For the many who enquired on my status and well being: I am alive and kicking, and doing both well too. The four month hiatus from blog world has given me much time and space to concentrate on many personal and professional challenges – fully occupying me and my time. I have taken over as the administrative head of my medical institute, bringing in my style of functioning which essentially is open transparency and open access: how this approach works at this level I cannot fathom to guess, but, my earlier experiences have given me the spurs to try tried out methods for trouble shooting and problem solving.

Despite the onerous work, I do find much pleasure in taking a few lectures every week: the interaction with students in the classroom dissipates much built up stress. I was on the moon when a brief paper describing our work on HIV was accepted for publication in one the best medical journals – but, the inordinate delay in seeing the print version in circulation has disappointed me. Negative thoughts and sinister motives for the delay flit through my mind when idle. Why would anyone want to defer publishing an authentic and proven work that shows beneficial effects of a simple cost effective protocol combats the onslaught of the dreaded disease, AIDS?

The only thought that repeatedly plays inside me is that the west world is reluctant to accept someone from the underdeveloped third world saying something so huge in its impact: maybe I am wrong. Sixteen weeks in the limbo, a possible medical major breakthrough that could rattle the world stays under wraps. Ironic?

Tragic.

However, not everything is blue: yesterday, I read that a recent book* released in England reviews and lists a hundred most interesting medical theories published over the last three decades, and to my amazement and surprise, the list of cited papers includes three from my desk. Three among the hundred best from the world over! I had described some of these hypotheses on sulekha too earlier. I am on cloud nine – for among the other 97 selected as ‘must read’, are researchers who are big names in the medical world.

I feel doubly proud, for I operate on a shoestring budget (my own funds) from a ramshackle laboratory with no infrastructure, in a woebegone small town, finding space and time between teaching – and to have the wider world outside my formalin infused isolated ken, recognize my ‘contribution’ to science, is reward I am smug with.

I do keep in touch with sulekha, and when time is hangs heavy on my side, even communicate with my numerous old friends. To all, thanks for extending encouragement and friendship. On a personal note, Lakshmi is due anytime this week. There have been enquiring emails, calls and notes from at least half a dozen friends and others from the sulekha family, who have couriered or parcelled baby clothes and gifts for the mother to be and the expected neonatal addition to our home population by one. 

References:

1. Death can be cured and 99 other Medical Hypotheses, by Roger Dobson – Cyan Books, 32–38 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH, UK, 2007 (ISBN 978-1-905736-31-7)

2. Medical Hypotheses, Bruce Charlton,2008:70:90-95

3. Arunachalam Kumar & Jairaj Kumar C: Nanotechnology and medicine, National Conference on nanotechnology and nanodevices, NMAMIT, 2007