Madhumita's Blog

— REFLECTIONS ON A JOURNEY —

Just completed my headship in Medicine at GMCH.
Although my 3rd term as HOD after Jorhat & Tezpur,
I counted the last three years as monumental, as this is my Alma mater.

Had started the term with promises,
Lived up with diligence,
Only to hear from the new lady on the chair
That I never cared.

Now that she has power, she said she is determined
To shower.

Down goes my faculty strength,
Whereas in my last 3 years, I always respected my previous chair.

My humble contributions brought laurels for the 1st time ever on Independence Day last year.
4 CME’s I conducted.
Handled all love as well as non-cooperation and arrogance.
Students I sponsored for conferences,
They come back with knowledge & assertion.

A new department was born with help from the almighty and the authorities.
Always tried with not a day to spare.
No highhandedness, nor any insolence.

The lesson learnt is power invites enemies—not from wellwishers,
But beware from the green-eyed monsters.

With heart full of gratitude, I move ahead.
Not because I won, but because my heart is
Impeccable and rectitude.

By Dr M P Das

August 7, 2026

Generation Z or the demographic strata born between 1997 to 2012 are today addressed as Gen z.

Before them we had;

Baby Boomers between 1946 to 1964 they came during the post war prosperity.

Gen X were born between 1965 to 1980, they saw the rise of technology and independence. Millennials were born between 1981 to 1996 they witnessed the internet and the social media boom.

Gen Z are the ones born between 1997 to 2012, they are the digital natives and present-day activists.

Gen Alpha were born between2013 to 2025, they are AI immersed since birth.

Gen beta is now born between 2025 to 2039, their key traits are still emerging.

Now the concept of Gen Z and they trying to take over all reigns of change is a huge allegorical concern. The traits they reveal are being steadfast and locked in.

If we want to decode the psychology of this present generation young adults, it’s important to observe that this is entirely an urban phenomenon. These people have been raised by educated and financially stable guardians in homes where bare necessities were forever taken for granted. They grew up with their choice of priorities forever being agreed on by the whole family. They never had to bother about limitations like parental strict rules or reasons to share with siblings for constraint of resources.

They always had their preferences on a platter. Parents have forever been over conscious of their mental health. The Gen X and Millennial parents have been taught to be friends with their children. In this process they never felt that some form of parental control is a part and parcel of a healthy evolving mind.

The saying “Spare the rod spoil the child” has over decades been debated as crude, rustic and unhealthy. But Gen X and to a huge extend millennials were brought up on a scheduled basic control button of living. We knew when to sleep when to wake up. We had no concept about grumbling over food. However, we had full control over our career choice and major decisions of life. In spite of everything we appreciated our parental consensus before we stepped ahead.

The strong, logical and camaraderie that this present generation of young adults have is definitely going to uproot many unhealthy, unseen vices that older generations had resigned to. This needs to be hugely appreciated and encouraged.

There are some other traits about this generation that are new.

This cohort does not believe in boundaries of religion, customs, beliefs and communal thoughts. For them this world is a global village. They believe in identity fluidity.

Many of them are widely travelled and educated in some of the best schools round the world. They are rich in both knowledge and experience. Their upbringing and exposure have made them rather fearless. They are smart, competent and independent. Many are also well connected in the web of power and money and hence do not believe in any constraints.

The other trait they have is the “click button phenomenon”. Their lives mostly education, career, fashion and communication are so centered around the click of a button that they feel that everything is reversible. The control of feelings of romance, anger, hunger and all possible needs are just a click away. Is this what they trust in deciding to take away their own life in a situation of crisis do they believe somewhere in the grey zone of reversibility. India recorded 1,70,746 suicide reports in 2025 and of this the highest numbers were from Maharashtra and students were next in numbers after the daily wage earners. Does this reveal if more advanced scenarios make people more fragile.

The other adorable trait they have is they are very conscious about climate change, mental health awareness, and social justice. Their approach is to deliver justice to everyone.

To add to this, most of them are by birth molded to be corporate polished and tolerant with all aesthetic charm. They very smoothly blend into such roles in their careers. That’s a huge advantage in the world today.

Some of them have seen their parents navigate through the financial crash of 2008. Those families who made it through now have Gen Z’s at home. The impact of it has made a section of these people very risk adverse and pragmatic. Their financial moves are calculated and scientific.

The other important life skill for survival today is resilience and mutual tolerance. This is somewhere many of this new generation often cannot soak in. The kids who had helicopter parents and ever competitive values fail to inculcate many virtues. They are so tuned to only cater to self that there’s dismal blunting to emotions beyond ego.

It’s perhaps food for thought to decode whether what the nation is facing today is an extension of every family’s story or the beginning of better and brighter days. We all want a country where things are fair and clear. The way, the dimension, the approach everything ahead is evolving.

Best wishes to this generation to hold the baton right and lead us without brushing the knowledge, skills and trends that hold the greys and the creases.

Where’s the missing link.

This relation which translates to health care implementation and success needs some attention to work on. To have a fruitful fallout of all the infrastructure and the investments it is mandatory that the patient and the treating doctor should feel being at a comfort zone with each other. Unless there’s mutual trust and an ambience of peace when both the doctor and the patient interact there cannot be any healing impact. The patient’s goal is relief of pain and the doctor’s goal is dedicated service with a hope to be trusted.

There’s no reason to project unholy concepts like doctors are next to God etc. It’s important to realise that a doctor is as much a human-being as any one else.They have just learnt the art of healing the sick with scientific limitations. They themselves are mortals and all their families and friends are as vulnerable. They are as insecure, unsafe and emotionally labile as anyone else. The fact that they choose this profession makes them no different from any other professional. However, the years of devotion, sacrifice and hours of toil that build the foundation of these healers should better not be ignored.

When a self styled monarch from any field of life decides to pounce on a doctor either with blows of words or limbs for the fragility of life then who should be answerable.In our country a class of hooligans smoke, drink and live a unhealthy life and when they reach the hospital bleeding and gasping for breath the helpless doctor on duty is beaten up for his limitations.

The highly skilled and dedicated medical practitioner who earns better sacrificing their own lives are often branded by the society as unethical earners. People envy their lives and some become targets of sarcasm. However, if you choose to go a step ahead and meet a few of the beneficiaries there are often heart touching stories of healing.

Yes, a doctor works through weekends and holidays. They can never stick to strict daily schedules and yet they raise a family and wholeheartedly handle your most valuable possession called life.

Doctors in any sector of work always have the least amount of perks. If one looks at the conveniences that even a senior doctor is legally eligible the count is close to nil. However, if they travel for updating knowledge and skills the common doubt is has he availed any free hospitality. In this highly dynamic field of research unless a doctor upgrades their knowledge then how will they deliver a state of the art skill. If you wish to learn newer concepts and modalities of therapy every doctor should arrange for that financial load themselves. We want our medical service providers to be skilled and upto date but we are not ready to roll out any help. That’s the ground reality.

The greatest hazard of being a doctor today is the lack of trust that the society displays. A class of people come to doctors only to crosscheck what chat GPT or Gemini says. They not only believe that they know more about their disease than the doctor does, they are also not satisfied with the knowledge and skills of any one practitioner. The style of doctor shopping and choosing the most acceptable line of management is very common.

The pleasure of gauging every healer and rebuking their decisions is a hobby of the same section of netizens.

Unless their is a bridge of trust and human emotions between the sick and the healer this relationship is bound to suffer.

Not every person is dying. The ones who move with faith, co operation and compliance are always benefited. Man is mortal there’s no nectar of immortality . The doctor can help you to heal pain or live with less pain. Some diseases are curable and some are controllable. Denial to accept certain situations are the root cause of discord.

In earlier times the knowledge and skills of doctors were far less. The patients still trusted the healer and accepted their limitations. Today expertise is far superior but people have lot of apprehension and mistrust. The result is neither the doctor is safe nor are patients happy. Over time this profession will prove to be most hazardous and frustrating.

Unless, we all accept reality and believe in the genesis and evolution of illness and the process of healing things cannot change. Trust is crucial on both ends of any interaction.

by

Dr Madhumita Priyadarshini Das

Workplace culture and etiquette is an ingrained trait. As life carries us up the ladder of hierarchy, we reach a position when one gets to view other peoples work culture. There are many pros and cons to every situation that we reach on to in life. If all your life you’ve held work at a position of commitment, when you reach a place where you get to monitor comrades in office shock absorbers need to be lubricated.

The chair of the leader that you hold for a duration on time would logically ask you to be tolerant. That’s what I am choosing to be today. But the bitterness generated around is at times unpalatable.

A section of people who all through your career tried to show how diligent and dedicated they’ve been are always the ones who disillusioned me with canniness. Astuteness is a skill of the loyal and faithful. The question that nags is why do the deceitful masquerade integrity and uprightness at the highest level.

People who work with honesty and uprightness never feel the need to demonstrate the same. It’s only the ones who have paraphernalias of possessions in their nature and persona to cover up need the skill to exhibit excellence in their work culture.

A sincere worker tends to trust that everyone else is also in the same boots as them. The height of dedication or sense of responsibility needs no demonstration with words of self praise.

To wrap it all life has taught that ardent dedication of any form need no showcasing. It’s only the shades of grey in personalities of deceit that need a umbrella of cover to always standout in a crowd of coworkers.

Madhumita Priyadarshini Das

The virtue of holding oneself accountable is an acquired trait of any responsible person. We are usually tuned to carry out our designated responsibility. Most people would go ahead to do what they should and often not bother about the consequences or sequel of their assignments. There are only a section of uncustomary sparse individuals who would care to hold oneself accountable for specially the aftermath of their actions.

This rather thin on ground trait makes life what it is. The greatest example today for us is the flash floods of Guwahati city the place we call home. Nobody, is ready to shoulder any responsibility in all orders of hierarchy. Accountable people have gotten so blameshifting that we commoners are left bewildered.

The loss to mental health and property of every affected household is beyond the comprehension of the answerable people. However, how do they not feel guilty for the death of healthy earning members of families or even young children or the elderly. Does paying money to family members compensate for the indelible mourning that they plunge into.

When a sick person dies whether in the hospital or at home, there’s often a lot of aftermath debate . What happens when manmade flash city floods take lives. Why is no one held answerable.

Every bout of flood leaves people disgusted, tired, financially drained and bereaved. Then comes news bites, reels and depiction of the plight of the repeatedly ruined people. Is this a funny anecdote.

Who will someday shoulder this responsibility.

Talk shows and bureaucrats are all overflows with brilliant ideas. The disconnect is perhaps in the available knowledge and skills and the implementation of the same.

Unless, someone takes up the accountability of this situation and roll in their ingenious conceptions nothing will materialise. We common men cannot decipher this allocation of responsibilities. Some honest being in position of power should come forward and lead this task. If you notice, it’s obvious that the situation is getting worse with time.

People are trying to salvage themselves by raising their plinth, making drains within their jurisdiction, trying to tell others to do away with plastics. But in reality this situation has gotten far more grave and life threatening than it was.

Here’s an open appeal to who ever is accountable to take up the task on a war footing and save this drowning city which is the gateway to the northeast .

Dr Madhumita Priyadarshini Das

Students, I consider you as my extended family. In the very beginning I want to make it clear that I am not the person who want you to be ideal in any way.

I am here addressing mostly our postgraduate students.

However, there are certain evolving vibes that has been bothering us off late. A teacher is someone who’s appointed by the authorities to share what is relevant for you to mould your knowledge and skills in the pursuit of your post graduation degree.

Now, talking about Medical Education, unlike any other field here the build up of expertise is a two way traffic. We, work across holidays or set working hours. There are times when we are ready to learn from you all, none of us can ever feel completely equipped to sail in life without updating. A doctor is a student forever.

The three years that you come to spend with us is actually a privilege for both of us if you wish to believe. As you learn and we teach, the teacher brushes up old and new concepts and you students are the reason why we read and update. You give us the zeal to pursue knowledge and we feel happy to share what we know and expect you all to build up from there and also share. This on going flow of knowledge is the beauty of medical education.

Our academic sessions, conferences, publications and presentations are far more enjoyable than the usual social parties. We unknowingly build up a bond over the period that you come to work with us. There’s no expectations that we hold as teachers, but we feel happy when you recognise us over the days and years that you start to evolve after you hold your qualification.

Today a student is a colleague tomorrow. The binding of social etiquette and official norms should always be respected sine dine. You never loose your place or position if you decide to show some reverence to your one time teacher. This appears to be a dwindling trait amongst a section of doctors.

There’s another trend that hurts your teachers which I wish to open up with. As you are aware that, we handle human lives the value of which is priceless. We confide in you all for various levels of responsibilities in patient care. At times when you shrug such accountabilities the anguish it creates in us is unsurmountable. We readily take the responsibility of every challenge that arises in patient care, but you should be aware about your portion of assignment.

A veteran teacher can often read whether you are an academically brilliant doctor or a skilfully nurtured clinician. In medical science knowledge is power but skill is success.

To wrap up this brief relationship message I wish to say that without support you cannot sail. As such maintain your part well during your training period and after it’s done never cross social and official practices or benchmarks.

Our teachers took pride in us and we always take the pleasure of showing reverence when ever the situation permits.

I hope I am not misunderstood . It’s always easier to write down ones thoughts to get across.

Hoping to hear back from you all.

Dr Madhumita Priyadarshini Das

Life is a great teacher of the art of surviving. When we reach a stage in life having survived through good and bad, we learn compliance. It is this trust in the course of events that finally carries us to a destination is what we learn as we move in life.

Youth is packed with a lot of energy. This stage makes us set goals, pursue that with vigor   and up until we get things realized the zeal keeps us sustained. This is the positive side of youth, and that’s the reason why the whole world evolves. However, there’s also a negative aspect of this huge power that youth behold. There’s a tendency to believe that result of hard work and perseverance is always positive. Life teaches the opposite with senescence. The set destination, hard work and perseverance are not the only variables for success in life. There are many unseen constants that come to play as we move on. 

The ability to believe that not everything that’s happening is within my bandwidth of control is something life makes us learn with living.

We read, we watch, we listen to information and we tend to believe we are equipped to face circumstances. The reality is far from this. Unless, we’ve stumbled, fallen and trembled with uncertainties we never imbibe the skill to believe that everything in life evolves. 

The greatest truth that age teaches is nothing is permanent.

Our views, likes, dislikes and notions are all a product of our circumstances. As situations change, and we encounter realities we soak into beliefs which may be radically opposite to what we thought. These are the teachings of living. 

Unless, you’ve lived the life of a farmer you can never comment about the soil or the seed. 

Books teach us what situations are usually like. But life teaches us the infinite variations of reality. Maturity makes us resilient, patient and optimistic. 

Having lived till this day for over six decades of journey, what I want to give back to the younger generations is the ability to nurture calmness. Nothing in life remains unaffected with time. Our failures, victories, insecurities and power, everything is bound by time. All we can master is the patience to hold on through the lows and humility to soak in the highs.

Some questions about human behaviour are forever unanswered. We ponder, perceive and find no answers but sometimes later on we ourselves gel into such situations with no queries. Humans understand all what’s right and what’s wrong. We know what to do in every setting but we choose what’s convenient. The person who chooses to abide by rules is sometimes identified as weird or half witted.

We all wish to keep life sailing. The question here is, should this be ever at the cost of divesting others ? At times, self love bind folds us with irrationality that we forget virtues like gratitude and commitment. When a person moves to avail dreams and expectations in life they simply eliminate all contenders sometimes irrespective of all ethics and scruples. The unanswered question is why so predatory ?.

Each of us wish to live a comfortable life. We invest and maintain the needed amenities within the jurisdiction of our homes. The question here is when the maintenance of utilities meant for public convenience is concerned some people are just nonchalant. Here again the unanswered question is, why such lack of mutual interest ?

We all know rules and regulations for every sphere of existence. We are aware of what’s right and what’s not. We never hesitate to point a finger at any one when codes or directives are violated. But the subconscious trust is adherence to law is not my responsibility when my comfort zone is trespassed. The question here is, why do we conveniently infringe regulations for ourselves ?.

We expect help and trust from every other comrade of life for our living. When it’s our own turn to get back, we tend to prioritise our ease and often cool our heels and stay in place. The question again is, why do some people consider themselves as extraordinary when it’s their turn to grant favours ?.

Man is made of flesh and blood and emotions that govern our expectations. Each of us understand every bit of this. When the question of empathy comes in some people facade themselves, why ?

These questions about life and living can go on. The paradox is these questions forever remain unanswered how much ever we ruminate.

There’s a saying “Power corrupts” !!! . This is not universal. If someone climbs the ladder to success by fair ways and means through the grill of skill and rules they always know to fit into that chair. Problems arise when someone bypasses rules managing favours and hidden strings . People who rise that way cannot comprehend their responsibilities and limitations. Such person’s often feel disrespected in their position of illegitimate seat of command. When people are in such existential crisis they often grip into office by exerting their air of power.

The very fact that a person feels the need to be rude and pompous with power to make their position felt proves their ineptitude and redundance. Such people, usually have frequent swings of favouritism and loud behavioural misconduct in public. One’s behaviour in office is a reflection of his inner self and the nurturing that’s behind the making of every person. Those who come from elite and educated families can never rebuke colleagues at work. The fact that some individuals can take power of position to arrogance and belittle or mock co workers itself is a testimony to their meagreness.

At work we are all defined by allocation of responsibilities. Our hierarchy of position is within the jurisdiction of office. The rules that govern us are grossly the same. We are bound by understanding and mutual respect. The fact that, an associate at work is courteous does not mean weakness. Courtesy is the language of the creme de la creme. This top tier pick of the litter cannot be traded with power or position. To have that aura of inherent aristocracy one needs to be nurtured in a background of such values.

Money cannot buy class. Neither can position define a person. The real test of a gentleman is in their behaviour with strangers (John / Jane doe ). Such people groom themselves to be polite unless instigated with lawlessness. These are the individuals who are approachable, helpful and empathetic. They know to bluster with ego and arrogance when the situation demands. These people are not weak they are marchese. They carry an aura of politeness and respect every person they interact with. This class of humans come from nurturing of values over time and the nature they carry down generations of erudite families.

Power is a armament for the accomplished competent individual who knows to fit into the boots they wear legitimately.

Human’s forever are on the look out. When we are young we crave to be older. As students we aspire for the career ahead. Once in a relationship we dream of marriage. The married paradoxically often never make sacrifices to keep the promises made.

Work unfolds an never ending horizon of intent, deligence, determination and a gratification to persue forever. This way the treads of aspiration keep moving to weave in tandem a weird harmony of the paradox of life.

When children are young parents often crib about the responsibilities and not being available for their own passions. The contradiction is when they grow up and fly out of the nest we start grieving about the emptiness.

Not just with ourselves, we consider our lives as incomplete until we’ve seen our next generation grow and sustain. As humans we are never ever done and happy to call it an achievement or a blessing at any stage of life that we are in. The coolest enigma is “On retrospect the past is always the best”.

Have you noticed the rising numbers of geriatric melancholia and dejection. When we are younger and always occupied with the drudgery of profession we crave for a sabbath. With superannuation people sink into lonliness and forlorn despair. The paradox is work is painful but rest is paradoxically awful.

When we are living at the present moment unless we wittingly remind ourselves, we often drift into reflections of the past or ambiguity about the future. It takes a whole life time to learn to enjoy and cherish the moment with gratitude. Thankfulness as tribute to every little blessing life offers is a virtue to be learnt.

Whenever a single disaster strikes we brood and believe that ‘I am the most unlucky’. Till that day, did we ever accept that we’ve been lucky all along. There are two major highlights about crisis in life. Up until we face a problem we tend to believe subconsciously that ‘all this can never happen to me, be it illness, emotional or financial breaks” .The day we encounter catastrophe the paradox of trust divulges to make us say with conviction that “nobody is as unfortunate as me”

The reality about life is we human’s have paradoxical reactions and perceptions about life and living. It is prudent to live in the moment, savour the situation and cultivate thankfulness. There isn’t any human who’s walked this planet without obstacles. Every person on earth is facing their own battles. The virtue to harvest peace at any point in life is a consciously nurtured skill.

To relate happiness to money, social status and other gains is the most unrealistic balance of paradoxes. However we are not metahumans nor ascetics . We all need the stability of existence to feel tranquil . We need to willingly perceive that each of our battles may not be the same but we bear similar weightage for existence and so we need to be empathetic towards one another.

The need for losses to appreciate the happiness of gains is a great paradox of life. It’s often conspicuous that the most thankful and peaceful souls are the ones who have had terrible existence in reality.

When it comes to abiding ethics / rules in life all of us know every bit of it. The paradox is implementation of rules is always an expectation on others and with self we confidently blindfold ourselves with genuine reasons.This makes us often unhappy with what others are doing. Some people are always miserable with a set of friends and colleagues for unmet expectations. This class of people paradoxically least introspect on what they themselves have met up with.

We buy goodies ( outfits and accessories ) of living for that very special day of our lives, the paradox is we never realise when that day passes by . One fine day we count that the beautiful cookery and doilies never made it to the table in years waiting for the right day. Similar it is with our exquisite outfits.We buy them with pleasure and paradoxically linger for eternity looking for the opportune occasion till we realise it fits us no longer or at times has gone outmoded and obsolete. The paradoxes of life just go on.

But all said and done, the wrap up message that six decades of living has taught me is , Today is the best day of my life !!! lets believe this with affirmation. We have woken up to a new day, we are healthy, there’s a family to cater to and also lean back on and this is the greatest blessing I have from the universe. Feeling blessed is a rectitude of the witan.

Dr Madhumita Priyadarshini Das