How we survived as a nation

By Dr. Mundalaguthu Jayaram Rai

The author, Dr. Mundalaguthu Jayaram Rai is a medical doctor, graduated from Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore. He hails from Puttur of Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka state, India. Reading and writing has been his childhood passion and now a hobby. He did his MRCP (UK) in internal medicine and then 3 years training in Cardiology – all in the United Kingdom. He taught Medicine and Cardiology at various medical colleges for 15 years. He also worked in Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health Hospitals as a Consultant Cardiologist. He is a recipient of FRCP (London). He is actively engaged in medical practice at the Mayo Heart Clinic and diagnostic Centre, Rajajinagar, Bangalore. He has published two books in Kannada language and two in English, besides several medical articles for patients and general public. You will know his linguistic dexterity in both the languages only when you read his books. These books are the product of his vast knowledge and narrative skills. We have no doubt that these books will make compelling and enchanting reading.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pustaka Digital Media
• Release date: Mar 16, 2016
• ISBN: 6580207801089

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HOW WE SURVIVED

AS A NATION

Author :

Dr. Mundalaguthu Jayaram Rai

M.B.B.S. (B.M.C.); M.R.C.P. (U.K.) ; F.R.C.P. (Lond.)

Senior Consultant Cardiologist

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To the memory of a Noble Soul, who was a progressive farmer, thinker, Karma yogi and above all - one who strongly believed in        education as a tool for empowerment.

i.e.,

ARIADKA (SANTHYA) GANESHA RAI

(He opened the door for my further education, when all doors were seemingly closed)

AND

To a dear departed Soul who took care of me as her own son

i.e.,

SMT. LALITHA GANESHA RAI.

Foreword

Imagine a situation where in the best of a Doctor has to perform a highly complicated surgery on his own mother or wife, …. What would be his mental dilemma, emotion, uncertainty and the lurking fear on his own competence? Finally if his skill, precision and courage prevails it is      indeed a triumph of Medical Science.

The Greek writers between 500 B.C and 400 B.C wrote some of the best Plays, considered to be a miracle of human achievement and acclaimed as triumph of      Literature. A writer who depicts evils plaguing the society like Graft, Greed for Power and Dynastic entitlement, he is attempting to reform Society.

In this book titled, 'HOW WE  SURVIVED  AS  A        NATION', Dr. M. Jayaram Rai has touched upon certain important issues impacting the day-to-day life of our people.

Mundala, Kedambady, Ishwaramangala, Sullia, Putturu, Bengaluru are not mere dots on the map of Karnataka. These places have shaped the life of Dr. Jayaram Rai in his formative years and finally enabled him to cross the seven seas in the pursuit of excellence. It is here he has learned that one does not reach the top      without effort and determination.

In this thought provoking book, he resurrects Bapuji in the computer age. He portrays the lifestyle of Pandit Nahru in Heaven, which is identical to that he lived when alive.

The 'Diviner' is a classic example of how skillfully people decieve.  The 'Dog Walkers' are politely rebuked for lack of civic sense. The faithfull husband realizes the bliss of true love after an encounter with the salacious histrionics only  to be fleeced!

Nicollo Mechiavelli, the sixteenth century Italian    Diplomat introduced Cunningness, Duplicity and Deceit in state craft. Nowadays people practice these 'virtues' in day-to-day life.

The doctor stresses the importance of sowing the seeds of good Health and Education at childhood itself. He deprecates vehemently the over burdening of young children with curricula and the curse of 'Extra Mass Tutorials' imposed on them.

Dr. Rai speaks highly of the skills of Abbayya Naidu and the yeoman service rendered by Dr. M.S. Shetty who was endowed with both Wit and Wisdom. 

Fearing large scale death and destruction, Arjuna    refuses to wage war. Bhagawan Sri Krishna advises Arjuna not to abdicate his Kshatriya Dharma and to perform Nishkama Karma. Bhagavadgita opens the inner eye of Arjuna. It's a lesson to our present day leaders to understand the true meaning of Renunciation. 

Dr. Rai provides a glimpse as to How we survived as a Nation. The situation today with the policy missteps and trust deficit in the country is frightening. There is a widespread belief that the prevailing Institutions are self serving and heed less for people's welfare. It should be the earnest endeavor of every Indian that the country emerges as a Strong and Prosperous Nation and a Welfare State.

In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' Marcellus remarks, Something is rotten in the State of Denmark, as he and Horatio debate whether or not to follow Prince Hamlet and his ghost father into the Dark Night. This expression has    become a standard phrase to refer to corruption and lack of morals in high echelons of power.

In this long intellectual journey, sometimes serious, sometimes light hearted, sometimes realistic, sometimes laced with satire but always concerned about the well  being of the society.  The writer and the social reformer in Dr. Rai exemplifies that he not only can use the Stethoscope to read through our hearts but also wield the Pen to appeal to our minds and intellect with consummate ease and skill. He has maintained healthy equalibrium between his      professional commitment and literary pursuit. The unfolding of events, lucid and free flowing style will linger for a long time in our memory.

I wish him good luck in his future endeavors.

Bangalore

Dated:05/12/2011

GIRISH  RAI

Preface

In 1991 when I built my house at the CMV extension, I was advised to seek the opinion of a water diviner. The result was a poorly yielding borewell dug in an inconvenient place, but it lead to the creation of my first essay, 'The Diviner'.

In 1996, I moved into the premises and the morning after I was confronted with the problem of 'that bulky stool' in front of my main gate. The result was the birth of an essay called 'The Dog Walkers'.

'Extra Marital' is an article based on newspaper and TV reports of the real incidents. I thought I should put it up as a storey to create public awareness.

'The Martyrs' and the 'Heavenly Abode' were written in a lighter vein in order to give a glimpse into their personalities.

'Vedanta Simplified' is based on my personal          experience and should be an eye opener to all those who manage our so called temples of Gods.

'Health and Education' is an essay written about    children, for parents. I feel parents will immensely benefit by reading this article.

I am a witness to the two Ashwamedhas undergone by our two daughters. I always resented it, but then the system was such that everyone had to fall in line. As a medical doctor, time and again I have confronted with the side effects of 'Extra Mass Tutorials.'

I thought the life and times of Dr. M.S.Shetty will add to the wit and wisdom of our members of the medical    fraternity. 'The tribute to Abbayya Naidu,'  illustrates how small people can rise to great heights given an opportunity and a platform.

Each time I read Bhagavadgita, it gives me new meaning and interpretation. On one such occation I thought about the reasons for Arjuna's refusal to fight after landing in the middle of the battlefield. This resulted in the essay 'The Interphase of Renunciation'.

'How we survived as a Nation' is a serious  discourse as aptly put by Prof. K.E. Radhakrishna in his blurb. I wish every reader of this essay will take the      message seriously.

These twelve essays were written at different times and were published in different magazines at different times. However, I have now made an attempt to compile them into a book and hope the readers will enjoy reading them. These are independent essays and have no linkage to one another but each has a carry home message.

Readers' opinion and healthy criticism are welcome.

Bangalore

Dated:06/12/2011

Dr. M. J. Rai

    Author

About the Author...

The author, DR. MUNDALAGUTHU JAYARAM RAI was born in Mundalaguttu family of South Kanara District of Karnataka State, India.

After his Primary and Secondary education at Kedambady and Ishwaramangala respectively, he