The Long Weekend of Grace:
A Journey of Reflection and Gratitude

The last few days (July 27 to July 31, 2024) have been an extraordinary journey filled with varied experiences and profound reflections. It all began with an impromptu trip to Alibaug with two of my close friends. This was my first visit to Alibaug, a picturesque coastal town, and it served as the perfect getaway. We indulged in the freedom of eating what we desired, strolling along the serene beach, and engaging in deep, meaningful conversations while sipping coffee on a cozy couch. The rain and the enchanting weather added a magical touch to our weekend, making it an unforgettable start.

As the weekend gave way to Monday, my journey took a significantly profound turn. I visited the Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital (SSSH) in Kharghar, Maharashtra, where I had the privilege of meeting Sreenivas Sir. The Sathya Sai Foundation, established in the 1970s, provides free congenital heart defect surgeries for underprivileged families across India. They have performed over 30,000 such procedures, including cath procedures, entirely free of cost. The foundation not only covers the surgery expenses but also accommodates and feeds the families during the entire duration of the surgery and the post-operative period. I met a person there from Bangladesh who wanted the doctors at SSSH to operate on babies born with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), as Bangladesh did not have enough doctors who could conduct such complex procedures.

After my brief interaction with the gentleman from Bangladesh, I had the opportunity to meet some families and children. Meeting families with children about to undergo surgery and those who had just come out of it was a deeply moving experience. As someone who was born with a congenital heart defect, seeing the pain and anxiety these families endure resonated with me on a personal level. It was a life-changing experience, filling me with immense gratitude for my own existence and for the support of my family.

Following this, my journey led me to Bangalore, where I visited Narayana Health for my cardiac check-up. Thanks to a dear friend from Calcutta, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Devi Shetty and Dr. Maiya. As a TOF patient, I have lived all my life without a pulmonary valve, which places a strain on the right ventricular side of my heart. Every few years, I get my right ventricle monitored, knowing that one day I will need surgery. The doctors at Narayana were amazing. They have recommended additional tests and MRIs to monitor my right ventricular function, as my RVEF function is borderline. Such moments of health-related introspection bring a deep sense of gratitude, reminding me of the fragility and preciousness of life.

Despite the seriousness of my health concerns, I found solace and joy in simple pleasures. I celebrated the end of my check-up with a delightful South Indian dosa and some coffee, cherishing the small joys that life offers.

Today, as I return to Calcutta, I am filled with anticipation for the busy week ahead. Globsyn Business School is set to welcome more than 300 new MBA students to our campus, marking a dynamic and exciting period for us. Reflecting on the past few days, I am struck by the transience of life and the importance of living in the moment. Each experience, whether joyful or challenging, has contributed to my understanding of life’s true nature.

This blog is a testament to the incredible journey I have embarked on over the last few days. It is a reminder to embrace every moment, to be grateful for our existence, and to find meaning in both the highs and the lows. Life is fleeting, and it is this very impermanence that makes each moment so precious.