I want to be a doctor when I grow up

For the future Dr. Vedika..... with love from Pradnya aunty.

Respected teachers, guests and my dear friends,

I am Vedika Shahane from std IV - A and one day in future I want to be Dr. Vedika.

Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? Well that can’t be a good enough reason to be a doctor. Thankfully, it isn’t. Ever since I can remember, I have heard that our human body is a complex and intelligent machine. A miracle of nature. What could be more interesting that studying this miracle and discovering how it works?

Science has always been my favourite subject. It is as interesting as it is educational. My pursuit of a medical degree will help me to study my favourite subject while also preparing me for my future profession.

Being a doctor will be hard work. I understand that getting a college degree will only be the beginning. Being a doctor will mean that I have to use all my knowledge and skill to help my patients. I will have to work long hours to gain real experience. Working with patients and helping them get better will give me true satisfaction of having put my education to good use. I will treat all patients irrespective of their caste, class and nationality.

Hard work, dedication and studying will ensure that I realise my dream of becoming a doctor. But I think what will really help me shine as a medical professional is “empathy” and a “true spirit of service”.

As children, are we impressed by the degrees hanging on the walls at the doctor’s office? No, of course not.  I don’t think we even notice them. We like those doctors who have a kind face, a soothing touch and those who always smile. I want to be a doctor that makes her patient feel better, not just physically. But by lifting their spirits and reassuring them.

Maybe I am too young to understand the nitty-gritties of being a doctor. But I understand that our country needs more doctors. With high levels of malnutrition, sanitation problems, poverty and lack of basic medical facilities, medical professionals are the need of the day.

I recently read about Dr. Prakash Amte, who left the comforts of city life after getting a medical degree and settled with his family in a tribal area called Hemalkasa in Maharashtra. He served the tribals in spite of lack of basic amenities of water, electricity and even beds or a shelter for a clinic. After years of hardships, he built a hospital and today treats patients and educates the tribals for a better tomorrow. He is an inspiration to many youngsters like me.

Being a doctor will mean treating illness, curing diseases, educating people and striving to make our country a healthy nation. I look forward to this challenge and hope to make a positive difference to lives of people as doctor.

Thank-you.