Kumars’ thoughts and appreciation of the Blog

Kumars’ thoughts and appreciation of the Blog

Kumar Gunawardane

Note by Speedy. This was sent to me by Kumar to be published as a comment. I thought it was worthy of  a post in its own right. Thank you Kumar.

Dear Mahen, Srianee, ND, Rohini, Sanath, Bora, Suri, Lucky et al.,

My sincere apologies for my long absence from the blog. There are many valid excuses which I will not elaborate upon. But I have been a regular visitor, enjoying the posts and the comments.

Thank you, Srianee, for the glorious photos of the 2017 reunion. I lingered long, reliving that wonderful occasion. Sadly some of the attendees are not with us, but we must be thankful that so many of us are alive and kicking. I also cherished your post on Dr Abraham Varghese’s “The Covenant of Water “. Will get a copy when I return to base. Coincidentally, I met a friend who had been one of his pupils.

One of my favourite novels is Of Human Bondage, the semi-autobiographical novel of Somerset Maugham; the leading character is based on his own experiences. SM’s stammer becomes  Philip Carey’s limp. His unrequited love for Mildred, the waitress, also struck a chord with me. 

You will be acquainted with other great writers/ poets who were also physicians. Foremost being Anton Chekhov, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Khaled Hosseini and John Keats. 

William Osler, who has been called the “Father of modern medicine” was also an excellent writer. ‘He had recommended to his students that they should have a non-medical library by their beds that could be dipped in and out profitably to create well-rounded physicians’.I was lucky to purchase a copy of his “Principles and Practice of Medicine, which was being discarded by our hospital library. 

Mahen, I sincerely appreciate your valiant efforts to keep the blog alive and vibrant. You deserve a medal, perhaps even an equivalent to the Victoria Cross for your endeavours. Your innovations truly added lustre to an already sparkling blog. Thanks also for the photos of you with Manil and Jimmy and those of the Colombo mini-reunions. All credit to Pram, who, as has been said, does the hard yards and then keeps a low profile. You all look good; I hesitate to say well preserved, as a sarcastic wit could link it with fruit or fish. 

Manil looks much the same as she was fifty years ago when we chanced upon each other during an MRCP course at the Northwick Park Hospital. At Medical School, she was only two seats away from me at Physiology lectures; but in those staid times, our tête-à-têtes were few. A notable exception was a visit to her home in Udahamulla with the late Tilak D. He was smitten,  had got to know that M and I were distantly related and twisted my arm. We arrived unannounced, except for the roar of Tilak’s motorcycle; she and her mother were very hospitable, however, and in true Sri Lankan style, fed us well. 

I was sad to learn of Indrani Subs demise. I remember her mainly for her mellifluous speaking voice and being congratulated by Prof Koch for a good presentation at the regular student physiology seminars. They were a great innovation and should have been emulated by other departments. 

Mahen, I have written an appreciation of Indranie, Cyri Ernest’s wife. I will forward it in due course. 

ND, what can I say about you that has already not been said. Your masterpieces alone make the Blog worthwhile to be preserved for posterity. 

Rohini, Bora, Sanath, Suri and Lucky, it has been a privilege to be your friend these many years. Your achievements have embellished our group, but it’s mostly your friendship and good humour that I cherish. Also, your contributions to the Blog. Bora’s Banter in the blog is a good read over and over again. Please keep writing.

 Kumar