Santanu Saraswati
Kolkata, November 16
I left hardcore journalism more than 2 years back after getting dejected by the way journalism in Kolkata was moving ahead. Neither there was a scope to give vent to my feelings, nor scope of writing the truth, especially in direct speech.
We were taught in Ananda Bazar Patrika as well as in Hindustan Times, that a journalist should first understand the psychology of his reader and write just what he sees. Since print media has to fight every morning with the electronic media coming up first with the news along with its visuals, print media news stories should always be a story behind the story--keeping in mind that readers, irrespective of classes, wish to see only their face in the media.
This was what eminent journalist, Suman Chattapadhyay, used to say always. With due respect to one and all, I have never seen a journalist like Vir Sanghvi and Suman Chattapadhyay, in my life. They are the real story-teller. Always being successful in taking their readers to the place--just where the incident took place.
I was always an Ekalabya of my loving Suman-da. When I was leaving ABP Group in 1992, Suman-da joined this newspaper as joint news editor from its Delhi office. I learnt a lot from him--by talking to him, by sharing many pleasantries, too. But journalism in Kolkata started changing with the footprints of mushrooming Non-Banking Finance companies--Like Saradha.
The huge scarcity of good journalists made room for some half-educated people sitting in media houses and writing all that don't matter to the people. I was little unfortunate during that period--left Hindustan Times for a then upcoming Vernacular daily called Sakalbela, run by a NBFC--Saradha. Very few were really good journalists--rests were just, least said is better.
I joined Globsyn Technologies Limited as senior manager-corporate communication in June 2011. Till then though I write in some magazines like Business Economics--I never went back to journalism again. I rather keep in touch with people through greetings messages and sometimes over telephone, except few--who are being treasured by me and will be for all time to come. There are people--whom I never met in person in my life--but we know each other well--through other forms of communication. One of them is obviously Dr Alok Roy, founder of Medica Super-specialty Hospital at E M Bypass. I went to his hospital thrice--but just during the initial phase when Medica started its operation. I went there to interview few doctors like endocrinologist, Abhijit Chanda and few others, but never met Dr Roy. Rather, I applied to him for a suitable placement when I was jobless for a month after leaving the Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata. Somehow, it didn't matured and I am yet to meet him in person.
After leaving journalism, I took one very reality for granted that I will not be recognized by people and politicians any more as I was during my days as a scribe. But November 15th morning--was some how different. I was in a grocery shop buying sauces when my mobile started ringing. The voice on the other-side was known, but his number was not saved in my phone.
--"Hello, who is it?"
--"Santanu-da, it's Partha. Partha Bhattacharya of Globsyn. Do you remember me?"
--"Yes Partha, I do remember you. But I am in a grocery shop. Can I call you in few minutes?"
--"Santanu-da, I really need you. Please do something." Then I heard the sounds of his breaking down into tears.
I thought, Partha must be in deep trouble as this is the time when Globsyn downsize its number of employees--without any little reason. The organisation hire people with good salary and give very little time to show their worth. Even nearly two years of leaving that organisation, I still get calls from Globsyn people--whenever they are into any trouble--be it for getting their Tatkal passport application attested by high government officials, for a job or even at the dead of the night after meeting a road accident. I don't mind standing by their side in the hours of need, though I still have reservations about few incompetent lecturers of Globsyn Business School. True, they are fortunate--as they at least able to quote them as "lecturer" in the society--without deserving a little. Globsyn Business School helped them getting that platform. Thanks to Mr Bikram Dasgupta--I adore till date.
I came back home and called Partha up. Partha took my call and told he will be calling me in just few minutes. His voice was choked. I could visualize his face, hearing the saga. His mother got a bypass surgery at Medica Super-specialty Hospital on November 1 under Dr Kunal Sarkar. Since then she is in ventilation. And the amount of bills--are just going beyond his limit of payment, even though he has two health insurances. Partha is borrowing money from the bank--but with little hope of his mother getting back to her normal life. Partha was crying--just broken into tears--" Please do something Santanu-da. I want my mother back. " I could feel his mental condition remember my days way back in 2005 when my father was in his death bed--suffering from stage-IV carcinoma in his right colon.
I assured Partha of all sorts of help God will permit doing for him. And I promised him talking to Dr Kunal Sarkar--as I still consider him as the best cardio-thoracic surgeon in this part of the country. I personally know Kunal-da and have high respect for him. But couldn't understand--how really it happened when Kunal-da himself performed the surgery!
I knew afternoon is not the best time to call up Dr Sarkar. So decided to write an email to Dr Alok Roy in my present capacity, requesting him to take up Partha's issue at personal level and consider the financial aspects too. I sent him the e-mail with a copy marked to the Associate Vice-President-Corporate, Globsyn Technology Limited, Mr T N Raju. I decided to leave the entire thing with the God, as I strongly believe that without His wishes, nothing moves in this world.
Partha called me up in the evening at around 8:30 pm. And I came to know the untold story. Dr Roy took this issue at a very personal level and rendering all sorts of help and cooperation, possible from his side to Partha Bhattacharya. I was amazed by Dr Roy's gesture. So decided to pen down this story for my readers. People should know about Dr Roy and obviously the services his hospital is providing to the patients and their relatives--going much beyond the present day hospital-patient relationship.
I am really privileged to know you Dr Alok Roy. And I have no words to say, thank you, thank you very much! I have received your e-mail and obviously from Komal Dashora, Vice President- Operations, Medica Superspecialty Hospital. I will be sending you the link so that you too, can read what you have done for people like us. Thank you. Thank you all.
Partha is much relieved as I could feel from his voice over the phone last night. He was thanking me. So was his colleague, Ramit Bose, senior manager-HR, Globsyn Technologies Limited. But there is nothing to thank. I just did my human duties--the lesson my father taught me in life.
santanusaraswati@aol.com
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