Kemtur – Village in Udupi

Kemtur, an idyllic village on the outskirts of Udupi (my home town). I have been visiting this small hamlet since last 3 years, because our ancestral Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is situated in this village, on the eastern banks of the river (and they say the village is named so because of us KAMATHS - “ಕಾಮತರ ಊರು – ಕೆಮ್ತೂರು”.


The village doesn't have a proper bus facility, and has a small mud road for transport – but now new and a better road is being built, may take another year for that to complete. And over the years i have observed the slow transformation of this village with a hanging bridge (13°17'55"N, 74°45'39"E )connecting the village to the neighbouring Manipura – village close to Katapadi. Last year a vented dam (13°17'41"N, 74°45'43"E) was constructed to facilitate the transport and also to block the salt water entering the fields of cultivation.




The nature beckons you, and as you walk along the mud road that is passing through or along the ridges of the field you hear the occasional chirping of birds, howling of the dogs or the call of the cattle.


Once in a while the lull of the village is broken by the rattling of the wheels of train that travel along the Konkan Railways, to break the monotony. But still you find peace in this serene atmosphere with all the green fields around, and some one working on his fields alone – without the hurriedness of the city goer.


The main deity of the village is 'Vishnumoorthy' – Lord Vishnu, a renovated temple, constructed with granite. It has also got a new flag post standing tall amidst the silence, as if guarding it.

Our (means Kamaths' family) temple (13°17'52"N, 74°45'43"E ) is small, surrounded by fields on all side except on the west where the river flows along. The main deity is Laksmi Narasimha, along with our Kuladevatas Shantadurga and Vijayadurga. This temple is slowly gaining significance because of Kemtur Kamaths who are in far off places are trying to get to their roots and finally they find this place (like my family).

And usually I don't miss any opportunity to visit the temple, so that i can be with nature, relax though for a short while away from all the hullabaloo of the city.

CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER AT Dr ROSHAN PINTO'S HOME, KINNIGOLI

Dear Friends, it was nice to have a day away from all the hazzles of work, and it was provided by Dr Roshan, my friend. He invited us – that is Dr Girish Navada, Dr Guruprasad, Dr Ramakrishna, Dr Ranjan and me, to come along with our families. Dr Ranjan missed this outing as it was the day of Christmas, and he had to be at home.

I reached the place Kinnigoli, and was picked-up by Dr Roshan from bus-stand, and I along with my wife and daughter were the first to reach his place. I couldn't take my son as he had come down with acute pharyngitis and fever and he was allowed to rest at home with his Granny.

As we reached the place – long distance away from all the noice of the city and human settlements, it was cool and green all around. You could feel the abundance of oxygen around. A little later remaining members of the group joined us. In addition we were also joined by Dr Sudha, Dr Venmani, Dr John Pradeep - our Interns posted at Concetta Hospital at Kinnigoli.

By that time cookong was already in full swing, with Roshan's mother and Gigi – Roshan's wife preparing the dishes for the afternoon lunch. The offer of help was rejected nicely saying not enough space in the kitchen. But the smells emanating from the dishes were great – so with a vision of great food I moved out of the kitchen.

After the tea and snacks all of us decided to go for swimming. All the children were enthusiastic about this venture and were more eager to go. When we reached the destination – it was COOL water that was waiting for us. It is a running stream water that is collected by blocking the flow. All of us were in water for almost 2 hours enjoying, some of us were learning to swim - and that was very relaxing.Then all of us joined back in the house for a sumptous food – of salad from pomegranate, dates and vegetables, dal fry, idlis, rice, gobi chilli and curds, in addition to Kori rotti, chicken curry and pork chilly for all the non vegetarians. The food was really good, and I should thank both Gigi and Roshan's mother for their efforts in preparing all this. Along with food some of us had the opportunity to taste the wine and after food a good amount of Sprite.After a little rest, the kids went for fishing!! - and we went to see the water falls!! which was not falling when we reached there – it was just flowing. May be it will be falling during the rainy season. That place was the best, with lots of rocks in and water fowing around them. We could imagine the splendor of it during the rains. We let our legs rest in water for a while before returning home.It was 5o'clock by then and we had to return. So with a promise to return during the month of October, when there will be more water in the stream, we bid farewell to Dr Roshan's family.I am enclosing the link to the album at Webshots for all of u to see - http://family.webshots.com/album/576090770dhbxDM

Our Teacher – Dr S. K. Tiwari

Dr S. K. Tiwari

To write anything about Dr S.K.Tiwari, will be always a little too less about him. People who know him, have seen him from close quarters can understand these sentiments.

Our relationship goes way back to 1987, almost 22 years. May be that should make me eligible to write and say – My Teacher. 1987 was the year I joined First year BHMS. That time Dr Tiwari was just 2 years into the teaching profession. We had teachers like Dr Varambally for anatomy, who used to make the subject of anatomy – just simple. We loved him. But Dr Tiwari was altogether of a different class. During those years he used to teach us Materia Medica. His style of teaching, delivery of lectures, usage of examples and cases to impress upon a particular point – all have been still an indelible print in our memory. His classes on Arsenic alb, Pulsatilla, Sepia – to name a few, I can still remember.

During those days he used to commute by Royal Enfield – Bullet. Though on later days he upgraded that to Maruthi, I still remember him better on a bullet. Initial days, though he had the difficulties in managing the bullet, but as the days passed he improved his physique to fit with Royal Enfield.

As the years passed he became the teacher of Repertory, and he also was appointed Vice Principal of the college. When I was in Final Year – the First Edition of Essentials of Repertorisation was published. This book has become the favourite of students of Homoeopathy, and this book has been revised and enlarged 4 times. During this period he became an accomplished teacher of Repertory.

In December 1995 he was appointed as Principal of FMHMC. All thought he was too young to shoulder the responsibilities of Principal, but he did the job with aplomb. His style of functioning was democratic – take everyone into confidence, make it a team work and all will do the work together. During his tenure as Principal the college achieved greater heights and cornered more glory.

These years also witnessed his evolution as an able administrator, competent academician and a popular homoeopathic consultant. But still in his heart he remained a teacher. Though the classes became a rarity with all the new responsibilities, still they were treasured by all the students.

Last few years I had many occasions to work with him at close quarters and had the opportunity to observe what is Dr Tiwari!! I can say he is a simple man, who loves his work. May be that is the reason he has attained such fame in his chosen field.

Now he is no more our Principal. We all honoured him for his dedicated services on 7^th of this month. But still we can claim he is our Teacher.

We remain grateful to him for all the knowledge he imparted, the guidance he has given in those formative years and support he offered when we worked together.

My Friend Dr Roshan Pinto

He is an individual u will like at first sight. Once u know him u will love him, just because he is Roshan Pinto.

He is the coolest of all of us, and has a very much laid back attitude. It doesnt mean he has no feelings, he feels it deeply. Only the close circle will know he is disturbed.

He is now the National President of IHMA (He was the Secretary General before). May be the past presidents were worried about the functionaing of the organisation, but our friend is not. U wont find him fretting about the work that has to be done or not done. May be his philosophy in life is “Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.”

He is one of the first amongst us to join for PG in Calicut. And after completion he joined us a staff in the Department of Organon. Students love his calsses, because his approach is down to earth. More over he enjoys what he does – taking classes, going places, conducting exams – u name it.

The only problem he faces constantly is Time. It is always too short for him, as he has more to do in less amount of time. Beacuse of that he reaches usually late – though his intensions were to reach on time!! All know it. Even at some functions his speach was kept last – so that he could make it!!

The another problem he enjoys is forgetfulness. May be all the teachers when they become professors can afford to be forgetful!! It is not always so, but only on occasions when it is needed the most he has his memory drive full. In such events, we take enough precautions in preventing complications.

He has been the President of Lions Club!! at his home town – Kinnigoli. With all his problems with time and memory he successfully completed his tenure.

The Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu

This is one of the books i came across because of my friend Sri U. R. Jayavanth. He is a man of varied interests. On him some other times.

This book i find lots of knowledge in its simplest form. There are 81 verses – teaching us how to achieve eternal bliss, knowledge or you name it.

It teaches us the importance of freedom from desires, and it also stresses on 'Darkness within darkness - The gateway to all understanding. '

Another important aspect of this was the line that says - 'When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you. ' This line has lots of application and meaning in todays world. May be this is the root of problem to the whole of mankind!!

It also says - Fill your bowl to the brim

and it will spill.

Keep sharpening your knife

and it will blunt.

Chase after money and security

and your heart will never unclench.

Care about people’s approval

and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.

The only path to serenity.

The most poignant one says - We join spokes together in a wheel,

but it is the center hole

that makes the wagon move.

We shape clay into a pot,

but it is the emptiness inside

that holds whatever we want.

We hammer wood for a house,

but it is the inner space

that makes it livable.

We work with being,

but non-being is what we use.

It talks about Tao - Approach it and there is no beginning;

follow it and there is no end.

You can’t know it, but you can be it,

at ease in your own life.

Just realize where you come from:

this is the essence of wisdom.

The potent one says - When the great Tao is forgotten,

goodness and piety appear.

When the body’s intelligence declines,

cleverness and knowledge step forth.

When there is no peace in the family,

filial piety begins.

When the country falls into chaos,

patriotism is born.

One more says - Throw away holiness and wisdom,

and people will be a hundred times happier.

Throw away morality and justice,

and people will do the right thing.

Throw away industry and profit,

and there won’t be any thieves.

Another says - Fame or integrity: which is more important?

Money or happiness: which is more valuable?

Success of failure: which is more destructive?

If you look to others for fulfillment,

you will never truly be fulfilled.

If your happiness depends on money,

you will never be happy with yourself.

Be content with what you have;

rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking,

the whole world belongs to you.

Regarding Govarnance, Leaders it says - All streams flow to the sea

because it is lower than they are.

Humility gives it its power.

If you want to govern the people,

you must place yourself below them.

If you want to lead the people,

you must learn how to follow them.

May be for us this will be apt - Governing a large country

is like frying a small fish.

You spoil it with too much poking.

Center your country in the Tao

and evil will have no power.

Not that it isn’t there,

but you’ll be able to step out of its way.

Give evil nothing to oppose

and it will disappear by itself.

Regarding the growth it says - Men are born soft and supple;

dead, they are stiff and hard.

Plats are born tender and pliant;

dead, they are brittle and dry.

Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible

is a disciple of death.

Whoever is soft and yielding

is a disciple of life.

The hard and stiff will be broken.

The soft and supple will prevail.

Try to get this book and read (or download it from http://www.truly-free.org/) – and u need to reflect a lot on every verse, and everytime you will find newer meanings, a better understanding of the sayings and may be a better understanding of the self!!

Our College - Change of Gaurds

After few years when we look back, the past 3 months may become very significant. The events that have rolled in have created major perceptive changes and may become the epochs in the history of Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College.

The college stepping into its 25^th year is one such event, and we had a grand inauguration of the year long celebrations by Dr Veerabrahmachary, President of Karnataka Board of Homoeopathy. This has initiated lots of academic and clinical activities. To mark the occasion many new peripheral rural health centres have been started.

Another defining moment is the change of guards at the administrative level. On 5^th of September Dr Srinath Rao, Professor of Materia Medica and Vice principal, was appointed as Principal and to shoulder the responsibility Dr Shivaprasad, Professor and HOD of Organon, has been appointed as Vice Principal. These changes became essential as Dr S K Tiwari left the institution for better prospects. While we thank Dr S K Tiwari for his dedicated service to the institution and valuable guidance to the students of homoeopathy for all these years, we welcome Dr Srinath Rao and Dr Shivaprasad in their new position and wish them the best. May the College reach greater heights under their leadership.