Dr Shailesh Y ACHARYA responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire.
Why and how did you think of becoming a doctor?
I read an article related to Ayurveda, in a local newspaper, when I was in high school. I just wanted to be an Ayurveda physician, ever since — or, right from the word go.
What made you think of, study and specialise in the system of medicine you now practice?
It was sheer destiny, I reckon, that I specialised in kayachikitsa, one of the ashta angas of Ayurveda. It is, interestingly, or predictably, my forte and strength today.
What has been your personal and professional experience as a doctor?
This has been either way, and in more ways than one, a proud, also fulfilling feeling — helping and healing patients, and also changing their lives, with and through Ayurveda.
What unique and special skills you think you have that has made the big difference for your patients?
I am a patient listener. Good listening skills are a prerequisite for any physician, in any field, or speciality, to succeed. Well, the fact also is — my patients tell me that I’m endowed with natural, healing hands. I feel truly humbled and honoured.
What is your best definition of optimal wellness and why?
A calm, stress-free mind is indispensable for optimal wellness — call it mind-body, or body-mind wellness, or what you may.
Your ‘best’ case?
There are many of them. I feel it’d not be a good idea to ‘rate’ them on a scale of 1 to 10, and so on, because it’s, again, not the right thing to do too — because each of them in their own way would be my ‘best’ case, in one way, or the other.
Your ‘not-so-good’ case?
This was, undoubtedly, an unknown case of myocardial infarction [MI] — or, ‘heart attack,’ in colloquial lingo, caused by decreased, or complete cessation of blood flow to a portion of the myocardium, the muscular tissue of the heart — I encountered.
What appeals to you the most?
Efficient handling of medical emergencies.
What annoys you the most?
Patients who don’t follow their doctors’ instructions, or think they can manage with self-treatment — by ‘researching’ via Google.
Your favourite book?
My Clinical Class Book.
Your favourite joke?
Kidney yaak adav sosakallana [Why do we have kidneys? To use them as a filter, sieve].
Your favourite song?
Oh, there are hundreds of them — it’d be just too difficult a task to list a handful.
Your favourite movie?
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar [1992; Aamir Khan, Ayesha Jhulka, Kulbhushan Karbhanda, Deepak Tijori et al/Mansoor Khan/Jatin-Lalit].
Your favourite TV, Netflix show?
There are more than just a few — I’d not like to ‘rate’ them [again].
Your other interests, or hobbies?
Writing, singing, and organic farming.
Your goal in life?
Helping my patients to achieve good health and well-being and taking my skills to the next level, at every step of the way — along with a handful of my own personal dreams and goals — in the best manner possible.
