Honouring Doctors and Reflecting on the Journey to Becoming One
What did you want to be when you were 5?
Every child, with a sparkle in their eye and a heart full of dreams, often envisions themselves donning a white coat, holding a stethoscope, and saving lives. The aspiration to become a doctor isn't just about prestige; it's about the noble desire to heal, care, and be a hero in someone's life.
Why does everyone say they want to be a doctor?
Because in the innocent world of a child, a doctor is a saviour. They see doctors as those who can mend the broken, soothe the pain, and bring hope to the hopeless. The dream is simple yet profound: to make the world a better place by alleviating suffering.
But what happens when we grow up?
As we navigate the complexities of life, that dream often seems to drift away. The road to becoming a doctor is arduous, filled with sleepless nights, relentless studying, and the pressure of entrance exams. For many, this journey feels like a marathon with no end in sight, and the dream starts to seem distant.
Even if someone wants to go through the path, what happens?
No one is in the darkness now. Everyone knows the latest news.
The recent NTA (National Testing Agency) NEET exam is a testament to this harsh reality. Students across the country put their hearts and souls into preparing for this exam, hoping it will be their ticket to fulfilling their childhood dreams. But the results can sometimes leave them feeling disillusioned and defeated.
The NEET exam is not just a test of knowledge; it's a test of resilience. The pressure, the competition, and the stakes are incredibly high. Unfortunately, for many students, their dreams are shattered by a single score. It brings us to the unsettling issue of the NTA NEET Scam, which has further eroded trust and added to the despair of many aspiring doctors.
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The NEET Scam has exposed significant flaws in the system, where the integrity of the exam and the future of millions of students have been compromised. This scam has raised critical questions:
Is it fair to have a single body responsible for the future of 23,33,297 registered students? How many dreams have been lost to corruption and inefficiency?
This centralisation means that any lapse in integrity, transparency, or fairness can have devastating consequences. The recent scam has made it clear that we need to rethink how we assess and select future doctors. It's time to consider decentralising the process or implementing more rigorous checks and balances to ensure fairness and transparency.
What can we do? How do we go forward? Are we responsible, or are we not?
Always blaming is not a solution, but if we fight in unison, we can bring a revolution. We can:
As we honour doctors today, let's reflect on the journey that brought them to their place. The doctor-to-patient gap in India is alarming, with only one doctor for every 834 people. This gap underscores the need for more medical professionals and, more importantly, a fair and just system that allows passionate, talented individuals to achieve their dreams without being hindered by corruption or inefficiency.
On this Doctor's Day, let's celebrate not just the doctors who have made it but also the dreams of those still striving to become one. Let's commit to a future where no dream is crushed by an unfair system, where every child who dreams of wearing that white coat gets the chance to do so. Together, we can heal not just bodies but also hearts and minds, ensuring a brighter, more hopeful future for all.