THANK YOU DR BADHRI!
Madurai based ophthalmologist Dr Badhri is a doctor with a difference. A successful ophthalmologist, he has created time and space to pursue a passion—ornithology or bird watching. Dr Badhri’s fascination for birds began in childhood. Unlike most such childhood fascinations, he has nurtured and developed it into a passion that he accords equal (if not more!) status at his profession. As Dr Badhri perceptively puts it, “The bread and butter is in ophthalmology; the aesthetics in ornithology.”
Medicine is a demanding profession. The long working hours and seriousness of dealing with human lives often tends to be all consuming, leaving practitioners with little or no time to pursue other interests or hobbies.
Leticia Quintana who spent a day with Dr Badhri talking to him about his passion and profession, and even went with him on a bird watching trip, gives us an insight into the doctor’s conservation efforts for his winged friends. And she also discovers similarities between ophthalmology and ornithology—both of which involve peering through lenses!
Personally, Dr Badhri is an inspiration. For he has enabled me to realise how important it is to have a meaningful hobby, to discover such “meditative” spaces to reconnect with our true selves amidst the busyness of life. I intend to begin 2009 with ample time and space woven into my daily schedule for my passion—creative writing! Thank you, Dr Badhri!
