I have always been inclined towards a social cause. The advice that was given by my father the day he admitted me in medical school was: “serve the poor, don’t convert your profession into a business, and offer free treatment to the underprivileged,” so I have been following that policy ever since.

I graduated from Jammu Medical College in 1978 with MBBS, MD (Anesthesiology). In 2006 I surrendered my anesthesiology profession and started giving my services to the underprivileged. I met the founder of DIR-I, Dr. Fredrick Shaw, who offered me to work here at this organization.

Our organization has proved successful because of our close monitoring and accountability, and the ability of staff from every level of our organization to go into the field to do the work and not just sit in an office or behind a desk somewhere. I put in the work to gain respect and win the hearts of the people in Janta Colony.

This project is a beautiful model for development because it employs local women from the slum, so it encourages women empowerment, as they gain respectable employment, an income to support their families, and an education. By educating one woman, you educate a community, so we prefer female employees. This project combines women empowerment, community building, and income generation, all while serving the health needs of the most vulnerable populations of this community.