DR. HEMANT RAJE GAIKWAD

Dr. Hemant Raje Gaikwad

Multi faceted Dr. Hemant Raje Gaikwad (71) has achieved almost all that he has ever dreamed of – his own nursing home, paramedical institute, rural hospital, a BSA Golden Flash bike, writing books and owning two Dobermans. He has also worked as a home guard commandant as he wanted to serve the nation. 

An ardent Shivaji Maharaj devotee, his only dream now is to give the Maratha warrior his true exalted status in the word history. In a free-wheeling chat with A. Radhakrishan, the septuagenarian tells how he proposes to fulfill this dream. 

How was your childhood like?

I studied at St. Xavier’s High school, Fort, Mumbai and was an average student. Coming from a humble background and surrounded by well-bred, affluent children, I saw myself somewhat as a misfit there. Consequently some kind of inferiority complex became a part of my being. But later on at Bhavan’s College, where I did my B.Sc in Chemistry, I underwent a major transformation. I then did my MBBS DOMS -Diploma in Ophthalmic Medicine & Surgery from Grant Medical College, Mumbai.

Why did you choose medicine as a career?

I think medicine and teaching are the noblest professions. My family doctor Dr. Benkar, noble laureate Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Dr. David Livingstone and Dr. Kotnis have been my inspirations since my pre medical days. 

Tell me about your paramedical institute?

There is a good demand for paramedical staff. For every doctor, we need almost 10 paramedics assisting him in one form or other, for the smooth functioning of a hospital.

My paramedical institute in Dadar is the Dr. Gaikwad Institute, promoted by the government. The institute offers Earn & Learn scheme for all paramedical courses, through a fulltime internship programme which ensures maximum hands-on experience. The student is assured of his/her full fees back within two years. It also offers a 100% job guarantee in private hospitals/ clinics/ labs, and in the past twenty five years we have provided more than 5,000 to 7,000 jobs. We are now offering franchises.

Students who don’t have access to newspapers at home are trained at the institute to read and write in English.

How do you manage the smooth and simultaneous running of the institute?

The principle is of trust and love for your staff. During the pandemic when many establishments sacked staff, we were the only one who took on more. 

Our students are mostly from the Art or Commerce stream and not Science.  They join after doing their 12th Grade. 

During the pandemic, the Government realising the tremendous lack of good paramedical staff,  created  BVoc ., i.e. Bachelor of Vocation in Medical Lab Technology (BVoc.MLT), BVoc in Patient Care Management (BVoc.PCM), BVoc in X-ray Technology, etc. 

From a diploma institute, we are now a paramedical college affiliated to the Shri Venkateshwara University and offer a proper three year graduation certificate.

What is the secret behind the efficiency of the rural hospital in Chirner and the trust of the villagers? 

The Chirner experiment at a sleepy hamlet, 65 km from Mumbai, started in 1980 before I became an intern. With other GMCites (doctors from Grant Medical College) like Dr. V C Talwalkar and Dr. Rajan Powle, on the invitation of a patient, we initially began as Sunday doctors, working on infectious diseases and family planning. 

We had a system in place and kept an ST bus stationed in the village to help any woman in labour. Once they realised we cared for them and their children, they trusted us and also decided to follow the two kids policy.

Between 2000-2005, with JNPT reaching the area, there was rise in employment opportunities and money too flowed in with sale of lands. A lot of private doctors are now willing to set up hospitals. With MMRDA also reaching here, there is no need for charity. People can now afford to pay for their basic healthcare. 

What is the source of your funding for your work here?

Around 1990, Wilde Gantzen, a TV programme on Dutch TV, showed people trying to do community work. The Chirner project telecast yielded about 65,000 guilders (about Rs. 32 lakhs) in donations and was the corpus that created the new hospital. At present we have 16 consultants, a ward that can house twenty patients and a operation theatre can compete with that of any Mumbai nursing home.

The Dutch money left me with mixed feelings. Sad, because it is white man’s charity, but happy that they took notice of us and realised our potential and had faith in our ability and commitment, when not many in India were willing to help.  Frankly, we didn’t ask for State funds as it is a tedious process.

Now that we have two buildings, donations are pouring in. But to some extent in our present socioeconomic set up, a social worker is equated with a politician; and charity equated with corruption.

Is the rural hospital being converted into an institute? 

We are considering either converting it into an educational institute or a preventable medical institute where anaemia in girls and dental problems in school children will be treated. Also we hope to provide spectacles at subsidised rates not very easily available in villages.

Who are your role models? And why?

In GMC, it was Dr. Phatnani who taught me how to speak; Dr. P. P. Rao who taught me public relations; Dr. Ambedkar who taught me rural health; Dr. T. Udwadia who taught me bedside manners and Dr. Sapatnekar who taught me planning. I also had role models for my history studies.

Why is Shivaji Maharaj so dear to you? 

He was unique. His great escape, his forming a defence line of hill forts, his formidable navy, winning battles leading from the front, planning effective battle plans, preventing sati, conversions, starting a Rajya Bhasha Kosh (Lexicon), eliminating casteism, ensuring justice to all, getting himself coronated after a gap of 500 years, having a pan India Hindu rule and resurrecting the Marathi language are commendable.

But what was really remarkable is that he had no weakness, respected women and all religions, never ordered to slaughter a General, never enslaved prisoners, was a teetotaler, did not build monuments for himself, treated his subjects equally, never built a tower of skulls, respected his parents, brother, and comrades and ruled as a caretaker of the Almighty, but did not play God.

How important were forts of that time? What did they symbolise?

Born inside a fort, it made Shivaji Maharaj what he was. He made forts the terror of the Mughals, the cradle of his nation, the steps of his ambition, the basis of his conquest, his home and his joy. His dwelling was among the rocks and his strength lay in the everlasting hills.

He built this kingdom on the strength of his forts. If there were no forts, during a foreign invasion, the open country would have been easily desolated, and people massacred by the enemies. 

What is the project on forts you are working on?

I wish to establish a Shri Shivaji Gyanpeeth on Shivaji Maharaj as a community social responsibility. I have already bought a camper which will carry a mobile exhibition through photographs and models of forts and there will be discussions in schools on the various battles that took place during his reign. I am doing this because a school student at Latur might never get to see Raigad till he perhaps gets a job. I want to at least introduce him to ten major forts.  My only one dream now is to give Shivaji Maharaj his due exalted status in world history.

What books and manuals have you written?

I have written 25 manuals for the paramedical staff. I have also published a book titled Shivaji Maharaj the Greatest, which has been translated into four languages and made into a film, available in six languages.

In 1999, to celebrate the silver jubilee of GMC, I had written a breezy book on my college days named, Chakaraka Makaraka, which is now in its fourth print.

Why did you join the home guards?

In 1986, with a strong desire to serve the nation and fulfill my love for the uniform, I joined the Home Guards as Medical Officer and rose to be the Commandant of Greater Mumbai.

I was commended by the then Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar, Shri Ram Kapse for my efforts during the Tsunami. I also specifically enrolled fisherman as Home Guards to guard the coast line of Mumbai, after the 26/11/2008 terrorist attack.

I began the Railway Suraksha Pathak to prevent harassment/ molestation of lady commuters. Today the duties also encompass the checking of commuters for concealed bombs. I have handled situations like the bomb blasts and the Mumbai floods.

Any other achievements you would like to mention?

I was also instrumental in organising the first three Mumbai marathons.

As the police refused security, I was approached as Commandant, Home Guards. We gave logistics and security till such time when private event management companies took over. I also conducted the largest medical camp in history at Dharavi, attended by 65,000 people. 

Has your work been recognized?

I have been awarded The Economic Times of India – Icon of Excellence Award and Pioneer in Paramedical Education.

I am the recipient of two service medals, The Swatantrata Suvarna Jayanti Padak in1997 and the Maharashtra Rajya Home Guard Hirak Jayanti Padak in 2006. I have also been commended by WHO (World Health Organisation) for Pulse Polio.

Dr. Gaikwad can be reached at drgaikwadinstitute@gmail.com