LOST IDENTITY
I could not take my eyes off the bold letters in the news paper. “India tops the list of hear t related diseases”. Not a good news, I thought. These days, India is making waves at global level. Hosting of common wealth games, Obama’s recent visit and winning some gold medals in Asian games is also very well understood. Even 2G scam, Adarsh scam can be reluctantly tolerated. Being on top of the list in the unhealthy reasons are really is definitely a cause of worry. It is not a good sign at all. I felt like whatever little we had, even that is lost. I guess, somewhere all of us are the players in this scam.
A developing country does look up to developed nations for guidance. In the process of following their footsteps, we are blessed with an unusual package of deterioring health? A spine chilling effect is experienced when media and newspaper give statistical figures of hospitals across the country. Where is this leading to? What are we doing with ourselves?
I happen to travel by train for more than sixteen hours. Among other co-passengers, there was a well-to-do, fairly modern and charming couple in their forties. Their oversized bag of eateries could not be hidden from co passengers. It sent several questions in mind too. My mind started weaving possible stories behind the bag. I got an answer at lunch time. By then, they were talking to me in a very friendly manner. Out, came a small medical kit followed by lunch boxes. Wife gave a shot of insulin to husband, in turn he popped four capsules in to her mouth. Their lunch box contained sandwiches of wheat bread, boiled vegetables, salad and flask of tea with sugar free packets. Same kind of food packets were kept for dinner too. I felt my mind telling me see dear, they have all the money to buy royal food but they are stuck with royal diseases. Age is no bar these days. Anything any can happen to any body at any time and you do need a reason for it. Hmmm! A sorry state indeed! You can very well understand if this was the case with sixty plus people. Forty plus is that age when you kind of settled your children well in the school, given your quality time to family members and it is time to explore the world bit by bit.
Puzzled expression of my face forced the husband to talk about their personal life. The couple was techies by profession. Their job involved lots of touring, unusual timings, meeting the deadlines and so on. Initially they enjoyed every bit of it. Touring helped them explore the world, taste different foods, meet interesting people and so on. Back in the office, it was a 10-14 hour job. Hard work and enthusiasm definitely led both of them to higher position in a comparatively lesser span. They were basking the arena of top bosses and high profile society.
Husband’s company asked the couple to for annual medical checkup. It was just a routine work. By evening the couple goes to collect the progress (I mean medical) report and see figures with stars in most of the tests (the figures were either below or above the range) Advanced tests confirmed the medical problems. Same day they were awarded the title of permanent patients with at least 3 ailments.
Couple found it difficult to come to terms that they have to depend on those multicolored tablets for their survival. Medical kit and emergency number of doctors became permanent members of the luggage. Touring job, which used to refresh them once upon a time became cumbersome and hectic.
This trip with me was on of those unavoidable ones. They are happy about one thing that they are still better off compared to their counterparts in the office. My eyes remained wide opened!!!! They said that the survey is absolutely true. Only 2 out of ten could be healthy in forties!
I became restless. I wanted to go for directly for a medical check up from the station instead of going home. Just wanted to see which category I fall in to. I keep my fingers crossed!!
