CATEGORIES

FOR THE PEOPLE

The history of India’s efforts to build a welfare state, paving the path to freedom, opportunity and justice for all citizens, is both uplifting and sobering.

THE GOOD FIGHT

The story of India is also astory of inherent inequities. Some individuals and groups showed not just the vision to dream of a better, more just society but also the grit and conviction to build it

YASHODA SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITALS

Providing Technologically Advanced Treatment with Human Touch

Unchaining India

The Yashoda Group in its over 3 decades of existence has built a rich legacy in the Delhi NCR region. It is hailed for its super specialty treatment, complex surgeries, international expertise, and state of art infrastructure. In this interview, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals' director, Upasana Arora, sheds light on the group's journey and the current trends in the healthcare industry. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THE YASHODA GROUP Yashoda Hospitals started its operations in the 1990s. We commenced with a 100-bed hospital. The hospital group is named after my mother-in-law, Yashoda, who died of cancer. My husband resolved that he wouldn't let others undergo the sufferings that our family had to endure. We have a strong emotional connection with the hospital because we started it from scratch. In over 3 decades of our existence, we have managed to register constant growth. PERSONALLY, HOW DO YOU REFLECT ON YOUR JOURNEY WITH THE YASHODA GROUP? My initial journey wasn't easy since I didn't belong to a healthcare background. While others in the family all were medical professionals. So people had apprehensions about how I could contribute to the hospitals since I didn't have experience in the field. This was in early 2000. The use of computers was not very common. I advocated the use of the best that technology had to offer in the field. Earlier, oxygen would come in cylinders, I got tanks installed. Diesel would be stored in drums, I got underground pipes placed. Realising the importance of keeping oneself updated with the latest developments in the medical field I got a seminar hall constructed for the exchange of ideas. I worked arduously for earning NABH Accreditation for our hospitals. Over the decades I pursued multiple courses and focused on up-skilling myself. PLEASE EXPLAIN IN DETAIL ABOUT YOUR MEDICITY PROJECT AND WHAT SETS IT APART. Medicity is a dream that both my husband and I have nurtured for a while now. Yashoda group stands for quality healthcare at affordable prices. There is this perception that private hospitals are unaffordable for patients belonging to modest income backgrounds. But at our hospitals, the thrust has always been on serving patients from all income groups. We believe that everyone, regardless of their economic background, should be able to avail of technologically advanced medical treatment. Whether a person is seeking treatment for heart ailments, cancer or neurological issues, our endeavours are directed at providing the best possible line of treatment. At Medicity, we have brought together some of the best brains in the medical fraternity under one roof. It also boasts cutting-edge medical facilities provided at affordable prices. IN YOUR HOSPITALS, YOU ALSO TAKE CARE TO BUILD THE RIGHT AMBIENCE. WHAT ALL GOES INTO THAT? Yes, we make a conscious effort in ensuring that people who visit our facilities do not feel that they are in a hospital. The idea is to provide the comfort of a home (away from home). Be it visual or sound aesthetics, the emphasis is on creating an ambience that is therapeutic in it itself. Every member of our team is committed to providing a soothing experience to those visiting us. You would hear 'Om Chantings' in our hospitals to reduce stress and build a relaxing environment. We also use fragrances to conceal the smell of the cleaning agents and create a fresh and inviting ambience. We use varied aromas such as sandalwood, camphor and jasmine. There are vibrant statues and paintings that we place on the walls and shelves. Additionally, we have a dedicated area for worship for the family members of the patients. You would find Gita, Quran, Guru Granth Sahib and Bible there. We also strongly believe in the importance of imparting human touch to all that we do. To make sure that the people walking into our hospitals do not feel lost, there are coordinators stationed at various points in our hospitals. So whether the patient has to visit, OPD or IPD, there is guidance ready at hand. We prioritise building a strong connection between the patient and our team. We have Hospital Infection Control (HIC) meetings every month. The average stay of a patient at our hospitals is between one and a half to two days. Our thrust is on the speedy recovery of the patients. THE GROUP HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF INTRODUCING PHARMACO AND MATERIOVIGILANCE IN INDIA. WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL? Yashoda Group is the only one among the private hospitals to provide for Pharmaco and Materiovigilance in Uttar Pradesh. We collect data from other hospitals and various pharmacies to identify the drugs that are evoking adverse reactions on a large scale. The government then undertakes further research on that drug and on spotting issues bans the drug altogether. Being an authorised centre for Pharmaco and Materiovigilance, we are in the position to help the wider medical fraternity with our data. YOU HAVE ALSO EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES ESPOUSED BY YOU? Both my husband and I are extremely grateful for the respect that society has given us. We are working to further the cause of women's education. We have adopted a large number of girl children. We have taken the responsibility of providing for all their needs. We are also working to prevent the occurrence of anaemia among women. Yashoda Group has adopted 5100 TB patients in Ghaziabad. I am also associated with Special Olympics Bharat. It uses the vehicle of sports to transform the lives of children with intellectual disabilities. One derives a lot of satisfaction by being of use to the deprived sections of society. In fact, through the medium of this interview, I would urge all those with the means to do their bit to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. IN THE FIELD OF HEALTHCARE, PATIENTS' TRUST IS OF UTMOST SIGNIFICANCE. WHAT HOLDS THE KEY TO WINNING THAT CONFIDENCE? There was a time when doctors were revered. The relationship was of mutual respect. But of late that has changed. There is now a trust deficit. I don't think any doctor deliberately tries to harm his patients. But it is important for medical professionals to maintain transparency. They should help the patient understand the exact nature of his situation so that the patient can make informed decisions. While imparting treatment it is also important to add human touch so that the patient and his family feel comfortable. Communication is of utmost importance in the field of healthcare. So we provide specialised training to our employees to prevent instances of communication gaps. Our patients are our brand ambassadors. We don't go out splurging on marketing ourselves, instead, we focus on winning the trust of our patients, who then recommend us to others. AND YOUR EFFORTS HAVE RECEIVED RECOGNITION IN THE FORM OF VARIOUS AWARDS. WHICH ARE THE ONES PARTICULARLY GRATIFYING? We are grateful to have received numerous awards and recognitions for our efforts. While our trophy cabinet is ever-expanding, I strongly feel that it is the letters that our patients leave for us that we are most grateful for. DO YOU THINK THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT ANY (MAJOR) CHANGES IN PEOPLE'S APPROACH TOWARDS HEALTHCARE? During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nature of the virus required the patients to be kept in isolation. Staying away from their loved ones posed an emotional challenge for the patients and their kin. At most hospitals, even the doctors were reluctant to pay multiple visits to the COVID wards. But at our hospitals, our doctors and members of the nursing staff, remained actively involved in the treatment. They would regularly visit the patients and offer them assurance and emotional support, apart from the medical treatment. That really helped us earn a lot of great reviews. An important lesson that the pandemic has taught is the unpredictability of life. Additionally, post-pandemic the cases of heart attacks too have increased massively. All that has made people more conscious about their health. They are no longer callous about their ailments and seek professional help for them. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE PEOPLE MEDICALLY FURTHER AWARE SO THAT THEY CAN GET TIMELY TREATMENT? There is an adage that states prevention is better than cure. People should get annual health checkups done. Also, there is a pressing need to make lifestyle changes. Most people, owing to their busy professional schedules, spend a large part of the day on chairs. Such a sedentary lifestyle is the root of various diseases. Health is wealth. If one is battling a life-threatening disease, everything around the patient comes to a standstill. So not giving due importance to health when one still has time, can be lethal. Mental health is an area which is not given due attention. Most people battling mental health issues do not head for medical help. It is still taboo in our society. This is despite the increase in mental health problems post the pandemic. We constantly keep organising mental health awareness campaigns to make this concern a part of public discourse. WHAT ARE THE FUTURE PLANS OF THE GROUP? Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed a lot of emphasis on medical tourism. Nearly 2 million patients visit India each year from 78 countries for medical, wellness and IVF treatments. We want to contribute further to provide a greater boost to this industry. We want to do our bit to help India gain recognition as the best destination for healthcare in the world. Indian medical professionals are playing a key role in the growth of the healthcare industries in the UK & the US. So there is no dearth of Indian talent. We want to open our centres in foreign countries as well and showcase to the world the various technologically advanced & traditionally rich treatment methods of India.

Once Upon a Time in Bollywood

So many films by the same filmmaker are personal favourites that it was an agonising task choosing between them. Mother India or Andaz? Pyaasa, Sahib Bibi... or Mr. & Mrs. 55? Awaara or Shree 420? Devdas or Do Bigha Zamin? Selecting 10 films from a period of 75 years is inherently impossible. But here's a list, in alphabetical order, of landmark movies that have deeply impacted popular Hindi cinema.

The Eyes Have it

Divas whose souls lit up the screen like flickering diyas...

Full of Character

Prince or pauper, intense or flighty, silent or singing, the Hindi film hero acted out a rainbow life. A pick of the best.

THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW

The best moments in Indian judicial history came when the courts looked not at the law but at the first principles of justice-at the oft-unwritten credo that underlies the Constitution

Worldly Wise

Diplomacy is a process; real successes and failures sometimes manifest years after the event. What is hailed as a triumph today may be perceived as an optical illusion or even a debacle later. This listing also filters out the foreign policy achievements that are the accumulated outcome of technological progress (such as the Peaceful Nuclear Explosion of 1974) or military power (the battlefield victory in Bangladesh in 1971 or the Kargil war), although both categories of achievements had a significant diplomatic aspect. This is a listing of known and less well-known diplomatic achievements that showcase Indian diplomacy's ability to seize opportunities, think out of the box, and hold its nerve in the face of intense global pressure.

Big, Bold and Powerful

Ten mega public infrastructure projects that have had a profound impact on post-Independence India’s overall development

A Harvest of Plenty

Over the past 75 years, India has turned from a ship to mouth’ situation to being more or less self-sufficient in the basic staples

GUTS AND GLORY

Two months after Independence, the Indian military was engaged in the first of the many wars and conflicts it would fight to safeguard the country's national security. I have looked at battles that were won and contributed significantly to influencing the post-war geostrategic landscape and the shaping of India's frontiers.

A Robust Pulse

In a subcontinental spread like India with a highly populous federal polity, the health challenges are many and achievements vary across states. That said, in the past 75 years, there have been several areas of success. These include...

An Infinite Canvas for Living Traditions

India influenced global tastes and affairs for millennia, with what it imagined, crafted and transacted. Whether in royal collections or temple stores, gathered by connoisseurs or hoarders, India's treasures have always had takers.

The Reservation Circle

Chhattisgarh’s complex caste equations are at the centre of a pitched political battle between the BJP and Congress in the runup to the 2023 assembly polls.

THE KEY TO HAPPINESS

IT LIES IN LEARNING OF THE DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN RISE AND LIVE ANEW EVEN AS WE KEEP FALLING

Sunshine Village

Happiness delivery: Modhera in Gujarat has become a net-renewable energy generator, setting an extraordinary example for sustainable living

A Shade Better

Happiness delivery: Forest First has not only helped restore native plant species in the Western Ghats but has also improved the lives of local communities

Helping Hand on the Sundarbans

Happiness delivery: Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha helps people in the Sundarbans’ remote coastal villages battle grim lives by taking care of their basic needs

ART AND SOUL

Happiness delivery: Reviving traditional handicrafts such as the Kani shawl by introducing new designs and patterns, inspiring the younger generation to learn the craft of their forefathers and using art to dispel stereotypes about Kashmir

SHIFTING THE LINES

From the very first day of 2023, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam.

Breakfast Mama

Happiness delivery: A primary school teacher at a tribal school in Kerala takes steps to make sure her wards are not sitting in class hungry

All Is Not Well Between Shinde And Fadnavis

For legislators of the ruling Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (BSS)-BJP coalition in Maharashtra, every day might bring reminders of that famous dialogue— “taarikh pe taarikh” (one date after the other)—from the 1990s potboiler Damini.

In a Higher Space

Happiness delivery: Hasudi Ausanpur in Uttar Pradesh's impoverished Siddharthnagar district ticks all the boxes of a smart village, bagging seven national awards

IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Most of us are driven by visions of personal happiness, but there are rare individuals who work tirelessly for the joy of helping the marginalised whether specially-abled, orphaned, malnourished or just down on their luck. We celebrate people and organisations that bring smiles to the faces of so many

CONGRESS 'YUKT' BHARAT

The last day of 2022 seemed the perfect occasion for Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to make another pivot, one that can potentially inflect the course of Indian politics.

COSTLY OVERSIGHT

A technical lapse could prove to be the undoing of the BJP's carefully cultivated OBC strategy in Uttar Pradesh.

Mad about Children

Happiness delivery: Founded by Jithin Nedumala when he was just 20, Make a Difference has helped hundreds of orphaned children break free of the cycle of poverty

A Signal Achievement

Happiness delivery: A school that operates under a flyover at a busy junction provides underprivileged street children education, three square meals a day, and also trains them in life skills

Well Worth It

Happiness delivery: The Million Wells campaign is striving to rejuvenate Bengaluru's groundwater table while providing a livelihood to the Mannu Vaddar welldigging community