Dr Namitha RAJENDRAN P C responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire.
Why and how did you think of becoming a doctor?
When I was a child my mother often took me to a renowned homeopath, Dr Karthiyayini Sreedharan, in Bangalore [now Bengaluru], for growth-related health issues. The good doctor’s compassion, juxtaposed by a barrage of advice about my well-being, I thought, struck the right chord in me. The spectacle of a perpetual crowd at her clinic, what with patients visiting from others states as also different backgrounds, waiting to consult, was a curious thing for me. Dr Sreedharan was known for impressive ‘cure rate,’ as well as natural compassion and consummate grace. I always thought that she was the only medical professional who actually gave importance to my point-of-view too. Years later, I learned that this facet was the crux of homoeopathic tenet — treating the patient, and just not the illness is isolation.
What made you think of, study and specialise in the system of medicine you now practice?
I literally grew up with homeopathy. My grandfather dispensed homeopathic remedies from his medicine kit for simple ailments, viz., cold, cough, body aches and pains for the family. What’s more, the improvement in my own condition and my mother’s long-standing asthma — following Dr Sreedharan’s treatment — intrigued me. I was enormously keen to learn homeopathy for myself. Agreed, that, I took the competitive exams for admission into conventional medical institutions, but my mind was captivated with homeopathy. Holistic homeopathy was, doubtless, my inner call.
What has been your personal and professional experience as a doctor?
I am a believer in destiny. It was this belief that led me to the homeopathic path for a higher purpose. I’m empathetic by nature too. I’ve always instinctively felt the need to take care of people around me. Professionally, I now feel, after several years of homeopathic practice, that I am much better equipped than ever before to extending the best there is in homeopathy to every patient I see.
What unique and special skills do you think you have that has made the big difference for your patients?
Being non-judgemental, empathetic, compassionate and perceptive, are qualities that are essential to be a healer. Picture this — in this age of corporate healthcare, people need someone who will listen to them patiently and be genuinely concerned about their health condition.
What is your best definition of optimal wellness?
Optimal wellness is the state of balance between the body, mind and spirit of the individual. This is essentially a person-centric concept of health — one that invests in one’s growth and peak well-being, and not the absence of overt, or covert, symptoms of illness alone.
Your ‘best’ case?
It was a case of chronic idiopathic urticaria. The patient had suffered for years and had obviously tried every form of treatment available, including homeopathy. It took eight months of homeopathic treatment, under my professional guidance, for him to be symptom-free.
Your ‘not-so-good’ case?
This was a case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The patient was given just a few weeks to live, but with homeopathic treatment we were able to prolong his life and improve his blood counts substantially. He went on to live well for more than a few months, but we lost touch, as the family moved to another state, and did not unfortunately follow-up with us.
What appeals to you the most?
Compassion.
What annoys you the most?
Disrespect.
Your favourite book?
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, and The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. Paulo Coelho is, by far, one of my favourite authors.
Your favourite joke?
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Weekend.
Weekend who?
Weekend do anything we want!
Your favourite song?
I love songs from every genre — classical, pop, jazz, rock, Bollywood and regional film songs. I just love all the songs of The Sound of Music [1965], starring Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews.
Your favourite movie?
The Pursuit of Happyness [2006], a touching storyline — a movie about never giving up and being true to oneself.
Your favourite TV, Netflix show?
I recently watched Mandalorian, a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. I just loved it. I am currently glued to The Lord of the Rings-inspired series, The Rings of Power.
Your other interests, or hobbies?
Baking, new cuisine, exploring DIY on Pinterest, and reading.
Your goal in life?
To be the best I can be — every day.
