The Jim Corbett Park Trip

Around Christmas time there were many stories, films, shows, etc. centered on the Christmas spirit and miracles. Well, I don’t have a Christmas story to share, but I will like to share a story that is nothing short of a miracle which happened to one of the faculty members of AIIMS, New Delhi. 

Dr. Sameer Chandler (Fictional Name) was a surgeon in the Department of Surgery, in AIIMS, New Delhi. 

He, along with his family members went to visit Jim Corbett national park in the foothills of Himalayas mountain, by self-driving in his car. The Jim Corbett Park is situated at a distance around 260 kilometers (approx. 160 miles) from Delhi. As frequently happens while traveling, he happened to spend the money much beyond his budget and had only just enough money to drive back to Delhi. 

Please Note: This was the days before credit cards, e-wallets, mobile and internet banking and cell phones. Even to call from one city to another was not easy and not possible from many remote places. If the money in your pocket is exhausted there was no way you could get any money in an emergency. Even out of city cheques used to take 4-5 days to get the money deposited in your account.

Unfortunately, his car developed some mechanical problems on the way back and he had to stop at a car repair shop to get his car checked. The mechanic at the repair shop within minutes almost dismantled the car saying that this and that part are not working properly and gave him a large estimated bill to get his car repaired. 

On seeing the amount, Dr. Sameer got stunned as the amount was far beyond the money that was with him. Standing dazed and thinking of how to pay for the repair of his car, a man walked up to him. 

The stranger asked Dr. Sameer, ‘Are you a doctor?’ Though, surprised at why a stranger was asking him this Dr. Sameer replied, ‘Yes, I am.’ 

The stranger then asked, ‘Are you a surgeon in AIIMS?’ (At that time there was only one AIIMS in the world.) Getting more amazed at the stranger’s question, Dr. Sameer replied, ‘Yes, I am indeed a surgeon in AIIMS.’ 

‘But why are you asking me these things?’ enquired Dr. Sameer.

The man lifted up his shirt to show a long midline scar in his abdomen, characteristic of exploratory laparotomy, a major abdomen operation, done in AIIMS. Pointing at his scar, the man said, ‘Sir, you had operated on me in AIIMS, a few years ago and saved my life. Since some time had passed from the operation I just wanted to confirm if it was indeed you.’ 

The man then asked why Dr. Sameer was standing there. When he came to know about the car repair bill, he lent Dr. Sameer the money to pay for the repair of his car so that he can continue on his journey back to AIIMS, New Delhi.  

I am not saying that if you do your work well, serve the patients and society, a ‘stranger’ will turn up and help you whenever you are in trouble. A patient who was operated in AIIMS, New Delhi, turning up on the way to Jim Corbett park at the exact time and place where Dr. Sameer was facing difficulty is nothing sort of rare miracle. But this is just a reminder that miracles do occur to good people even this modern time.

On a mundane plane, the actual expenses on a trip may turn out to be one and a half to double the estimated amount. Arrange at least 50% more money than expected before proceeding on a trip.

Always keep some money in reserve for unexpected emergencies while traveling and do not spend it in any condition except in true emergencies.

Have a support system to call for help in an emergency.  One businessman from Kota went on a European holiday trip and even his expenses escalated beyond his estimated target. The balance in his international debit card almost become zero. He then called his younger brother who then quickly deposited the extra money in his bank account in their home town linked with his travel card, tiding his crisis.

(Based on allegedly true incidents)

— ND

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DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purposes. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use the information herein is at your one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purposes. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use the information herein is at your one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Education should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost and according to MCI and other Board’s norms.