This afternoon we'd an appointment with Lekha's doctor at the Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences. We'd set off by a quarter to 3, but a series of traffic snarls - caused by the badly potholed stretches of road - ensured that the distance of about 11 kms was covered in a trifle over an hour.
But the approach road of the railway overbridge at Idappalli on the NH17, or the lack of it, was pathetic to say the least. There was no sign of the surface bitumen, the potholes have become huge craters and the unfortunate motorists on their two wheelers and those, in their cars with smaller wheel dimensions had a tough time negotiating them. The condition was the same of the road receding from the bridge and a heavy downpour made matters worse.
How can things be led to slide to this sorry pass? Can't anything be done to the contractor who'd taken up the resurfacing work on the road not even a year back? It's more than evident that he, with the connivance of the corrupt officials, had done a substandard job and pocketed crores of rupees. It's my firm opinion that these guys need to be tried in a fast-track court, paraded in public to show the face of corruption and suitably punished, thereafter.
* * *
Due to the inclement weather, I'd expected to come across less number of patients compared to the throng on a normal day. But my expectations were belied in that the strength was almost equal if not more than the usual attendance. Just proves that ailments are aplenty and our dependence on medical cover is something that cannot be wished away. Blame it on our style of living, huh!
* * *
I still err in exhibiting good manners or on being nice to the others. After what seemed to be a long wait - over 21/2 hrs and that too based on an appointment fixed a month back - we'd finally reached the vicinity of the doctor's room and got to sit on chairs provided for the waiting patients. No sooner had I sat on my chair, came an elderly gentleman for whom I'd eventually offered my seat after an initial 'lethargy'. Reminiscing over it later, why didn't I do so readily? Probably, the 'Mr. Hyde' of my personality was momentarily overbearing at that point of time!
That the elderly gentleman had politely refused the offer because he was badly arthritic and had difficulty in getting up after sitting down did not play down the guilt in me. I suppose I deserved it for being boorish, albeit for a short while!!
Tailpiece.
Meeting the doctor and the short interaction was educative and interesting as usual with the doctor being thoroughly happy with the way Lekha's medical condition has progressed thus far. We've promised to meet up for the next review after a couple of months.
But the approach road of the railway overbridge at Idappalli on the NH17, or the lack of it, was pathetic to say the least. There was no sign of the surface bitumen, the potholes have become huge craters and the unfortunate motorists on their two wheelers and those, in their cars with smaller wheel dimensions had a tough time negotiating them. The condition was the same of the road receding from the bridge and a heavy downpour made matters worse.
How can things be led to slide to this sorry pass? Can't anything be done to the contractor who'd taken up the resurfacing work on the road not even a year back? It's more than evident that he, with the connivance of the corrupt officials, had done a substandard job and pocketed crores of rupees. It's my firm opinion that these guys need to be tried in a fast-track court, paraded in public to show the face of corruption and suitably punished, thereafter.
* * *
Due to the inclement weather, I'd expected to come across less number of patients compared to the throng on a normal day. But my expectations were belied in that the strength was almost equal if not more than the usual attendance. Just proves that ailments are aplenty and our dependence on medical cover is something that cannot be wished away. Blame it on our style of living, huh!
* * *
I still err in exhibiting good manners or on being nice to the others. After what seemed to be a long wait - over 21/2 hrs and that too based on an appointment fixed a month back - we'd finally reached the vicinity of the doctor's room and got to sit on chairs provided for the waiting patients. No sooner had I sat on my chair, came an elderly gentleman for whom I'd eventually offered my seat after an initial 'lethargy'. Reminiscing over it later, why didn't I do so readily? Probably, the 'Mr. Hyde' of my personality was momentarily overbearing at that point of time!
That the elderly gentleman had politely refused the offer because he was badly arthritic and had difficulty in getting up after sitting down did not play down the guilt in me. I suppose I deserved it for being boorish, albeit for a short while!!
Tailpiece.
Meeting the doctor and the short interaction was educative and interesting as usual with the doctor being thoroughly happy with the way Lekha's medical condition has progressed thus far. We've promised to meet up for the next review after a couple of months.
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