The year we became stronger

When COVID-19 first gripped India, Dr Ananya was a resident at a private hospital away from home, and like all other doctors, she geared up for what was coming.

“Working multiple shifts without a break is what it had come to.” Donned in bulky PPE kits, she’d work around the clock and courageously fulfill her duty. “Masks and gloves became my new skin,”

But when two of her housemates tested positive, Ananya was scared. “Just don't let me die, God. I will take care of the rest!" she prayed. And even though she was worried sick, the next morning saw her return to the hospital the same commitment- to save lives!

Post that, Ananya was posted in the gynecology wing that would be open 24/7. Once, she attended to a COVID-positive pregnant lady whose family didn’t believe her baby would survive. “You both would be absolutely fine,” assured Ananya. The lady, with tears in her eyes said, “May God fulfill all your desires.” Hearing her say those words was profound for Ananya.

A couple of weeks later, she got to go home and the welcome she received was overwhelming. “That day, seeing all their love, I cried like I’d never before.” said Ananya. And when she returned to the hospital after that, she did so with a stronger resolve.

But tragedy struck when the second wave hit and Ananya’s entire family tested positive- right from her parents to her grandparents.

“There I was, treating others but away from my own family when they needed me the most. I felt helpless.” sighed Ananya. Her breaking point came when she lost her grandfather to Covid. “I didn’t even get to say bye.” quivered Ananya. But even though she had suffered a personal loss, Ananya showed up to work the next day. “People needed me, I had to keep going.”

She worked through her grief, she worked through an infection that led to a swollen leg; but she never took an off. “Nothing else mattered at that point. I was serving a much bigger purpose, I still am. And I won’t rest until I make sure all my patients return home safe.”

Mahindra salutes the challenger spirit of people like Ananya. She is the living embodiment of India’s strength when faced with the seemingly unsurmountable. We celebrate her and others like her. #TogetherWeRise.