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5th Annual Konkan Fruit Fest
Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panaji, Goa
16-18, May 2008
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-May/073789.html
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For information of the members on this list. A friend from Goa sent it to me.
Sachin Phadte
THE GANDHI WITHIN
>From working a stethoscope and educating underprivileged children to
>counselling prostitutes and raking street garbage... he's done it all. Now 64,
>Dr Atmaram Pandarinath Sinai Borkar - Dr Borkar to many - has virtually put a
>full-stop to social service, not because he lacks the drive but purely because
>of his physical condition. In 2006, he battled stomach cancer, for which, he
>underwent surgery, besides nursing a fractured right shoulder following a
>freakish fall.
Armed with an MBBS degree from Karnataka Medical College, Dr Borkar set up shop
at Baina, in Vasco, in March 1974, unaware that social service would be part
and parcel of his career as a medical practitioner.
"A few days before coming to Goa, I met a Hindu philosopher in Hubli who
pointed out, 'Son, we are all sinners, more so, debtors. The only way to atone
is by serving humanity.' These words touched me and from then on, there was no
looking back," said Dr Borkar.
Of medium built and pleasing personality, Borkar comes from a traditional Hindu
brahmin family and lives a simple lifestyle with a wife and son, both doctors,
who wholeheartedly support his social missions.
A true follower of Mahatma Gandhi's teachings, Dr Borkar first lent a helping
hand to an 8-year-old boy, trapped in a deep trench, built by the PWD, for
sewerage lines at Desterro. No one from the crowd that had gathered dared to
venture. However, Dr Borkar, who was passing by, stopped, lunged himself
forward, grabbed the youngster by his shirt and pulled him to safety. "I didn't
have to think twice. It was an instant reaction," says the doctor.
In 1980-81, during one of his visits to the once infamous red-light area of
Baina, Dr Borkar spotted a lonely figure walking into the sea. The physician
ran up to the aged individual and hauled him back.
"He was one S P Joseph, an ex-military man who received no pension. Besides, he
was blind and a destitute with sores all over his body, and on the verge of
committing suicide. Seeing his sorry state, I, a bachelor then, brought him
home and with the help of a Christian lady, cleaned his wounds. The following
day, I approached one Dr Kaisare who volunteered to conduct an operation on his
eyes. After the surgery, the man's vision was restored in one eye," says Dr
Borkar.
Such have been Dr Borkar's humanitarian qualities that, over the last three
decades, he has single-handedly worked with commercial sex workers in the
redlight area. He conducted several counselling sessions, besides leading
campaigns, highlighting the use of condoms.
"Working with sex workers is a responsible task. Initially, I was looked at
very suspiciously. At times, they even shoved and pushed me around. But, they
gradually got into the groove after a few counselling sessions. My moment of
pride was when I succeeded in convincing one of the 'ladies of the night' to
give up the profession. I even helped her tie the knot and got her marriage
registered," says the gray-haired surgeon.
Besides attending to several patients at his dispensary, Dr Borkar would devote
time to teach SSC students from Anjuman and Mata High School free of cost. One
such lad, Rajesab Sangam, who hailed from a economically backward family, went
on to complete his graduation and is presently teaching in neighbouring
Karnataka.
The 'Good Samaritan's' contribution to society did not end there. In the late
90's, he took to the streets, desilting gutters and clearing garbage in and
around the Baina market place.
During this period Dr Borkar also felicitated one Jaidev Naik Manjrekar and
presented him Rs 1850 collected from various donors. Manjrekar, who then
executed municipal contracts, reportedly became a victim of the civic body that
kept his payments pending.
Apart from a flair for medical science, Dr Borkar has written several articles
and a book, Reality At A Glance that highlights the plight of the common man.
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