Sat Varshe Sakt Majuri...? सात वर्षे सक्तमजुरी Book Review

 

Dr. Sherali Shaikh's Marathi book titled 'Sat Varshe Sakt Majuri...?' is an interesting read for sure. This autobiographical book primarily focuses on the seven years which he spent in the hinterlands of Nandurbar.

The book begins with the authors transfer to a remote location posting, and his attempts, albeit unsucessful, in getting it changed. Reluctantly he joins the posting. The challenges are multiple. The transport options are limited. There is no separate residential facility. The staff huddles up in the godown like structure of the health centre. Electricity is unheard of. The dialect which most of the staff and all the patients speak is Greek and Latin for the author.  Yet, he overcomes all these challenges and becomes a sought after surgeon in the district. Through out the book the author tries to analyse whether this remote posting was a blessing or a punishment.

A class one gazetted posting appears to be a plump position for the world. But the picture isn't rosy. The author is denied a rented house for his religion. There is constant uncertainty coupled with a regret of having made a wrong choice of becoming a medical officer. The author has been very honest in wording all these human emotions.

He describes how he completed his education in adverse circumstances. He says that the adolescent age is very challenging for every person, no matter if he is good at studies or not. I feel this is the kind of sensitivity required for dealing with persons of this age group.  I wish more was written about this part of his life, particularly how he acquired a command over the English language.

The author was selected to be a part of the medical team to be deputed to Haj to treat the Indian pilgrims. This forms the most interesting part of the book, and is a treat to read.

We all know that the full form of M.B.B.S is Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. But how many M.B.B.S doctors we know conduct surgeries? The book underlines this dearth of surgeons in the rural parts of the country. Rather it tells us that there are qualified surgeons but for some unknown reasons they do not conduct surgeries. I wish the author had described in short the procedure of surgery. It would have helped in knowing how at times thirty surgeries were carried out in a day. Also, he should have told as to how there is so much of awareness about family planning in the most underdeveloped parts of the state.

What I liked about the book is that the author comes across as a simple person and not a superhero. As a result neither he, nor his book is error free. I did not like the way he has glorified drinking and eating gutka. Mere reference to these habits is one thing and glorifying them is another. At one place he even refers to drinking as national programme. Also he laughs at the trans person who in a very dignified way comes to say him off. This is cruel and insensitive. Not at all expected from a member of medical fraternity.  

Yet, the book is an interesting read. It is enjoyable, and at the same time throws light on the system, something which doesn't always happen. The book is highly recommended.