A feel good incident.

Dateline 21 Nov

Mid-air medical rescue on IndiGo by a minister, who was a passenger.

Who is Dr Bhagwat Karad? Till this morning I don't know. Now, after reading the newspapers, this Union Minister of State for Finance has become a hero to me. Dr Karad was on IndiGo flight 6E 171 from Delhi to Bombay. About an hour into the journey, a passenger took suddenly ill. The flight attendants urgently asked if there was a doctor on board. Dr Karad, a pediatric surgeon from Bombay's KEM Hospital, rose from his seat.

The passenger, a 45-year-old man, had no pulse and was unconscious. Quickly diagnosing that he was suffering from vasovagal syncope associated with giddiness and fainting due to blood pressure, Dr Karad called for the aircraft's emergency medical kit. From it he gave the passenger an SOS injection. He opened the man's shirt, massaged his chest and propped his feet on a pillow so that the blood could flow to his heart. Soon the passenger regained consciousness and was given a glass of glucose.

Dr Karad returned to his seat while all the other IndiGo passengers applauded. I have subsequently learned that the good doctor is a Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra. He owns a hospital in Aurangabad and has served in several medical positions. Before his election to the Upper House, Dr Karad was the Mayor of Aurangabad. I don't know why he strayed into politics but I am glad he did not forget medicine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is savvy with social media and handy with words, tweeted, "A doctor at heart, always!"

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4, recited my prayers and turned back to sleep again. Got up at a half past 6, the chores and was ready by 9 as today's a holiday and Sunday. Aji reached home well in time and we set off for the Foundation by a half past 10. 

The follow up calls to all the guests who'd be attending this evening's function - felicitating 93-year-old O Rajagopal ji - were placed throughout the day.

Set off for the Semmangudi Hall for the function by a quarter past 4, made a brief visit to Omana chechi. The function started off on the dot, Maman's welcome speech was rambling and it took about half an hour. V Muraleedharan, the MoS for External and Parliamentary Affairs took his time too and by the time the function got over it was a quarter to 7. KK Raman Pillai chettan, TP Srinivasan, IFS and Pannian Ravindran were the others on the dais. A quick cup of tea, chatted with a few of the guests and Aji took me straight to the bus stand where I boarded the half past 7 Super Fast to Guruvayur. 

At the function, I'd proposed the vote of thanks and sung the national anthem. Everyone praised my rendition, saying that only a 'military man' could pull it off nicely. Well!