Birthday Celebration
Today was Dr. Gawande’s birthday. He has given a great deal of his time and money to this college and in recognition of that there were many things going on today. Besides the speeches and dignitaries there were blood donations, free dental screenings and free ear operations. Today was also the start of three days of Kabuddi matches.Kabuddi is a uniquely Indian sport, kind of like a cross between rugby and tag. Seven players on each team try to cross a line and tag someone from the other team and then make it back across the center line. If they don’t make it back they are out, if they do then those who they have touched are out. It looks like a lot of fun, even though I know I would get crushed.After a few Kabuddi matches and a 3-hour presentation (in Marathi) we got to visit a Maharashtra State hospital. At this hospital all treatments are free, but bribes help expedite the process, or so I have been told. The US and German-trained Indian doctor was performing free ear canal operations that day.During the operation Dr. Gawande called and the operating doctor kept right on with the surgery. I think that most cell phone plans in India don’t come with voicemail, which might be why no one ever turns off their phones. Even the speakers during the program today interrupted themselves by checking who was calling them on their cell phones.
