily woke up to find a car load of people came urging me to come and see a patient urgently. With my standard annoyed response, I told them I would not be able to come now. The brother of one of my female patient suffering from Bipolar Affective Disorder, told me that his sister was getting married the next morning, had become symptomatic. The boy’s family was refusing to go ahead with the marriage. To start with, I did not know that she was getting married (as usual they did not seek my advice in this matter). Feeling sorry for the family and looking at the gravity of the situation, I decided to go and see what I can do to help. By the time, I reached the Kalyana Mantap, it was past midnight and I could see people asleep. Bride was in a hypomanic state having stopped medication, a few days ago. I was taken to the prospective father‐in‐law, an orthodox, elderly man, who was fuming, that the bride’s party had withheld the information. I then asked to see the bridegroom. I explained the situation to him and I was taken aback when he said, “this marriage is arranged by both the families and I have agreed. Good or bad, I will go through with it. I will not back out now, even if my family is not for it.” I was dumbfounded. I had not obviously expected this answer and certainly not with the ease with which it came from him. There are people in the world, who value commitment and honour, no matter what the circumstances are. Illness is nothing, where we see humanity.

Post script: It is nearly twenty years since this incident took place. They are a happily family now and she is doing well with her maintenance medication. They come for follow up regularly. I constantly thank God, for giving me the opportunity to serve and also for getting to know that such Humans do exist amongst us.