After finishing her bachelor’s degree in Ayurvedic medicine and surgery in early 2019, Khushali spent the rest of the year preparing for her Masters' degree entrance test. She was supposed to appear for her test in April this year but because of the lockdown, the tests were postponed.
Instead of seeing it as a setback in her road to the future, Khushali decided to make the most of her time– She volunteered to help the patients in the Covid ward.
‘I couldn't just sit at home while thousands were suffering; I knew that I had to lend a helping hand.’
Soon, she registered herself with the BMC as a volunteer– She was asked to stay in a hotel with other doctors. Khushali had never stayed away from her family before, so initially, it was very challenging for her. She'd be wearing her PPE for over 6 hours and eat the same food as the rest of the patients. But not once did she complain– she never let her family know about her working circumstances because she didn't want them to worry. The fear of contracting COVID was always there but Khushali put on a very brave face while interacting with other patients and doctors.
“I knew that volunteering would help me not only in my career but also my personal life. I knew it’d help me grow as a person”.
She stayed away from home for 6 months– Along with helping her patients heal, she’d prepare for her entrance tests post duty-time. And finally, in September, just after she finished her COVID duty, she appeared for her entrance tests.
“I didn’t lose hope throughout– I just stayed hopeful and focused on the road ahead. It was hard to balance both, but I just kept going. The experience has humbled me, made me independent and motivated me to work harder.’
In the future, she plans on starting her own Ayurvedic clinic and wants to volunteer as a doctor in the rural areas. ‘Earlier, I’d have never thought of going to the rural areas, but the pandemic has hugely influenced my life choices’.
Mahindra salutes the challenger spirit of front-line warriors like Khushali who put their own lives at risk to serve and protect others. #TogetherWeRise
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