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Thursday, September 8, 2016

Ten thousand views... and growing

Thank you, dear readers. Your support has allowed my blog to reach an amazing figure of 10K views. Yes, sharing my posts with social media helps. What I want is for you all to read my posts and to take away what you think is beneficial to you. Some of you are inspired by my writing skills; yet others are searching for some help before they, too, take a plunge to come to the U.K. for work; some simply want to keep a brotherly/sisterly/friendly eye on their friend/colleague; yet others are looking to see how a lone person can enjoy himself in spite of the many challenges that he faces day in and day out. Be whatever it may - I am here to inform, entertain and inspire you all. 

Through my earlier blog on my life in Saudi Arabia, I have definitely inspired many of my Paediatric colleagues to work in the Middle East. One of them is now in Saudi Arabia; another, in Bahrain. A third is making plans even as I write this. With this new blog - the one you are reading - I hope to inspire a whole new bunch of doctors. These doctors have the knowledge to work anywhere in the world. Some are hesitant because it is unlike their own culture; others are worried that their incomes will fall; still others are scared about the racist undertones of British society. I am always available to help you understand. However, the final decision must be yours. 

Earlier today evening, a Muslim Egyptian doctor who has now cleared his MRCPCH called me to tell me that he has a job offer from a hospital in Wales. His dilemma is very clear: he wants the freedom to work in an advanced country like the U.K. (currently he is in Dammam, KSA), but he is worried about the cultural differences between the Islamic culture that he and his family are used to, and the permissive, Christian culture that prevails in the U.K. While I did explain to him the shortcomings of this advanced country to give his family the shield that he so desires. He is not sure if he will find a mosque; if he will be able to access Halal food; if his wife will be able to adjust in an open society; if his children can stay away from the harmful influence of a disruptive, over-permissive society; and so on.

These are valid questions, and there are no easy answers. I tried to explain whatever I knew to the best of my ability. However, I could not answer all his questions because there are some areas I am myself unaware about. I request you, dear reader, to help me with your input wherever you can. Thank you so much.

Please leave your comments and enter your insight. I need your answer to just one question. How does my blog affect you: does it entertain? inform? educate? inspire? Are you someone who is my friend/relative/colleague in real life? Are you here to make sure I am all right? Do my words comfort you? Do they make you anxious? Worried? Thanks in advance for your input.

7 comments:

  1. Inspired. You are truly an inspiration for me Dr.T. I always wonder where do you get the time in the day for your extensive writing. Then I remind myself, a writer always finds time because writing is truly his or her first love. Besides you write really well. I still remember our days on writing.com as Team India and how we used to win every challenge. Truly you guided us well even back then. Keep writing, keep inspiring! - Tanishq

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    1. Dear Tanishq,

      The feeling is mutual. I am inspired as well by your progress in the educational domain.

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  2. Even I took a decision to come to the gulf after reading your blog about Saudi,I am in Qatar now ,and my plan is to clear FRCS .Thank you

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    1. That is so nice to know, Dr. Bala. Please do share something more about yourself.

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    2. I am an orthopedic surgeon , working in Qatar, I had come to Qatar last December.

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  3. ...ok here goes my dear bro...the questions that arise when one transplants oneself are inevitable and often there are no easy answers because the situation and circumstances vary from person to person and place to place...to my mind, the biggest one is the question of ones identity...ones sense of self has to adapt to the new environment and although this may be uncomfortable at times, nay, sometimes even painful...overall, it broadens ones outlook and horizons...finally, one also needs to be clear if one has moved out for keeps or if it is temporary, believe me, the sense of self has much adaptation to do if one decides (for whatever reasons) that the move is not temporary but may be permanent....I strongly reccomend reading "Immigration and Identity" by Dr Salman Akhtar, MD ( my senior here in Philly, and brother of Javed Akhtar) who gives much lucidity to the issue.........and oh...Congrats on hitting 10K bro...creditable and hats off to you, you are an honest, courageous writer and definitely are shining a light when you communicate...so keep it up..Eid Mubarak..and happy Onam to you.

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    1. Dear Chand,

      Thank you as ever for your useful suggestions. Can't wait to meet you in January.

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