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Travelogue
by Prof.K.Srinivas |
| Introduction
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On the 17th
of October 2003 my wife Padma and I embarked
on a whirlwind tour of USA and Canada; part
academic and part renewing acquaintances.
The first stop was San Francisco via Singapore
and Seoul by Singapore Airlines. This is
perhaps one of the longest flights in terms
of hours one could undertake!! |
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| ARRIVAL
AND TIME IN SAN FRANCISCO |
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We arrived
on the 18th at 12.45 PM San Francisco time.
We were cordially received by Krish (Ramakrishnan)
our former Dietician colleague Padma's husband.
He drove us to Hotel Marriot, at Down Town.
The American Neurological Association (128th
meeting) was having its full meeting here;
hence we stayed here. Commuting in large
cities anywhere is difficult and this was
the best way of avoiding travel. |
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| The
American Neurological Association (ANA)
meeting and the award |
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Founded
128 years ago in 1875, it is the oldest
body of Neurologists in the world. The venues
are decided well in advance for at least
three future meetings. |
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| The
themes of the ANA meetings. |
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The themes
were significant and called Public Policy
symposium. They were as follows: |
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| (a) |
New
Threats - Natural emerging infections
and bioterrorism |
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Syphilis
and HIV, lessons from the great imitators |
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Emerging
antimicrobial resistant infections.
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| (d) |
Evolution
of neurovirulent viruses |
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Regular
Neurological symposia/themes were`well coordinated
along with this. |
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Most of
the above four themes were of great Public
Health importance. The ones I attended were
brief, to the point, and well updated. Speakers
had taken care to retain accuracy, reference
to world literature and left adequate time
for discussion. Discussion time is often
curtailed in many meetings. |
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As one interested
in History, the history of Neurology in
California especially San Francisco was
fascinating; some great names adorned the
descriptions to inspire all of us. |
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| The
Award |
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On the 20th
of October at a Solemn Ceremony I was presented
the prestigious award; namely the Honorary
Membership certificate, scroll and tie,
before a large gathering; joining some of
the great men and women in Neurosciences,
was to say the least, a great privilege. |
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From Left - Right
Prof. Robert Daroff, Prof. K. Srinivas
and Prof. Sid Gilman
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With Prof. Timothy
Pedley
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With Prof. Lewis P.
Rowland
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At the banquet
on the 21st a special Srinivas - Srinivasan
table, had been assigned. Prof. Robert Daroff,
Mrs. Jane Daroff, Prof. LP Rowland, Mrs.
Esther Rowland, Prof. Stanley Fahn, Prof.
Robert Griggs, Mrs. Griggs, Prof. Jeffrey
Cummings, and other top Neurologists eulogised
this award privately as a special distinction.
I looked at this not as a personal honour,
but as a lasting tribute to Indian Neurology.
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| The
leisure time |
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We went
on a memorable trip to Alcatraz. To give
a descriptive version to this famous place,
it roughly corresponds to our Andaman Island
prisons in India. The ferry boat trip across
the bay was an exhilarating experience.
Memories that remain with us The friendliness,
hospitality and affection of Padma, the
dietician and her family. We discovered
that Padmaís mother is a close relation
of my mother and this strengthened the bonds.
Padma & Krish are very well settled in a
beautiful suburb of San Francisco called
Saratoga. We are deeply grateful for her
complete hospitality for our entire stay.
We are equally grateful to my old colleague
and friend Dr.Saikumar and his family. Dr.Saikumar
took us to Alcatraz; as his guest and also
at an unearthly hour to the airport. What
amazes me about Dr.Saikumar is his flexibility
and how he has adapted himself beautifully
to an entirely new cultural environment;
this because of his family and this is the
greatness of our Indian culture. |
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| The
other visits |
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We went
to New York, Connecticut, Washington, Virginia
in the USA and to Toronto, Canada and of
course the Niagara Falls!! In all these
places we were impressed by the services
provided by the Government both medical
and general. The cleanliness and orderliness
impressed us greatly. |
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Hindu Temple at
Flushing, New York
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The visit
to the Hindu Temple at Flushing, New York
was a revelation. All Indians, some Asians,
and a few foreigners were praying and singing.
People from South India especially, were
going back to their roots; chanting, praying
and a group of men singing!! I often wonder
why in India we fail to show the same enthusiasm
for music, chanting and religious values.
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| Acknowledgement |
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At San Francisco,
but for the following, this trip would never
have happened. My American neurological
fraternity led by Prof. Daroff, all of whom
and several friends around the world who
thought it fit to confer this highest honour
upon me. Padma, Krish and Padma's mother;
Dr.Saikumar and family for their affection
thoughtfulness and the quiet dignified hospitality |
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At New York,
Connecticut, Washington, Virginia (USA)
and Toronto (Canada) my sister-in-law, Gita
and her husband Sachidanandam who drove
us "miles and miles" and with affection,
and our nephew Dr. Ram Kumar, his wife Dr.
Aruna (Ramana Maharishi family) Pediatric
Oncologist. Our niece Kousalya in Washington
and the late Col.R.D.Ayyar's daughter Smt.
Sita and her husband Ramakrishnan and family
at Virginia. Our nephew Sundar and his wife
Gayatri at Toronto. We thank Prof. R.P.
Ayyar, Professor and Chairman, Department
of Medicine at Chatham, Ontario and our
nephew Sundar for introducing us to many
things but especially the CNN towers at
Toronto. |
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Union Station at Washington
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| The
final Good Bye |
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A note on the Niagara
Falls
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I first
went to the Niagara Falls while working
in Montreal in 1959. The world has changed,
so has the place, but not the falls which
retain their grandeur. However environmentalists
in Canada are worried about the surroundings
and the commercialization like anywhere
else. Unfortunately the "Maid of the Mist"had
to be cancelled because of the beginnings
of the Canadian winter. |
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The CNN
Towers in Toronto reported to be the tallest
building in the world; although there are
others competing for this honour. A panoramic
view of Toronto and its surroundings from
the very top of this tower is thrilling.
An elevator takes you to the very top in
59 seconds!! |
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| Summary |
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An old aphorism
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull
boy". For Doctors like myself, a mixture
of work and looking at places was important,
some old and some new and fascinating. As
mentioned in the 1994 and 1998 visits, the
cleanliness, orderliness and high standard
of education all leave us with good impressions,
remembering of course that Western society
is not one of the easiest of societies to
live in. For many from India we notice the
lack of spiritual happiness and leaving
families back at home is the greatest disadvantage.
I suppose life is nothing but a compromise
of all good and bad things. This is the
way it is always going to be!! |
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