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A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 540 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 9 trips to carry that many people.

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The hotel is quite huge with three separate restaurants. One of them is on the lobby named Alfresco, which is a multi-cuisine restaurant accompanied with a café. We walked in there for our dinner. Well it is a very beautiful restaurant. As the name literally suggests ‘outdoor’, all the arrangement is to suit like sitting in the outdoor porche or tent with circular glass cane table and cane chairs complimented with sweet chirpings of birds making you feel sitting at a garden in the open. The ambience made us feel good. My mom was tired of the journey started feeling refreshed there.

We had a hard time discussing the menu since there were a lot new dishes on the menu card. Finally we settled for ‘mushroom cappuccino’ soup for my dad and me and my mom had ordered for hot n sour soup as she doesn’t like mushrooms. As the name mushroom cappuccino soup it was served in a coffee cup, yah truly in a coffee cup with cookie shaped baked breads! The soup was made up of like a paste of mushroom and served exactly like cappuccino. The froth and color was very much similar to the coffee we generally have at the café. The presentation was awesome. Along with that they served some breads and green salad. Also we ordered for chicken Caesar salad which was equally delicious. But for us the star meal of the diner was the ‘posto murgi’ which we ordered in the main course. The concept of posto (poppy seeds) murgi (chicken} was awesome. We had before posto with vegetables but posto with some non veg item was really novel. The taste was even more delicious than I had expected. The innovation was really appreciable. Along with that we had preserved breast chicken which was chef’s special. It was a chicken steak along with steamed omelets.

Lastly we had fresh lime soda (sweetened) before leaving the restaurant. The food was so great that I would say that this place should be visited once again and enjoy the foods here. I’m loving it!!!

I am in Gangtok now at my institute. I couldn’t wish the sweetest mom in the world in person although I wished her ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ over phone and paid my sincerest regards and thanks for her love and care. It’s because of her love and care I have become what I am today. Borrowing from George Eliot: life began with waking up and loving my mother’s face.

I managed to send her a bouquet of roses to my mom today. They delivered the bouquet and my card in evening. Mom was surprised and happy to get the flowers. She loves flowers and so I sent her flowers.

I always remember what Rudyard Kipling said: “God couldn’t be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.”

The demands for reducing the age of juvenility from 18 to 16 and to remove minors involved in heinous crimes from the ambit of juvenile justice act purely on the basis of the Delhi gang-rape case is a “knee-jerk reaction”.  It would be “counter-productive” and “not a deterrent”. Such amendments under public pressure based on one incident will have long-term dangerous consequences on the plight of lakhs of other juveniles.

One incident cannot be a reason to disturb the well thought-out purpose of the law – it will not only disturb the momentum of efforts to improve protection of children but also open a Pandora’s box wherein similar demands will be made for several other offences committed by a juveniles considered serious in nature.

I think lowering the age of juvenile in Juvenile Justice Act is not a solution. This is neither going to bring more justice to Delhi gang-rape case nor is it going to solve the issue of crime against women. The problem is that the Juvenile Justice Act as it exists is not implemented properly.

I would rather suggest suggests that juveniles involved in heinous crimes should be made to stay in juvenile homes or observation homes for longer period of time and could be subjected to more restrictions so that the whole process will be reformative and they need not to stay with other adult criminals.

Everyone is concerned about the rape and murder of the 23-year old physiotherapy student in Delhi but what about so many abandoned children in our country? The best way to ensure that juveniles do not get involved in horrific crimes is by effective enforcement of various provisions of the act and creating an effective system to deal with children in need of care and protection.

While condemning the ghastly gang rape, I want to focus on the child involved in the offence. This boy was all of 13 years when he left home. Why did he leave? What was his home like? What happened to him in the last five years? What all has been responsible for turning him into this beast? Why did the juvenile justice system in place in our country not reach out to him and prevented him from being what he has become today?

I strongly believe that a child does not turn into a monster on his own in a day. It takes years of apathy and abandonment to make a child go astray in life. We do not need to amend the Juvenile laws but we need to create a society where the children grow up with love and care.

I have now come home in Ranchi on a two-week vacation after our 4^th semester. My classmate & friend Nilanjan’s father is a reputed ophthalmologist in Bokaro. We decided to get Dadu’s eyes checked by Nilanjan’s father – Dr. Sanjoy Chowdhury. I tied up with Nilanjan. He after discussing with his father invited us to Bokaro on Wednesday.

As we have to stay a night in Bokaro, I asked Nilanjan to reserve 2 rooms for us in a good hotel. So he reserved rooms at Hotel Classic at Sector 4, Bokaro Steel City. We started for Bokaro today at around 12:00 PM in our car. Bokaro is 123 KM from Ranchi.

On the way, we stopped at Hotel Satkar at Ramgarh for lunch. We had nice lunch there and then proceeded for Bokaro.

On reaching Bokaro, I called Nilanjan. As per his directions, we reached the hotel. Nilanjan also arrived at the hotel. He told us that his father was still at the hospital and we can meet him there immediately. So, we then went to Bokaro General Hospital.

Dadu has some problems in his nerves to eyes. It was not checked for quite time. It cannot be operated now. Dr. Chowdhury prescribed medications, which needs to be continued for ever. After check up, he then invited us to his house for dinner.

I went out with Nilanjan for a round on his bike in the neighborhood.

We went to their house with Nilanjan in the evening.

We were offered cold drinks and some pakroas in snacks. We had nice chats there.

It was then followed by a sumptuous dinner consisting of fried rice, mixed vegetable, chickpeas, and chicken curry.

We had ice cream in the dessert. The dishes were delicious and awesome!

We then returned to our room at the hotel. My mother invited them to Ranchi. Dadu was also quite happy and was praising Dr. Chowdhury and his family. Yes, why not? Nilanjan is my best friend!

We hired a cab and started from our hotel soon after our breakfast. We had tea on the way near a beautiful tea garden.

Char Dham is a popular pilgrimage destination of Sikkim, which also has some interesting history connected to it. The principle deity here is Lord Shiva. It is believed that during the Kurukshetra war between the Kauravas and Pandavas, this place was where Arjuna worshipped Lord Shiva. It is also believed that Lord Shiva, pleased with Arjuna, appeared before him as a hunter and blessed him which helped Pandavas in winning the war.

In Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Shiva, after losing Sati in Agnikund, had gone into seclusion and became a hunter in the forests of Sikkim. There is also a famous Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple at Legship, in West Sikkim along the banks of River Rangeet.

Chardham is a unique pilgrim centre with a 108 feet tall statue of Lord Shiva , this pilgrim centre also has replicas of the twelve Jyotirlingas to offer one platform for Shiva devotees. The four most revered Dhams of the Hindus – Jagannath, Dwarika, Rameshawaram, Badrinath have been replicated in this fantastic complex to benefit the devotees visiting this place.

The temple complex is divided into 4 parts – the statue of Lord Shiva along with 12 jyothirlingas, four dhams, a Sai Baba Mandir and the Kirateshwar Statue besides the Nandi bull.

We returned hotel after visiting Buddha Park at Rabongla.

After visiting the temples, we returned back to Gangtok. It’s a nice trip and we enjoyed a lot.

Luckily my 3^rd semester finished on 31 January followed by 2-week holidays before commencement of the 4^th semester. Dad also managed to get his 2-week holidays during the same period. Dad had planned and booked the journey more than 2 months before, in anticipation. It’s needed as there is a huge rush for the mela.

To avoid any travail during travel, Dad booked the tickets via Kolkata. We left Ranchi for Kolkata on 5 February by air and then for Allahabad by Poorva Express on the morning of 6 February 2013.

We were booked in AC First class coach. We arrived at Howrah station in the morning at around 7am. There was quite a rush for people boarding the train. Also, there was a huge queue of people for boarding the general compartments as they did not manage to get the reservation.

The train left on schedule. We took our break fasts that we carried with us. Also we ordered some light snacks from Railway pantry car. Poorva Express is one of the prestigious trains in India and is hence well served by pantry car. We were getting regular supply of drinks and foods inside the coach.

The train was only stopping at important stations on the way. It was running on schedule. I bought a small Ludo game at Howrah railway station. We also played a few Ludo games to pass the time on the train.

In another coach nearby some women were signing kirtans and bhajans. They were also going to Allahabad for Kumbh mela. Mom also joined them briefly. We were all in holy Kumbh mood!

The train reached Allahabad station with a small delay. My grandpa [Dadu] and cousin were at the platform to receive us.

The food was tasty. Kaveri is the best restaurant in Ranchi for vegetarian foods.

I contacted my friend Karan & Mihir on reaching home. They are studying in Ranchi. We were together at Bishop Westcott Boys’ School, Namkom, Ranchi. Also, came to know that two of my other close friends from my old school, Nishant and Danish have also reached home recently. So, we planned a get together at my home to celebrate my birthday. Nishant is studying in Bhubaneshwar, while Danish is studying in Kolkata.

Danish, Karan & Nishant came to our home at around 11am. Mihir didn’t come. Unfortunately, he is running short on attendance. My another old close friend Gauav also joined us. Gaurav was our neighbor and also my schoolmate at St. Anthony’s. We have a family friendship with them. We were having nice time, gossiping and making fun. But, we were missing Mihir. We were calling him frequently to join us. At last, he agreed. Then, Nishant & Danish went to bring him home. And this completed my core group of friends.

My mother cooked and arranged lovely foods on my birthday including our traditional payesh. Payesh is a must in a Bengali home on birthdays as it is related to long life! It was followed by a heavy lunch consisting of pulao, lal saag, dal, aloo dum, chicken butter masala, mutton curry, chutney with sweets at the end.

We six of us were talking and eating. We all ate too much and were talking more to accommodate more food and then we were literally unable to move. The food was so delicious and the companionship with old friends made us over-eat too much. It took us over an hour to leave the dining table!

We then returned to my room and started again with our gossips and experiences at different places. Dad ordered for my birthday cake before. He brought the cake. I then cut the cake with my friends singing the regular birthday song.

Then my friends started smearing the cake and cream on my face and head. We ate the cake pieces and also played with the cake.

It was getting evening, so my school friends left for their homes. I had a wonderful day with my friends. Their presence made it as one of my most memorable birthdays. Thank you, friends for coming over and celebrate my birthday.

In the evening, we had a special dinner program with some close family friends at Hotel Capitol Hill, Main Road, Ranchi. We normally arrange our parties there. The restaurant of that hotel is quite good and one of the best in Ranchi. The hotel also arranged a birthday cake for me. I cut the cake again.

Then we had our dinner. Gaurav was also there. We started with soup and followed by north Indian dishes then Gulab jamun/ice creams at the end plus cake. It was a grand day with lots of food. Now, I don’t think that I need to eat for a couple of days!

Thanks to my mom and dad for arranging everything for me and of course, the nice watch that they gifted me on today.

So we started chatting as always about our day and then what’s going on around the world. Then suddenly something struck my mind and I asked him whether I could join him on his night duty as the next day was our holiday. I didn’t expect that but he accepted my proposal wholeheartedly and even promised me to teach things also. I got excited and happy. There was still time for the duty. We had to report after 9 at night.

We went to have dinner and after it we headed towards the emergency. As we reached there; the faculties present there were quite amazed to see me there for being a 3^rd semester student it’s quite uncommon to be at emergency night duty or any duty. As they asked me, Dhananjay sir informed them that I was with him so that I can learn some of the clinics. They asked me my name and particulars.

My first live cases

Babita madam, a Junior Resident, asked me to take BP of a patient who was already in emergency. I took the sphygmomanometer and was about to leave then she asked about the stethoscope. I showed her my pocket and she said that I am a medico and I should be wearing it on my neck as if it’s my jewelry.

Then I went for the patient. As she was my 1^st real life patient I was quite tensed. Anyhow I took her BP and reported to ma’am. She asked me what the problem was. I said it’s my first time real life experience with a patient and it’s not lab subject. Then we spoke for some time as she relieved my nervousness. She explained that it happens when with every new students. I was feeling quite better then.

Dhananjay sir came and called me as we have to catheterize a patient. I was quite happy as he said that I would do it and he would just guide me. We went to the patient. He was quite old and a regular patient of catheterization. He was a patient of chronic kidney disease for a long time. He was admitted that night with problem of not being able to pass urine since catheter was removed in the morning. He had been on catheter for a long period but still no relief. Dhananjay sir was guiding me throughout the process as I catheterized the patient.

After some time another patient came to emergency. He was completely drunk and had no idea what had happened to him except the pain. He was brought there by his employers. They said he came running from uphill with bleeding and was shouting for his master. It was a medico-legal case. So we took him into the minor Operation Theater in the emergency. There we saw his wound. He got a cut with khukri, a type of knife used by Gurkhas and Nepalis. The cut was so worse that even his bone got fractured. Then we put a tile to immobilize the hand and further treatment was to be done by the Orthopaedic department after getting an X-ray done. Then we shifted him to general ward. After this case we sat for some time. My seniors were discussing about the infrastructure of the hospital.

First Neuro surgery case

After some time a patient was brought who fell backwards and got a head injury and was semi-conscious. He was having tremendous pain. Earlier today a neurosurgeon had joined our college. So he was called urgently to the emergency. The patient was taken for CT scan. After the radiography, we came to know that he had a lot of internal bleeding and clot on the right side of the brain. He also had his mid-line deviated and hemorrhoids on the left side. When we checked his pupils, we found that his right pupil was dilated very much and the left one was normal.

The neurosurgeon said the patient needs to be operated soon. The doctors convinced the patient party and took their consent. It was to be the 1^st neurosurgery in Sikkim since there were no neurosurgeons in Sikkim before him. All such cases were referred to Siliguri before. I was excited to be able to witness the first neurosurgery. I was feeling to be a part of history!

The surgeon asked for shaving the head of the patient and place him on catheter. So Dhananjay sir and I started for shaving his head. We could not find the required instruments, so we did it with the scalpel and thread cutting scissors, to save time also. Time is very precious at this moment. With the help of the sisters there we shaved his head and then put the catheter. The patient was too restless due to the pain. Then he was taken to the Operation Theater [OT]. The instruments required for the operations were not complete there and our surgeon was disturbed because of that. Then he instructed for the instruments to be arranged asap. The Medical Officer called the Army hospital for the required equipments. He said that they would arrange and provide in 45 minutes. We stated the process for life support of the patient like ventilation and other things. Then surgeon sir started telling us about the situation of the patient. In fact, he was then taking our class right there in the OT. That time there were three assistants – one surgery PG student, one junior resident, one surgery assistant professor, one intern, one anesthetist and one 3^rd semester student, that is me, in that single room. And the surgeon started to give us lecture on this type of cases.

The instruments arrived a bit late than expected. Then he started the operation and showed the ways of opening the skull and incisions on the scalp. As he started operation he came to know that all the equipment he got was really of poor quality and unused from a long time. Thus he started getting angry and scolded everybody there.

Another patient arrives

After some time there was a call from the emergency for help since there was another patient. So Nitin sir, PG student from surgery and I went down to see the case. There was this patient with lots of stab injuries over the chest and face. The patient was brought by the police and reported that he was stabbed by his own brother by a broken beer bottle, from which they two were drinking before the fight started. Then we took his X-ray and made him sleep some how. There was nothing serious about him. He had deep injuries but not deep enough to pierce the pleura. Then Dhananjay sir came down from the OT and said that the operation was successful and we returned back to the hostel at 7am in the morning.

This was my first night experience at the emergency of hospital. It was thrilling for me as I could encounter some live cases there and learned a lot. Thanks Dhananjay Sir for giving me this opportunity!