25 years of AIIMS... Million moments of happiness.

31^st July 1988 was the day when life ended – or rather life as I knew it, ended. Life ended and flight began. Flying in the skies, over the clouds, being one among the stars. 

Because 31^st July 1988 was the day when I stopped singing ‘Its an ordinary world’. After that I was singing ‘You’re my star’ (to myself) everyday. It was the last day of being ordinary.

Because I stepped into AIIMS on 1^st August 1988 as a student. 

People say ‘they haven’t looked back since’. I wonder what there was to look back anyway. Everything began from that moment. I remember looking at the majestic building of AIIMS with awe in my eyes. No longer as an outsider. I remember thinking ‘This belongs to me, and I belong to this.’ I remember looking at the crowds of patients and attendants, the cars honking impatiently, the chaos. I remember walking through the research labs, knowing that I will carve my future here, brick by brick, stone by stone. 

Since that day, I have walked into AIIMS everyday of my life. Every morning I walk in here, and every morning I feel the same happiness, the same sense of belonging. I never tire of seeing the crowds, I am easy with my horn when I drive past the harried looking people, I don’t care if the campus is not beautiful. Because I know that extremely sick people come here to get treated, and everyone who is a part of AIIMS is overworked and is still working tirelessly. Research scientists at AIIMS have to continuously re-invent themselves, they can’t rest on past laurels. They have to keep pushing their limits, they have to keep proving themselves, constantly. Why ? Simply 'Because its AIIMS'.

I have laughed, cried, doubted, achieved, lived my entire life here, and not for one moment did I ever regret anything. Except one.   I remember once, when I decided to leave AIIMS and was driving to an unknown destination to give an interview for a job. It was early morning as I drove on the AIIMS flyover. Something made me look back, and I saw the majestic building look back at me. That was a timeless moment. A silent communication. At that moment, I knew I am not going anywhere. I got that job, but tore the appointment letter. I am meant to be here, I know it as certainly and unconsciously, as I know how to breathe.

Now after 25 years, I look back and get amazed at how much AIIMS has given me. Not just professionally, but also personally. I have made friends for a lifetime. I have found my mentor here. I found my life partner, and both my children took their first breath here. In my worst moments, I have walked in here, and forgotten all my pain, as I rolled up my sleeves and got down to work. 

Now here I am, every morning, I walk in here, with the same enthusiasm and energy as I did years ago when I first walked in here, and as I breathe in the air deeply.....I feel alive.