Spring in Sandalwood forest

reeparna thinks about Kolkata while seated in her chamber at the Bhagabatpur rural health centre. She believes her best days are being spent in this health centre.

- SOMNATH MAJUMDER

Nearly one year has passed since she joined as a health officer at the Bhagabatpur health centre. She had been idle for a long time after passing her M.B.B.S. without securing employment. However, she used to work a part-time job in a small private nursing home alongside private practice.

There was no proper infrastructure in that nursing home, and the working hours were quite long. Sometimes, her working hours extended to twenty-four hours. She had to handle numerous patients with different types of complications, but she was the only doctor. In private practice, her earnings were also too small, as patients were hesitant about visiting a new doctor. These days, patients often look for specialists with qualifications like an M.D.

She struggled with financial hardships while supporting her family, which comprised her ailing, retired father, her mother, and her two younger brothers who were still studying. At that critical time, Sreeparna Ghosh was selected in the West Bengal health service examination. After two years, she was called for an interview at Swastha Bhavan and received her joining letter to report to the Bhagabatpur rural health centre under the Canning subdivision.

She looks at her wristwatch; it is 4:00 p.m. The days are short in the month of November. After lunch, she notices the daylight gradually fading. The pressure of outdoor patients is high on weekends since the health centre remains closed on Sundays. She looks outside from her chamber, marvelling at the majestic beauty of the Thakurani River, which gives her a unique sense of peace. She is delighted by the natural beauty of the Sundarbans.