A letter to my patients

Dear Patients, 

 First of all, thank you for trusting JSR Health for your care! You are the reason I wanted to be who I am today. 

 Raised by extremely kind parents, I imbibed their values and respected my elders and had a caring attitude towards the young and peers. I picked up after my parents' passion to help people by becoming a doctor. 

 Fortunately enough, I was able to land on the opportunities to fulfill my dream. The path crossed one of the most reputed medical college, public health institution, residency programs. I found amazing mentors, teachers, friends, students and patients on the way who enhanced my learning experience at every step. 

 Every time I opened the book to learn about the human body, I would be awestruck by this amazing work of nature. It just simply seems impossible that so many fine details go into making simple things happen. Looking at how nicely and thoughtfully the bones and joints and muscles are laid, how amazingly the nerves innervate it, and how many things need to be in coordination to complete a simple action of raising the arms overhead. It almost makes me believe that some amazing scientist from some other world must have designed our DNAs which has a biological clock for making all changes in the body happen the way they do.  

 Of course, when the things are that meticulous, it does need decades of learning, affording which is also not very easy. 

 When my friends would go out having fun in the park, watch movies, concerts and parties, I would be wearing my glasses and sitting alone in the room with the bone set and books, reading every aspect of the bone.  

 When other kids enjoyed Halloween, I would be amazed at looking at the skeleton and revise the names of each marking on our bones where the muscles get attached and the nerves course through. 

 The time went so fast, and one day when I raised my head up to see what's happening, I realized that I wasn't a child anymore, I wasn't even a young person anymore, I was a middle aged person who had dedicated her life to medicine and was happy about it. 

 I pursued Internal Medicine to unfold the puzzle of life. I pursued Geriatrics as I wanted to understand the process of ageing and take care of my parents as well as the elderly patients. I pursued public health to learn how to spread awareness. My mentors and program directors and teaching doctors had an immense role in feeding into my interest in Rheumatology which budded since childhood when I saw my dear cousin limited by Rheumatoid arthritis at an early age. 

 In the process, I found great people, both kind and unkind. Everyone taught me important life lessons. 

 During this journey, I also lost a lot of family members, including my own dearest brother and whose blessings always stayed with me.  

 I never had the luxury to take the time to shed a tear and the art of medicine healed me itself. 

 Life is a theme park with a lot of roller coaster rides. Recently we had an addition of a new pandemic ride which some of us survived, some didn't. Again, the science and medicine proved to be the savior and fortunately a winner. Proud to be a part of such a great team of scientific warriors. 

 At this time, I am proudly raising my beautiful daughter, Riya, as a single mom. Riya has done medical hours in early childhood and has been a wonderful accomplice. My elderly parents shower their blessings on me. I feel fortunate to be able to be with them. They are the reason why I am here in this world, doing what I do. They are the reason why I love driving to Assisted Living once every so often to take care of the elderly who cannot commute. 

 I try my best to focus on each patient and try my best to give each patient the time and attention they need while respecting other patient's time. 

 What I didn't learn in the process was how insurance and billing things happen so I have a team of people to help. Interestingly enough, insurance processes are so meticulous that it would need a PhD of its own and studying those would certainly take several years. Hats off to the people who understand the world of insurance. They probably are smarter than the doctors.  

What I also didn't learn was how lab agencies, pharmacy and insurance were functioning and how they have developed interesting ways to approve or deny labs, imaging, and prior authorizations. We do not have any financial ties with any lab or any imaging center or any pharmacy. We always make our patients feel free to go wherever they want and have the results faxed to us when they get that done. Recommendations for places are available to the patients who ask for suggestions. 

 As a doctor's office, we will take the time to understand your problem and help in every possible way to identify your problem and plan an appropriate treatment. However, we do respect our patient's free will and let them make an educated decision about their treatment and where they want to get the evaluation and work-up done and where they want to get treated. Our work is to make our patients understand their condition and educate them about the workup needed and available treatment options.

 While our staff tries to help provide free services to help our patients, this is certainly not our expertise and with the zillion types of insurance and sub-insurance and their rules and policies, please understand that we have no way to predict which insurance will approve or deny any particular lab or imaging or medicine. 

 The creation of JSR Health Rheumatology is an attempt to provide the patient the quality of care they deserve and the time that they need so they could be heard and rightly treated. However, we are limited in providing free services to our patients regarding assistance with their insurance. We do have HIPAA trained office staff who help me keep a track of things within human capacity and bring to my attention things that need my attention, since as a doctor, I am busy seeing patients all day. Please understand that these services are billed to your insurance to be able to sustain the support for our patients. 

 We request you to not hold us responsible for denials from your insurance, any billing from your lab, imaging center and pharmacy as we have no knowledge of what and how they bill nor we have any capacity to change anything at their end and oftentimes we are not even made aware of what is going on at their end, until we learn from you. We request you to reach out to them independently. We will try our best to help you in the process as we strongly believe in advocating for our patients. Our office is on your side and we request you to not hold us responsible for things over which we don't have any control. 

 That being said, caring for our patients is the best thing in the world for us and we continually thank you for the opportunity to make a positive difference in your lives. 

 We welcome you to JSR Health with open arms! 

 Sincerely, 

 Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH Rheumatologist, Geriatrician, Internist JSR Health PLLC 21216 NW Freeway, Bldg 1, Suite 230 Cypress, Tx 77429 Mailing Address:  13100 Wortham Center Dr., #307, Houston, Tx 77433 Office Phone: 409 276 5595 Fax: 314 405 9678 University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston alumna New York Medical College Alumna Harvard School of Public Health alumna

©All rights reserved . Copyright 2023

Life is Unique!

Life is Unique!

This life is unique
This body is unique
These talents are unique
These flaws are unique

We get one life. Even if we get reincarnated, we get the current body only once. It would never be the same in any other lifetime. It can be similar but not the same. And we don't even know if it is actually only once or do multiple lifetimes exist.

All the great people of all times had what they had only when they were alive. It's an enigma that happens to them after they parted from the earth.

They made their existence worthwhile by using their natural gifts.

Einstein, Edison, Wright brothers, Lata Mangeshkar, Gandhi, Lincoln and many more people did what they were good at and gave it their best efforts and created a legend.

When we are here, we should not get distracted by life events.

We should set our goals and keep getting better at what we do with each day.

At the end of the day, it should feel that our existence is meaningful to us as well as to others and our universe.

Memories, good or bad, are there to help us learn from the past experiences and put them to use when moving towards the future. Memories are not meant to go back to the past.

Emotions that we experience are tools to help stay balanced. Overflow in any direction can make us fall.

This morning, if you are reading this, please close your eyes for 5 minutes. Think about what it is that brings you utmost joy and what it is that you are really good at.

As long as our joy does not cause sadness to anyone, that joy is worth pursuing and should be pursued at convenience and at appropriate times.

For example, if you like to travel, plan one at a convenient time and narrate all about the learnings from that travel to share with all.

If you like to sing, pick up the mic and start singing and record to your best.

If you like to paint, pick up a brush and paint the most beautiful picture that comes to your mind.

If you like solving puzzles, pick up a challenging puzzle and complete it and share your strategy on a piece of paper.

If you like gardening, pick up your gardening tools and grow something beautiful and observe the beauty of nature.

If you like dancing,  put a mirror in front of you and dance to your favorite tunes.

If you play an instrument, bring your hands or mouth at work and create a symphony.

If you like to write, then pick up a pen and write the deepest thoughts and make it into an epic.

If you love photography, pick up your camera and capture the amazing and unique beauty of our earth.

If you like to cook, create a delicious and healthy recipe to share with everyone.

Pursue your hobbies and talents to their fullest capacity. These talents are unique, this body is unique and this life experience is unique.

This life will never come back. Even if reincarnation exists, this life will never come back.

Stay nice to people around. Fighting over religion, a piece of land, proving one to be better than another on the basis of race, color, cast ,creed, religion, physical features is the pettiest thing in the world.

We are bigger than that. Aren't we?

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH
10/24/23
©All rights reserved . Copyright 2023

Ek Naya Savera

Suraj ki nai kirnein Aayin

Ek Naya Sandesa Laayi

Chharon taraf ujiyara chhaya

Dekho phir Naya din aaya

Neele par ek laal prakash

Sundarta ka adhbut ehsaas

Door ek Tara Chapman Raha hai

Mano mand mand muska Raha tha

Suraj ki roshni sama ke

Apna prakash badha raha tha

Dharti PE sunehri kirnein Aayin

Ped aur pattiya lehrayi

Phool bhi Huse aur khilkhilaye

Pakshi daali pe chehchahaye

Ek oonchi uddan aj bharenge

Kal se bhi zyada upar udenge

Naye prakash mein nayi rachna rachenge

Jab suraj sham layega

Usko apni Kahani kahenge

Phir ek baar raat ki gode mein so Kar

Angle din key sapne bunenge

Suraj ki kirnein Aayin

Naye din ka Naya Sandesa layin!

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

10/19/2023

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Sachhi Preet!

Dil se Dil Ka rishta 

Koi Bandhan ka mohtaj nahi

Preet ki reet Jo samjhe

Mano sachha hai sartaj wahi

Chahe raja chahe rank

Chahe ishwar chahe Bhakt

Ya ho koi rahgir

Jo Chal Raha ho ek path

Ya ho behna ya ho mata

Ya ho pita ya ho Bhrata

Ya koi dost ya Santaan

Ya premi ka ho Samaan

Rishta ho ya koi na ho

Man se man ka Mel mahaan

Na joi shabd na koi drishya

Antarman ki bhasha pehchaan

Kya galat Kya hai Sahi

Kya kahi Kya unkahi

Kya suni Kya unsuni

Ek door bandhe hai sabhi

Dil se Dil Ka rishta 

Koi Bandhan ka mohtaj nahi

Preet ki reet Jo samjhe

Mano sachha hai sartaj wahi

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

6/5/2023

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Waqt to sirf sikha raha tha

Waqt to sirf sikha raha tha

Kyun laga ki sata raha tha

Wo to sirf bata Raha tha

Rah sahi dikha Raha tha

Andhera sirf tabhi tak tha

Jab tak aankhon ka dwar band tha

Man ke kiwad khol raha tha

Taaron ki Roshni se aangan saja raha tha

Aj man hi angan hai

Man hi manoranjan hai

Aankhein swayam hi darpan hai

Har Jagah apnapan hai

Har Dil mein ek raja hai

Har Dil mein ek rank hai

Har jeev mein ek mitra hai

Har pal ek sunahra Chitra hai

Ek sachha raja fakeer hai

Fakeer ko koi fikra nahi

Man mein mauj hai

Jeev ka bhale pata nahi

Kyun Chintan manan Karein

Kyun na gahan adhyayan Karein

Aur phir befikra hokar

Unchi udaan bharein

Samay to sirf ek shikhshak tha

Adhyayan anokhe padha raha tha

Dhara to tej thi par marg band tha

Marg khol, humari gati badha raha tha

Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

6/1/23

©All rights reserved . Copyright 2023

Bon Voyage!

Bon Voyage!

A very sweet elderly lady departed.

She was a very sweet lady with very advanced disease. She had only her niece to take care of her who tried her best to help out.
At her 2nd and last visit, she could manage only a phone call and she could not get any labs or imaging and follow ups and consults. I tried to educate her only to realize that poor lady had so many limitations. She was dependent on others for her care.
Sometimes, life situations tie the hands.
May she rest in peace.

I remember her first visit. The gangrene that she had wasn't looking good but she didn't want aggressive care. She was planning to move to assisted living.

Having seen so many patients through their journey, what I have come to realize is that the best companion in the life is self. We meet several people in our journey but we board and depart alone.

On the other hand, no one is alone because everyone boards and everyone departs.

We should make the most use of the time while we are here.

We keep worrying about gathering and planning a lifetime without realizing that the life experiences are worth much more.

Everything else will stay back on this earth. Even the body and mind and skills stay back. The life departs without anything but experiences and learning.

Welcome to the world of Medicine! These experiences are very soulful and teach a lot.

We just need to keep grasping these learning nuggets, stay happy and healthy and live each moment because each moment that goes will never come back. 

We should always strive to make a significant and positive difference in people's lives.

And these people are humans.
All good work done makes us feel lighter and brighter.

The lighter we are, the easier to depart. After all, while likes to carry a lot of baggage lifetimes after lifetimes!

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

5/30/2023

©All rights reserved . Copyright 2023

Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon

Abhi to main jawaan hoon!

(I am still young.)

"Hello Doctor": comes a very sweet sound when I entered the exam room.

A very beautiful lady in her late 70s was sitting elegantly on the exam chair. She was very well-maintained and her body language was as nimble as of a little girl. She was full of life and grace. She was hurting in her joints.

She felt like she still had so much work to do but her joints and muscle strength were limiting her.

She was very well aware of her health but I could see the spirit in her eyes that she could still do so much to make a difference.

I introduced myself to her and we worked on making her feel better and more mobile and help her complete her goals.

This reminds me of a gentleman who was in mid 80s and he was worried bout the way the arm muscles were lax and he was losing his strength and was unable to do the yard work so well. He was fully functional with intact executive functions and very tech savvy that was impressive.

He had a very good sense of humor and in his mind he was still young and could move mountains. He wanted to do a lot more in the years to come. He had an autoimmune disease that manifested very late in his life.

Seeing geriatric population is very insightful. I have realized that the age is in the heart and it is what you feel it is. 

Dedicating this song to all my very sweet, energetic , motivated elderly patients.

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH 

5/21/2023

©All rights reserved . Copyright 2023

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/53952399

The gem of the patients! Lets fill our treasure boxes with pleasantness!

Disclaimer: The names of the characters have been modified. Ms. Brittany: "Doctor, two months ago, I was driving. And now, I can't even sit up. I had breast cancer several years ago. I survived that, and had all kinds of surgeries, but never knew that someone can have so much of pain and yet be alive. My eye is hurting as if it will burn away. My back is hurting as it will burn away. I believe Jesus is there and he resides in me and he will help me." I held Ms. Brittany's hand and tried to comfort her with the fomentation that she was struggling with and adjusted her posture to make her comfortable. Me: Ms, Brittany, please continue to have this faith and have strong willpower. I have seen patients improve. We will try our best to ease your suffering with the help of medications. Please continue with physical therapy. Long Pause while she looked me in the eye and attempted to speak more and tried to hide her tears... Ms. Brittany: Thank you, doctor, for your positive words.  Ms. Brittany was an active and independent woman leading her life. She had a stroke that took her left half away.  Me: Ms. Brittany. Have you been seeing a neurologist?  Ms. Brittany: No doctor, And I don't think I can see one. I think it will be a while before I can drive again. Me: Would you have anyone who can help you? Ms. Brittany: I won't know until I ask. I guess, my family will. But everyone works, except me. Me: Dear Ms. Brittany, you have worked hard all your life. It's your turn to get care. Ms. Brittany: I guess, you are right, doctor.  You see, I lost my husband a year ago. Now, I am glad for him. He is in a much better place. I never knew someone could be in so much pain and yet be alive. It would have been traumatizing for him to see me this way. I am glad he went before he saw me in this condition." Me: I am sorry to hear about your loss Ms Brittany. I can only imagine the pain and sadness that you must be going through. I will say that I agree he is at a good place and I hope things get better for you. Nothing lasts forever. This, too, shall pass and things will hopefully get better. Ms. Brittany looked into my eye and said, "Thank you, doctor, for your positive words." ms. Brittany must be a very kind soul. I have seen people get delirious and unpleasant when in so much pain and suffering. She had maintained her kindness and was not complaining much despite being in so much pain. It was saddening to see her lying on the bed like that. I did whatever I could to give her some comfort and came out. Life is so unpredictable. Would she have ever imagined the morning that this will be the last morning when she can walk out of the house? The only thing that was giving her some relief was that her beloved husband did not suffer this way and also did not suffer from the pain of watching her suffer. Just the same day, I met another very pleasant patient, Ms Stacy, she was independent and was enjoying cooking her meal in her house. She was worried about her posture that she was bending forward and this was getting worse. She had severe spinal stenosis and she did not want to go through any surgical intervention.  She mentioned that she lost her spouse 3 yrs ago. She got married to him at the age of 13 yrs and they never dated anyone else. They created a big family. She was proudly mentioning that her grandson-in-law was an Indian just like me and then she told me stories about India that she heard from her grandson-in-law who she was very fond of. She was very satisfied with her life and just wanted to maintain her independence until she was alive. Both the patients were in their 80s and 90s A few days ago, I saw another patient, Ms Katie in her 80s, for whom, mobility and being pain-free were very important. She responded great to the knee injections and was mobile again. She gave me a very precious hug and called me her daughter.  As we age, what is important. Almost everyone wanted independence and mobility. No matter how much one is loved or not, no matter how much wealth or knowledge the person has, no matter how big a family someone had, in the end, your own hands and feet and brain matter, and people don't really want to stay in their body if the body limits them. The body in itself is limiting. We are not able to see, hear, or feel a lot of things. We are limited in our knowledge and reach. We are part of mother earth and are protected in her womb and we never take off. We stay in her womb from birth to death. Until a few days ago, I could say that the memories of good times stay and all the life experiences result in fond memories that stay forever. Only to realize that memory fades away too.  I saw a very sweet elderly man, Mr. Alan today, whose wife lost her memory to the point that she didn't recognize him and could not tell a difference between him and another man. He was shattered that the love of his life couldn't even recognize him. He was trying to hide his tears when e said that they were planning to move to assisted living and place his wife in memory care while he lived near her as he didn't have the physical capacity to take care of her and was very sad of losing the cohabiting with his wife of several decades. He was very thankful that he was able to use his shoulder again and manage quite a bit but his wife's memory loss was the most painful thing for him. It will hurt only until he has his own memory. Memory fades away too and so does the mind. It's not just the body but the memories get lost too. What remains then? Nothing? Or is there still some learning that we carry forever. And who is this We or I? In the end, it is a lone journey of social animals. Even if you love someone from the core of the heart, that someone will not wait for you to be ready to say goodbye. When the time comes, that someone will go or that someone will not accompany you when you go. It's a "bhedchaal" i.e. walking behind the sheep and cattle in the direction where they go. It just seems right to continue the life cycle and learn and earn and create a family and enjoy the time. But what is the purpose? No idea! I just know that holding Ms. Brittany's hand and comforting her and placing her in a comfortable position, wiping her tears, listening to the stories from Ms. Stacy, being hugged by Ms. Katie, and comforting Mr. Alan made me feel really good. That gave me a feeling of pleasantness and I was able to close my eyes for the night peacefully and calmly. One day someone asked me why I like to go out to the Assisted Living facility. It is for this vast knowledge that I gain from the gem of the patients who have collected wisdom for almost a century and who have lived the history, is why I don't mind driving 100 miles. Yes, that does make me think of my elderly parents with whom I would like to spend more time and take care of them, and also think of all the other elderly people who have ever seen me as their daughter. My heart goes out to them and I pray that everyone ages beautifully and keeps collecting wisdom points of pleasantness in their treasure box. We are all following their footsteps from the day we were born and we will continue to follow till the end. Let's fill our treasure boxes with pleasantness!

 Jaya Sonkar MD MPH 5/4/2023

 ©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023 

 A song dedicated to all the elderly love birds! Please click on the link below to listen. Stay tuned! https://www.spreaker.com/episode/53747096

Are you too proud of being too good?

Are you too proud of being too good?

"Neki Kar Dariya Mein Daal"

Its a very good mantra to stay happy

Love without attachment

Live without limitations

Express without fear

Be good and do good without expectation of any reciprocation

Are you too proud of being too good? 

It is really good to be good, be helpful to others, and be thoughtful and empathetic,..... as long as there is no expectation attached.

Am I good?

I am just a human. It's for others to decide if they perceive me as good or not.

Do I have expectations?

If I am a human and haven't evolved to the level of God, Yes I do have expectations. But, I have learned to manage them and I don't like to allow anyone else to make me sad by not doing what I wanted them to do. Because, if I wanted them to do what they didn't want to do for me, then I am not good anymore. 

Should I become altruistic?

Not if I have worldly responsibilities. I took on this life for a purpose and fulfilling that task is my utmost duty. Once I complete that, only then do I earn the right to be altruistic, in which case I can give the 5 elements back which can be altruistically brought to use by recycling and provide to other lives. 

I once was a victim of believing that I was too good only to realize later that that goodness might have been a torture of the other. And then the reform started. 

Now if I am good and I have expectations, I let myself know that I am a human and am working my way up the spiritual ladder and haven't reached there yet.

If I am good to someone and that goodness actually brings joy to the other without me having any expectation from the other to reciprocate, then I actually feel proud of myself of making good use of the body my life has gotten for this period of time. 

If one is good to someone and if one does something for the other because it gives one joy, then that act is very good. However, It must be kept in mind, that the goodness may not be perceived as goodness by the other, especially if that person is expected to reciprocate because that reciprocation may be difficult for the other person due to different circumstances and also that reciprocation may not be joyful to that person.

When you do something with an expectation, then that is a transaction. Oftentimes people say, "I did so much for the other but that other did not do this for me". 

The question is was it discussed beforehand that a reciprocation or a return was expected or was it implied? If yes, then yes that is a breach of an unsaid contract. But if it was not discussed or if there was no clarification of such an understanding, then it is not right to blame the other person for not being good in return.

It is also not uncommon to come across this phrase, "I did so much and am the reason behind his or her success but that person was so thankless." Everyone is indebted to something or the other, to someone or the other from the moment born. Parents, siblings, teachers, friends, circumstances, employers, peers,  strangers, enemies, everyone plays a role in carving an individual. So certainly, one has a tremendous role in the journey of a lot of people and one owes a lot to others for making their journey and learning possible. 

Gratitude is not taken, it is given. It is up to the recipient whether or not to feel grateful. If the other person doesn't feel it from within, then the person should rethink the expectation. 

To stay happy, one should only do what one is capable of offering without an expectation of any return. Anything that imposes a task of reciprocation on the other where the other is not nearly as joyful as the one who does the act of kindness, brings pain to the other. And that doesn't necessarily mean that that other person is not good. It just means that the other person's circumstances and feelings do not give them the same joy in reciprocating.

This act of goodness is separate from a business where everything is transactional and a return is expected.

If one truly aspires to walk on the path of goodness, one should ask oneself the following questions:

If I do this, will I expect anything in return?

If I do this, will I be upset if I do not get a return?

If I do this, will it be an effort that will prevent me from being happy?

If I do this and expect something in return, will I be uncomfortable asking for a return or will it be unfair on my part on asking the other to do something in return?

If the answer is Yes to any of the above, then one should not do that thing until one is ready from within to do that and act selflessly as a joy.

Of course, getting a reciprocation or recognition or acknowledgment brings joy but one should not depend on others to bring joy to one. The joy should come from within .

The goal is finding inner joy and being in control. Do what brings joy from within and not let our joy depend on others' actions.

And we must always remember, a positive energy from one to the other will either become kinetic positive energy and be paid forward if not returned or it will become a potential energy which may become kinetic sometime in the future.  And it is said, "What goes around comes around."

Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

4/23/23

©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023

My first day at Jaipuria!

It was a pleasant morning. My mom hugged me and wished me well. I went to the bus stop with my dad, my elder brother, and my sister and waited for the bus excitedly. This was my destination. I had always wanted to go to Jaipuria. 

Yes, going to Jaipuria was my dream which came true.

A year ago, I used to go to another elementary school and I always saw my brother and sister going together to Jaipuria. I wanted to join them as soon as I grew old enough.

I was told, growing older wasn't enough and that we needed to pass a very tough entrance test. They ask over 40 questions in 5 minutes and there are several rounds of it. They tested Hindi, English, Math, Memory, etiquette, social skills, etc

My parents taught me well, especially my mom. I remember doing grammar for 10th standard with my mom before the entrance test and yes I topped it with a good lead. 

It was published. My relatives from far off came to congratulate me. One of my mamaji gave me INR 100 which was a lot at that time.

I felt really good. All the recognition was a bonus. For me, my dream of going to Jaipuria with my bhaiya and didi was the biggest which got fulfilled.

I still remember Mrs. Lila Chnadra waving from the window to my parents and she gave me a very warm welcome on the bus. She used to be my bhaiya's teacher and had seen me before.

During the lunch break, my brother came and took me to the canteen and bought me 2 samosas. I was mesmerized by how nice and big this school was as compared to my previous kids' school and how yummy the samosa was. He then gently escorted me back to my class. He was 5 yrs elder than me so I walked with air that such a senior person is my brother :)

Still remember buying stickers and pens from stationary and those fun stationary shop and canteen visits with friends.

The teachers were motivating. Starting from Mrs. Indraramakrishnan, and Mrs. Aloma Das, to Ms. N Kapoor, Ms. Gauri Bhushan, Mrs. Usha Sinha, Mrs. Indu Sharma, Mrs. Bhagoliwal, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Menon, Mrs. Lal, Mrs. Arora and other honorable teachers, our music and art department, activities, and a lot more.

Certainly, the best in Kanpur. Once in the school, there was no other way but to go higher.

And thereon, it was a journey till the end of the 12th standard. Amazing teachers, great peers and friends, and a steep learning curve. 

At that time, during the matches, we used to cheer our sports team as,

'Wherever we go, people wanna know, Who we are, So we say,

We are the Jaipurians, are mighty mighty Jaiprurians."

All I have to say is that this slogan is so true!!!

Proud to be a Jaipurian!!!

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

3/29/2023

©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023

It's all about perspective

It's all about perspective!

Everything is relative.

Good or bad

Near or Far

Slow or fast

Future or past

It's all about perspective!

A plane is the fastest among most of the vehicles

When we fly, it doesn't feel fast. In fact, sometimes it feels slow. You see a light that's far off and it moves very slowly towards that.

Is it really moving slowly?

Well, objectively, if we go by the speed, it is going fast. But the speed with which it is approaching that light doesn't feel much. That's because the proportion of distance that it covers is probably not a large proportion.

Similarly, when we are engaged and really enjoy what we are doing or if we are busy, time goes so fast as if a day passed just with a wink of an eye.

But if we are sad, in pain or just unhappy, the time feels very long. 

Someone might feel that the town which is a 100 miles away, is far. The other person drives a 100 miles each way to and back from work. Some other person drives 500 miles a day and some even more. 

What's near to one could be far to the other.

We have an understanding of good and bad, right and wrong and a general notion of good is something that doesn't harm or brings joy.

However, there is an interesting twist to it.

What's good to one might be bad to the other.

Someone might say that giving candy to a child is good and it brings cheer. The other would say it can rot the teeth. 

Someone may say, it's good to reward. The others may say it's better to punish. Another might say rewards may make it too easy. Yet another could say punishment can demotivate people.

Everyone can choose to see the glass half full or half empty . The volume of the glass won't change. The perspective can make a remarkable difference and can result in very different outcomes.

If we really enjoy what we are doing and count the things that we want to do and spin it to always land on a positive perspective,  life is really short and very precious and full of tremendous joy.

Now, you may like this article or you may not.

In the end, it's all about perspective!

Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

3/10/2023

©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023

Holy Holi!

Holi ka tyohaar

Rangon ki Bharmar

Toliyan zordar

Koi na bair, sirf Pyar

Holi khushiyan ka tyohaar

Khushiyan ka tyohaar

Bacche pichkari chalaye

Maayein gujhiya banayein

Ghar aaangan sajayein

Papa sangat Ghar le aayein

Mil ke Holi manayein

Holi rang sajayein

Hiranyakahsyap ya prahlad

Har yug mein inke Pratap

Har dharma mein inke avtaar

Bhakti koi bhi Karein aap

Ya padhein koi bhi kitaab

Satya, ahinsa, prem ke hi path

Holi bhulaye Sab santaap

Mil ke Holi manayein sabhi aaj!

Holi hai!

Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

3.10.2023

©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023

kya dekha Kya paya

Jab chand aaya

Chandni se mulaakaat hui

Jab baadal aaya

Bheeni si barsaat hui

Jab Mor aaya

Manmohak rang aur nritya ka darshan hua

Jab Hiran aaya

To ankhon ko saundarya ka Anubhav hua

Jab Suraj aaya

To Roshni se parichaya Karaya

Jab taare aaye

To Luka chhupi ka Anand aaya

Jab kohra aaya

To sabkuch aakhon se ojhal paya

Jab andhera aaya

To andhkar mein anutha gyan paaya

Kuch anokha dekha aur apnaya

Man ki ankhon ko ankhon se bhi teevra paya

Chetan man seema se pare hai

Chetna pe Ankush paya

Avchetan man Jo soya tha

Chetan ne avchetan jagaya

'Main' kaun hoon

Ek prashna man mein aaya

Is kathin prashna ka

Uttar bhi atyant kathin paya

Har mod pe

Ek naye main ko paya

Ek gehen adhyayan

Mein apne man me jhanka

Dekha ki Kya hai

Jiske liye main yahan aaya

Jaana ki Raah bana ke aaye the

Rah PE chalte Jaana hai

Manzil to sabki ek din ayegi

Sirf karma karte Jaana hai

Jab Ankhmein moondi

To anant Kal dikhaya

Na Adi hai na ant hai

Anant brahmand sajaya

Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

3/1/2023

©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023

The Gurukul Union

"The Gurukul Union"

"Those who don't learn from history are bound to repeat it."

Education and financial independence is the answer to most of the adverse social determinants of health.

In these times, there are still places where parents might not be able to afford schooling for their children. In such scenarios, it heavily depends on the quality of the public school system, how it would impact a country's future.

We are responsible for the kind of world our future generations will live in.

We can help by making efforts to give them a good life just how some of our great ancestors did to give us a good life.

We need to come together and join hands in educating and preparing our future generations to stand up for themselves.

It's a big goal. And we need big efforts.

Dream big, aim big and achieve big. Let's go Crimson!

That's what I learned at the Harvard University School of Public Health! And it works!

Please sign up for volunteering at the The Gurukul Union.

The pilot program consists of simple goals.

Please gather 1-5 underprivileged children and please make sure to have at least equal number of girls as boys if not more. 

Please donate 1-5 hours per week of your time to teach them the basics of English, Maths and Science and also how to access the computers if possible.

Please volunteer to create test papers and grade.

No child fails. They learn at their pace. The faster they learn, the faster they level up.

We aim to create a cooperative environment where kids don't compete with each other, instead they complement each other.

Please sign up if you would be able to and willing to donate 1 or more of your hour a week to educate 1 or more underprivileged children in your neighborhood.

Please sign up if you are interested in learning about health and aging. The only payback that is requested is that you teach the same to the underprivileged children.

Please sign up your name and email address below if you are willing to volunteer your time to teach underprivileged children.

Thank you,

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH 

2/23/2023

©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023

Womanhood

Womanhood!

A beautiful princess is born

Star of everyone's eyes

She is delicate as a feather

Yet the ruler of mankind

She needs to be cared for

Because she nurtures life

She is the very essence

She is what makes it alive

Should she be proud 

Should she be scared

Should she be humble

Should she be brave

She is pretty if obedient

She is ugly if rebel

She is desirable if mute

She is hideous when voices

She is herself

Let her be

She cares for her own

Opinion of herself

She should stand

She should speak

She should salute

She should lead 

She is the answer

She is the path

The path is tough

The road is rough

She should have courage

She should have strength

She should be proud 

Of her womanhood.

Some years ago, some gentleman asked me , what do I think about condition of women.

The condition of woman could be good or bad. It depends on how strong she is mentally, physically, socially, financially and above all spiritually.

Are men and women equal?

Absolutely not.

Do they both have brains?

Absolutely yes.

Do they both have equal strength?

Absolutely not

Can they both move mountains?

Absolutely yes

Are they both important

Absolutely yes

Are they both needed for life

Absolutely yes

Do they both have parents

Absolutely yes

Do they both have families

Absolutely yes

Do they both have responsibilities

Absolutely yes

Should they both learn

Absolutely yes

Should they both earn

Absolutely yes

Should they both honor their elders

Absolutely yes

Should they both carry the torch for their ancestors

Absolutely yes

Could they both give birth

Hasn't been achieved until now

Do we need new lives

Absolutely yes

If not abundant, at least enough to continue mankind

Should the woman work

Absolutely yes

Should the woman be given rest when she is bringing a life to the world

Absolutely yes

Should she be penalized for doing so

Absolutely not

Should she be honored for taking the time to nurture a little being

Absolutely yes

Should she be respected for doing so

Absolutely yes

Should she be using this as an excuse to not work

Absolutely not

Should she take care of her parents

Absolutely yes

Should she take care of elderly in laws

Absolutely yes

Should she dump her parents

Absolutely not

Should she allow anyone to dishonor her origin

Absolutely not

Should she put anyone else's parents before hers

Absolutely not

Should she respect and care for all elderly whether parents or not

Absolutely yes

Should HE respect and care for all elderly whether parents or not

Absolutely yes

Should he take care of elderly in laws

Absolutely yes

Should he dump his parents

Absolutely not

Should HE feel superior because of muscle

Absolutely not

Should HE provide care with that muscle

Absolutely yes

Should she misuse that muscle

Absolutely not

Should she honor that care

Absolutely yes

Is dowry a good thing

Absolutely not

Are wedding gifts from everyone good

Absolutely yes 

As it helps two people to come together 

Create a family and provide a little one 

The beautiful home

Growth of children is not just parents responsibility

Its said that it takes a village to grow a child

It actually takes a whole world to raise a child

Should she depend on her brother to take care of those who brought her to life

Absolutely not

Should he depend on his sister to take care of those who brought him to life

Absolutely not

Should HE depend on his wife to take care of those who brought him to life

Absolutely not

Should she be able to work and live her dreams

Absolutely yes

Should she stand up for herself

Absolutely yes

Should this thought that a good daughter in law is someone who let's her parents be humiliated and dishonored and allows herself to be disrespected , stays quiet and gives into everything good or bad, compromises her respect, her wishes and her dreams to put her Spouse 's first, is a well cultured woman , correct?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Is she a human

Absolutely yes

Should she live on her own terms

Absolutely yes

Should she hold her head high

Absolutely yes

Should she be a rebel

Hope it's never needed

Should she be kind

Absolutely yes

Should she be learned

Absolutely yes

Should she be educated

Absolutely yes

Should she be nurtured

Absolutely yes

Should she nurture others

Absolutely yes

Are men and women equal

Absolutely not

Both are meant for different purposes 

When it comes to bringing a life

But are they equal otherwise

Let me think...

They both have emotions

Absolutely yes

They both have a mind

Absolutely yes

They both have bodies

Absolutely yes

Should they both be given an equal opportunity to live a full life

Absolutely yes

Women should stop taking pride on how well they were able to abandon their roots to grow into a new soil.

They need to make sure , they are proud of their roots and nurture them, and honor the soil they came from and grow into such a big tree and spread the prosperity to whichever soil they reach!

Are women precious

Absolutely yes

Are men precious

Absolutely yes

It took one Adam and one Eve to make a wonder possible. Look at it, the mountains are moved, the oceans are churned, the stars are reached, and everything that is today became possible.

So both are EQUALLY precious and both should have equal rights to prosper, flourish and LIVE the life to the fullest!

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

2/20/2023

©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

This Valentine's, please remember to look in the mirror and say to your beautiful selves,

'Happy Valentines to me!
Thanks to this body for making this life experience possible.'

Isn't it amazing

To have eyes to see
To have ears to hear
To have buds to taste
To have a sense of smell
To have skin to feel
To have hands to work
To have legs to walk
To have a heart to pump
To have a kidney to cleanse
To have a stomach to digest
To have a liver, a pancreas, a spleen
To have a brain to think
To have so many enormous phenomenon
To make every single second of life possible

Thank God for this mundane body
Which made this eternal life possible
Which let it live what it came for
And feel what it desired
And experience all that it needed.

Ultimately what stays from the beginning to the end?

It our own body, whether or not it has all organs, its our own body that stays with us from the beginning till the end of this one particular chapter of eternal life.

We lose a lot of loved ones, or not so loved ones. Every loss brings a big lesson and it makes us realize that the best companion is our own body who will not leave until the life itself leaves it.

We must be thankful to our own body as it is that one best attire that we always wear and without which nothing is possible in this life.

It is this body which gave us everything in this life and we need to give it back by looking in the mirror and telling it,

' You are awesome, my body!

Thank you for all the experiences, learnings and evolution that this soul has achieved through you.

You even allow me to give to the people who I love, a piece of happiness while they are with me.

I don't need anyone but you to feel complete and feel happy. "

People who love us have similar tendencies as us.
People who don't love us have different tendencies from us.

It's as simple as this.

We need to find our color and gel with it. But once one of the color fades, we should remember to keep our color, try to give the color but not fade away ourselves.

We are complete in ourselves.
We have everything to experience the life.

It is very well said by someone:

What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!

All experiences in life are important and if we have survived those, it is for a reason and that reason is to come out stronger and level up to the next challenge.

Stay strong and live your life to the fullest.

We may want to spend time with our loved ones but we don't need anyone to experience and lead the life successfully as long as we become wiser at every step!

Love is not in a person, love is in the air. Feel it, embrace it and cherish it!

Live, love and laugh!
Happy Valentines Day to all!

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH
2/11/2023
©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023

A Dream Life

A dream life!

If you think about it, this moment that we are living now, will become a dream very soon. A good or a bad dream depending on if the present moment is pleasant or painful.

Acceptance is the key to happiness.

It's impossible to change the present. We have a whole lot of scope to change our future but the present is happening and is inevitable.

If this present is unpleasant and we aren't able to accept it, it becomes painful.

If the present is pleasant and it passes and never returns and we want to relive, it becomes painful.

If we are able to accept the present, the way it is and work on shaping the future the way we want it to be, it becomes bearable and perhaps even pleasant.

Oftentimes, the mental pain is only until a 100% acceptance of the present is achieved.

The sooner one accepts and moves on, the happier one could be.

Accepting the present doesn't mean accepting the miseries or joys, it just means , accepting it as is because it is what it is.

The attitude that its going to be what one wants it to be, can fill the present with energy. 

And that energy can result in happiness.

The entire life keeps reforming.

The focus should be on making the next moment a better moment while relishing every ounce of this present moment.

This present moment will pass soon and will feel like a dream.

It's in the memories and may be in the pictures and videos but not in reality. The present moment will become a virtual world soon.

So, we are living a dream at all times.

We just need to keep working on feeling pleasant and calm with every dream and accept the way it is.

It doesn't matter what others think and say about one's present experience. It's about giving oneself own space without feeling guilty or great and just feel one's own presence and one's own experience and be oneself and be one with the universe with a 100% acceptance and awareness.

This present will pass in less than a second and will become virtual reality or a dream forever.

After all, it's a dream life! One can turn it whichever way one wants it to be. A pleasant one or a nightmare!

And if one has a choice, shouldn't it be a good one!

Live a dream life!

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

1.18.2023

©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar  2023