by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Bangalore, Nov 27:  No person is born a criminal, a saint or a tyrant. They are all made by circumstances.

The classic example is Dr. Basavaraj, MBBS, MS, FMAS, a surgeon and inmate at the Parappana Agrahara jail here.

The reason for his landing in the jail has taken the back seat. Now, he is adored by 4,900 inmates of the jail and staff. He attends to patients in the jail round-the-clock, be it for simple ailments like cold and fever or even surgeries.

Thanks to Basavaraj, the minor operation theatre in the jail is bustling with activity now. The inmates need not be shifted to Bowring or Victoria Hospital for minor surgeries as Dr. Basavaraj is ever-ready with the scalpel.

Basavaraj, who is undergoing sentence for the last 18 months has provided treatment for about thousand inmates and performed surgeries on over hundred patients. He is so adept in medicine and surgery, even jail officers receive treatment from him for various ailments instead of going to some other doctor.

Background

Basavaraj hails from Lakkihalli of Hosadurga taluk in Chitradurga district. After schooling in his village, he studied PUC in Tumkur, MBBS in Davanagere, MS from Bangalore Medical College and FMAS from Delhi. Acclaimed as a super speciality doctor, Basavaraj could have etched a career in Newzealand or Britain, but chose to serve in District Hospital in Chitradurga.

He got married when he was 29 and the worst-ever thing happend within four months. His wife committed suicide and Basavaraj was found guilty of harassment for dowry. The High court sentenced him for seven years in prison. Initially, he was lodged in Chitradurga jail. Based on his behaviour, knowledge and medical skills, the jail officers decided to shift him to the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, where he has today become the most loved one for the last 18 months.

Able hand

Surprisingly, the Chief Health Officer of Parappana Agrahara Jail, Dr. Vijayakumar was Dr. Basavaraj's student. When Vijayakumar was a house-surgeon in Bangalore Medical College, Basavaraj, doing MS there was teaching also. Having known his skills, Vijayakumar says "Basavaraj is a great helping hand in the jail hospital and is a very good surgeon."

Night shift

Owing to shortage of doctors, there was none in night shifts. Basavaraj has filled the void and the inmates are relieved. He treats about 20 patients every night, says Vijayakumar.

Provides peace

"I am bestowed with talent. By treating patients, I try to forget my worries. I do not want to waste my knowledge of medicine" says Basavaraj. If he is released, he can render better service to the society as there is a dearth of dedicated doctors.