What next- at crossroads

 What next?

It was my last day of post graduation in Anaesthesia. It is customary to bid your goodbyes to your Head of Department, your Teachers,Seniors.

" What will you do in a 3 Tier city,Tripti?"

My HOD enquired.

My seniors commented" Ah,just few D&Cs and a Csection somewhere."....

When a person is ever in Metropolitan Mega City like Mumbai.....

Or If you come from a town in any part of country.....

Attraction of big cities.....

Inclination towards Big cities......

Relunctance to smaller towns.....

When we reach that phase of life after our degrees and education....question 

" What next?"

One aspires to go abroad or settle on a big Metropolitan city.

Reason is opportunities and growth in career.

But I chose a 3 Tier city in Karnataka. 

I am not the first nor the only one.

I had 2 inspiring Doctors for my choice.

A Paediatrician who just like me had spent till post graduation all years in Mumbai.....chose a town at Maharashtra- Gujrat border for his further journey and beginning of his career as a Paediatrician. He started a hospital with Neonatal ICU in Bhoisar. In 1980s,Bhoisar was full of Adivasis and other tribal people. An under developed region of Maharashtra. Mumbai was about 2 hrs by Western Railway trains bound to Gujrat.

Today,Bhoisar is a 3 Tier city.The perseverance of the Budding Paediatrician has reaped great results. He not only runs a big Paediatric set up with all modern facilities but also runs NGOs and is part of many philanthropic activities. 

The other Doctor hailed from a remote area in Karnataka and had come to Mumbai for education and experience .He was in 1980s working with the eminent Orthopaedic surgeon of Mumbai. 

After acquiring his degree and skills in Orthopaedics....when " What next?" Options of settling in Metropolitan city of great Opportunities was freely available......

The young Doctor chose his hometown in Karnataka. 

He started a hospital there .Those days ,it was surrounded by farmers and multiple villages.

The perseverance and dedication of the budding Orthopaedic surgeon paid rich dividends. 

Today Gokak is a prominent Business District in Karnataka. The hospital is biggest Orthopedic set up in that region.Advanced surgeries and modern technology .....well equipped Superspeciality hospital. 

The Orthopedic Surgeon us renowned name in Karnataka Today.

Agreed,Metropolitan city have all facilities and opportunities for growth- personal and professional. 

But for highly skilled professionals, any place is good. 

When I decided to settle in Hubli....many in Mumbai and even in Hubli ( astonished) doubted my decision. 

Hubli may be a 3 Tier city less equipped in comparison to Mumbai....100%.

But even when I arrived in 2000 ,Hubli was busy Business District of North Karnataka. 

State of Art facilities were there with advanced Surgeries and Technology being carried out and available. Though handful then.

Today, 2025,the City boasts of many Superspeciality hospitals in all fields of Medicine.Obstetric ,Paediatric, Gynaecoligy Quarternary care set ups...Cardiac cathlabs,Cardiac bypass, Cardiac interventions.Neurological ICUs, Endoscopy intervention,.Organ Transplant, Replacement surgeries, State of Art Eye Care,Oncology centres,Psychiatry Deaddiction centres,All Advanced Diagnostic And Scan centres,Intensive care Units which treat all Complicated Cases......

A Hub fir Global advanced Medical Care in North Karnataka. 

Today, I look back......

I was questioned " What will you do in Hubli,Tripti?" with skepticism and doubt...in 2000.

25 years later,I want to reply....

I give Anaesthesia to every field of Medicine in state of Art setups,equipped with Modern gadgets and technology. I get opportunity to simultaneously practice Pain and Palliative care Medicine. 

Apart from a satisfying and busy Professional career growth, Hubli also gave me opportunity to indulge in philanthropic activities. 

Dear Youth,

At the threshold of beginning your new phase of life after procurement of degree and skills.....

What next????

Metropolitan Mega cities do flood you with multiple opportunities and growth options. 

But a smaller town is challenging. 

Smaller towns have though lesser options and opportunities initially. 

But competition is less.You are provided a Blank Canvas for you to paint your pictures the way you want ....

A virgin land for you to develop as you aspire.....

For a highly skilled professional who is willing to work hard with perseverance and dedication......such smaller towns do provide opportunities for both professional and personal growth. 

Apart from one's professional work,the places do allow to indulge in philanthropic activities. 

A healthy environment for work life balance.

When you are at the Crossroads. 

When you have choices to make.....

India is today full of opportunities and healthy environment for professional growth. 

Today, Metropolitan cities obviously do have best technology and connectivity. 

But they have reached saturation and extensively competitive ( The population of any metro in India is bigger than a country in Europe. )

Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence has brought the world at your doorstep. 

Communication and Accessibility from any part of world has become easy even in remote places anywhere in India....even in places with no flight connectivity......

Today's youth need not leave their roots to settle away seeking better professional opportunities. 

You can procure skills and expertise and return back to your Homeland,Birthplace and Roots  

Your Karmabhoomi today can be....( must be I feel)... at your Janmabhoomi. ....your WORKPLACE MUST BE AT YOUR BIRTHPLACE, YOUR HOMELAND ....YOUR PEOPLE. 

- Dr Tripti Milind Galgali 

Hubli.