MY UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
Dr. Aparna Hebbar H, Assistant professor, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Veterinary College Athani, Belagavi, Karnataka
What do you want to become in future? This is common question to be asked to the students in their Pre-University Studies. I used to say Veterinary Doctor at that time as I was inspired by my one lady vet in my community. It fascinated lot to me at that time because I was grown up in the village background. Many of my family members opposed to this, including my father. Some of made fun of it also, but I was strongly determined to become Veterinarian. I had asked other Veterinary doctors nearby working my surrounding about my decision, but they too did not encourage me much as it would be very challenging for ladies. By all these apprehensions, I entered to this profession. I was elated when I got admitted to Veterinary College for pursuing this degree.
We were total ten girls in the batch among total strength of sixty which was the highest number at that time. Later series of courses, exams, practical exams, viva -voce and externals kept us busy for next five years. I have chosen to pursue my post-graduation later. Soon after this, I have been appointed as Veterinary officer in our state. My working place was in my district itself. In my district only four ladies were working in that time. When I duty reported in that village our staff people wondered to see a lady as officer. It was breaking news in that village that one girl got appointed as doctor there. Whenever I need to attend cases in the farmers doorsteps all house members used to surround me as if I am going to perform magic show there, they used to call neighbors telling lady doctor is treating the animals. They used to observe me like a foreigner and wondering how she is managing with animals. Later ladies used to ask me personal details including what I had for breakfast, how I plan my lunch after this etc. These scenes repeated many times, all used to identify me as doctor and started saying Namaste whenever they meet me. Later news spread around the village that this lady is working as equal to male doctors.
Years rolled like this, villagers supported me in vaccination camps, extension activities, training programs and scheme implementation. I have been invited as chief guest during school annual day, Independence Day celebration and sports meet etc. I got invitations for their personal programmes like marriage functions and house warming ceremonies etc. Like this it was beautiful journey of becoming Veterinary doctor in the village as I enjoyed as celebrity of that area at that moment. Now I got appointed as assistant professor in veterinary college. During my sendoff villagers also joined the function and made it very beautiful. So, like this I had very beautiful memorable experience as Veterinary doctor in the village.
It will be incomplete without sharing the toilet story here. In many Veterinary dispensaries no toilets were there at that time, even mine was not having that. My attender arranged toilet for me in the nearby house. Thank God, that owner used to stay in Mumbai and twice a year he used to come there. That owner happily agreed for using his toilet and he even asked me to use his house for rest purpose. I used to go to nearby government hospital for toilet and all have given full cooperation for this. However, I used to raise this issue in meetings also. Later our hospital got sanction for new building and it was built in one year. Luckily it was having two toilets, my higher officials informed me this during its sanction itself. I was very happy at that time. Interestingly I have been deputed to college soon after shifting of our hospital to new building. But nowadays no problem of toilet as it is included in the new designs of hospital itself.
But nowadays, the scenario has changed lot, many girl students are joining this profession almost strength is equal to male counterparts. Many ladies are working in my districts also and villagers are interested to send their daughters to this profession. So, shift in the mindset of people made the working environment women friendly. Nowadays lady veterinarians are working in almost all wings of Veterinary Science. They have excelled in Hospitals, Academic institutes, Research field, Private practice and wildlife etc. So, I am happy that women have involved in all sectors and helping to build nation.
