January 8th - A flashback...

A lot of people have asked me how I manage to remember dates so accurately but to me it just happens and I neither make any special efforts for nor write any diaries.. Many of you who know that I have this habit of remembering dates might think January 8th is just another such day, but to me its a very very special date.....For all those who have more than one degree behind their name might not remember their convocation dates... Well even those with single degree, how many of u remember ur convocation dates???? Doesn't ur convocation date deserve to feature in one of ur memorable days?? Of course it deserves to be one for me....8th January 2005...

I had purchased a new set of dress ( a baby pink shirt based on my cousin Jayendran's suggestion - I still treasure this shirt) and a pair of shoes, borrowed his 'Tie' as well. It was only the first time I wore a tie after DEM school days (class 5), but it didnt look odd as my friends were also dressed similar to the occasion... Our personality loading - we call took so much time that we ended up just on time and as usual were unhappy about the colour of the robe!!!(yellow - yuks....!!!), but had no choice...

On 8th January 2005 my convocation took place in the 3rd floor auditorium at the Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. This was the same place where I wrote my written entrance est and passed!!!!!!! The same Titanic music was there again....(nostalgic!!!!!!!!!!!).. But this time no worried faces and instead many smiling faces were seen...For the first time I missed my family members... Later many days after the function did i realize that someone had come for everyone except mine.... It was a small regret then as I had decided I wouldnt give myself another opportunity for another convocation....But then I was very excited about getting my degree (I at times wonder why I was so excited)..

Its five years with today since i received my degree from Dr. Paul Wilson, a Pediatric Cardiologist from the UK. Receiving the degree from someone who was involved in pediatric work made me happier. Dr. Robert Coelho who was more of a mentor than a boss always lead by example and Dr. Rajesh sharma, my boss then and now who amazed me with his extra ordinary sixth sense were the two 'magical' people I had known then were present - thanks to the Pediatric congress held there that day....The presence of these two people who inspired me was icing on the cake and I will cherish that moment for long long time...