I Promise

By Suman D. Chaudhry

She dreamt big about their future, wished to see them reaching unattainable heights and guided them the best possible way every step. What happened to her aspirations and ambitions?
A true heartrending and poignant tale of the 1960s.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Dec 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781528986885

Suman D. Chaudhry

The author is an accomplished Consultant with four decades of involvement in Anaesthetics (Anaesthesiology) and Critical Care; the latter two decades in NHS, UK. Currently, she is devoted to Health Research Authority, England. With her correlation to fast pace advanced specialisation and global exposure, she recites her first-hand experience of the exponential development, radical transition and metamorphosis during this phase necessitating immense insight, adaptability clubbed with skilful proficiency to keep abreast and grant best treatment strategies to those in need. An enlightening confession of everyday defiance, defeats, convictions unexplored and oblivious to the majority; an exciting glance into the everyday life of ‘front line’ healthcare warriors.

Book preview

experience.

Preface

Ever since advent of human life infinite definitions have been given to ‘Life’, each being determined by individual observations, experiences, teachings, education, educators, rituals, beliefs, backgrounds and familial environment. I would say none of the above factors individually could encompass its definition since they all tend to interact in synergism and opposition, both in different situations at different times. This has been my life like colours of rainbow and seasons of the year. The theme around which it has revolved has been a ‘Promise’ which became the core essence of my existence, my obsession and a life time ‘Gita’, Bible and Quran which I followed at every step; every event big or small and has motivated me to format my short term and lifelong objectives which would culminate into positive outcomes against all odds. This ‘Promise’ was a guide that led me through highs and lows and served as a ray of hope in times of solitude, depression, despair and total darkness. Over the past six decades, I have learnt that each day of my life was a lesson, written in conventional text books of the universe. With each passing day, I got more clarity. The purity of my soul, honesty, forthrightness allowed me to face the truth and fight it as the time went by. By of the time I turned 15, I could read the minds of people and the two facets of their personalities. I could take seemingly daring decisions solely on my own premonition. Above all, I had a unique psychological freedom by expecting from people whom you ‘ought’ to trust the most in society. There was a sense of enlightenment within me illuminating my journey, guarding and navigating me to become a ferociously independent person, outside the norms and traditions of our conventional society. I formed my own path, my own principles and curriculum which was dictated by some supernatural support leading the way and never leaving me alone, never letting me go. This book is dedicated to that promise, hence the heading ‘I Promise’. That promise made me the person I am today, strong, determined, honest and successful enough to walk with my head high up in society globally. Nevertheless, the period between taking the pledge and fulfilling what was determined practically defines my dynamic, roller-coaster and eventful life span of five decades where each day could be deemed as melodramatic and unprecedented as I faced a sequence of events that included several arduous tasks, loneliness, uncertainty and despair where any one could have succumbed. But the miracles of God and resilience of human beings combined together causes marvels in life making the most unthinkable things possible. Hence, this journey has made me abolish the word ‘impossible’ from my vocabulary and have given me the courage and strength to take up every challenge in life, both on personal and professional front. This is a true story of a girl passing through various phases of her life surpassing hurdles, deprivation (social, emotional, financial and physical) in spite of immense psychological trauma and discrimination to accomplish her journey as a fine and successful lady, any one and every one could look up to in times of darkness, hopelessness and failures. The magical supernatural power of ‘The Promise’ made her go unabated. This story demonstrates the true power of self-belief, conviction and perseverance.

(The names and characters have been changed to respect their privacy and honour.)

Written as an accolade to the mother of the biographer.

Thou shall live forever

Chapter 1

The Earliest Childhood

It must have been a summer or spring evening when I was adorned like a doll with a smart pastel pink frock white comfortable shoes, white socks coming almost till my knees and neat hair do with matching light pink