A LEADER IS NOT BORN,BUT MADE!
Right when I stepped into the college, the one person I looked upto to lead and teach, was the face of APJUDA for 3 years. He was a student of Gandhi medical college who's done his M.B.B.S, M.S (Surgery) and M.Ch (Neurosurgery). No prizes for guessing! It's our very own Dr. Imran Mohammed. I've tried my best to walk you through the life of this phenomenal person.
What inspired you to be a doctor?
Until 10th grade I wanted to be an IITian, but my dad, who was an RMP doctor dreamt of making me a doctor, so I chose this profession. There was no looking back after that.
About his college life...
Needless to mention, he was very clever as a student and smart enough to pull of the regular college notoriety like giving proxies and sneaking in late into the class through the backdoor. (For the record, he bagged a seat in Surgery straight after his internship and later landed himself in NeuroSurgery)
What inspired you to join APJUDA?
In second year I was taken aback by the unorganised and undedicated ways of the Government and I took part in the revolutionary 2003 strike that lasted over 43 days throughout the state.
A landmark strike indeed where the patients were relieved of user charges (charges of basic investigations). As they say,a battle can't be won in a day,he lent his support to maintain the standards and quality of government colleges.He put forward his team's smart ideas to improve the doctor-patient ratio at rural setup.
When questioned about inconvenience to patients during strikes..
He gave an instance of one of the strikes saying,for a two day strike to sanction quality CT and MRI machines by the Govt,in the long run thousands of patients got benefited.
When asked by media about being money-minded by going on strike over hike in stipends,he replied, "As a doctor service is my job. But as a tenant I can't tell my owner that I cant give rent because my profession is service"
Over the past one decade, there has been a threefold increase in stipends once in two years, all thanks to APJUDA.
How did you handle the pressure by GMC Management (Superintendent and HODs) during strikes?
When I’m in the shoes of a representative, I’m aggressive and assertive in voicing out the woes of my colleagues. But as a PG on duty, I’m soft-spoken and sincere.
Was there a moment when you questioned being a respresentative?
In the year 2007,there was a strike regarding attacks on interns on duty. ESMA(Essential Services Maintenance Act) was passed which said that leaders of strike would be arrested for a year and their degree will be revoked. There were just a handful of us ready to face the Govt next day. That night, I packed my bags ready to face arrest and I was apprehensive about how my parents would react. The next day was very intimidating,yet we stood strong and won the battle.
Memorable victory?
As a student the 2003 strike (his first strike) and as a member of advisory committee - 2012 & 2014 PG Scam.
Professors you idolize?
Dr. G.Prakash Rao, H.O.D,Neurosurgery.
Dr. Sudarshan Reddy, Retired Paediatrics H.O.D.
Dr.Masood , Surgery H.O.D
Dr. N.V.N Reddy, Associate Professor,Surgery.
Married life...
He’s happily married to Dr.Salma Nhannu, D.L.O.
On the first Valentine Day following his engagement, he spent the day in strike. But he did make it a point to spend time with her. “She is very supportive of what I do” .
Best moments of his life..
When he got married & when he became a father.
Other interests..
* He,along with his colleagues, published a book “Practical Guide For Interns” during his internship. For which, sir is very thankful to his dearest friends Spurthi, Subrahmaneshwar babu, Srujana, Sravani, Yugandhar Santhosh, Raghavendhra and all his 2k2 mates who worked as a team
* Learning to edit videos but couldn’t pursue it.
* On a lighter note, he tried his hand at cooking French fries watching youtube videos.
When questioned about his admirers..
For the humble and modest person that he is, he said he had no clue about having admirers, but on pushing it he told “ I got a rose via my junior from someone. I don’t know who it is”
Advice to us..
As a medical student you can’t get away with your books, you have to read. If we have to learn, we have to serve. Many juniors ask me “How should we study?”, I say “Ask yourself how to study for you would know what suits you best.” As for me, I start of with small topics in different subjects in a day and I extend my duration of studying from then on. And don’t get disheartened if you didn’t reach your goal. Scale your efforts and accomplishments as in, the harder you work the closer you get to your goal.
If you wanna catch up more with this charismatic person, make sure you are at the GMC Alumni Meet and GMC Fest 2014!