Everything that happens is for a reason. Often we may not understand it at that point of time. But eventually, when we look back, we do get the answers.
As the curtains draw on yet another year, I can only feel grateful, thankful and blessed. Though I encountered one of my greatest losses in my life this year, yet I have come to terms with reality and acceptance of the inevitable. As I look back, the greatest void of my life occurred towards the end of this year. A part of me, my soul mate, my Cocker Spaniel , Rusty, all of 14 and a half years, crossed the Rainbow Bridge and graciously left his limited physical form, forever to become boundless, limitless and omnipresent everywhere. Rusty and I had a silent love affair over the years. I lived for him and he lived for me. There was no drama in this relationship, but just a quiet , subtle understanding of unconditional love between the two of us, without any expectations. Though he was generally in good health, I was aware that at this age , even the most trivial of triggers could become a major health event. My only wish was that when his time comes, I should be with him and he should be on my laps. And that is exactly how God decided to give him his final send off. Every end is but a new beginning. I no longer mourn his loss, but rather celebrate the life that he was. His omnipresence as my Guardian Angel now, is no longer a cause of separation, but a feeling of oneness with the whole.

The journey this year has been an unraveling of magic around me. Nothing surprises me anymore though. The reason is that I know that it’s a part of the grand scheme of things, and the scenes are playing one after the other just as I had desired to create it. The more I begin to appreciate, the better is my understanding.
1st January 2022 started with seeking blessings from the Lord Ganesha at Agyathuri Temple with my two close friends , Kaberee and Babita. A beautiful drive therafter towards Hajo and a roadside picnic amidst nature was the perfect setting for new beginnings. January also saw our AMC Batch get together at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary where we soaked our spirits in the wilderness for three days. Dance, music, great food, picnic on the banks of Brahmaputra and a jungle safari once again cemented our life long friendship forever.

Towards the later part of the month, we visited Manali where our son was staying. Kullu and Manali was something that I had always wanted to do, but had never happened. This winter was just the perfect fairy tale trip as we experienced a white winter wonderland in Manali with bouts of fresh snowfall during our stay. A visit to Hidimba Temple, Manu Temple, Old Manali, Vaishno Devi temple at Kullu, Gayatri Temple at Naggar, Roedrich’s home and museum, Naggar Castle, Manikaran, Solang Valley were few of the highlights of this fascinating trip. A snow trek on the road to Lamadugh was an experience of a lifetime.

The year 2022, also took me once again to Siliguri as an External Examiner, an experience that I often look forward to, as it gives me opportunity to stay in serene surroundings and also visit some beautiful places around, like Kurseong, Tindhariya and Rongtong. I also got a chance to make a quick trip to Shillong for a Conference where I was invited as a speaker. The next morning we took a trip to Laitlum Grand Canyon. Though I have been here many times, each visit displays a different kaleidoscope, as I remember how the clouds gently moved in, casting a magical veil over the majestic view leaving me spell bound.

Thereafter , in the month of May 2022, came the Calling. Yes, it was time for me to revisit Kedarnath Dham after 38 years. One of the most profound experiences was this journey with my 4 school friends to the abode of Lord Shiva to experience the ultimate union with the highest cosmic energies that I could have ever felt. The journey also took us through the holy banks of Ganga in Rishikesh, whose vibrations and subtle energies left us soaked in divine blissfulness.


June, my birthday month, was a treat in Cherrapunjee with my husband and brother-in-law, who had come visiting us all the way from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Two days of sheer bliss amidst the abundance of Nature, playing magic all around me, and some wonderful company with a story teller , was all that I needed as birthday gift.

Soon after, I got a calling this time from the Lord Jagannath in Puri. It was a conference in Bhubaneshwar which took me to Odisha, where I was invited as a guest speaker. The timing of my visit coincided with the famous Rath Yatra, where the Lord with His brother and sister, visit their Aunt at the Gundicha temple in Puri. So it was only natural for me to visit Puri after the conference and soak myself once again in sublime blissfulness. The power of these consecrated spaces is beyond description. This particular trip also gave me the opportunity to visit the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneshwar, Udaygiri, Kandhagiri and of course the Sun Temple at Konark . I couldn’t have asked for more. The Odisha trip would not be complete without a trip to the famous Chilka Lake, and to watch the River Dolphins in the middle of the Sea. These amazing creations of Nature truly leave me in wonder.


Thereafter, in July itself was a quick trip to Chennai. One full week of total unwinding and relaxation by the sea, was enough to rejuvenate and recharge me. Being an ocean person , the majestic sea is my elixir of life. The therapeutic effect it can have on my physical, mental , emotional and energy levels is significantly profound and deep.

The later part of the year took me to Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh , another hidden paradise of our country. A haven of Peace and tranquility, with Zen gardens and water bodies, Namsai also hosts the largest Buddha Statue made of bamboo located at its meditation centre. The architecture here is in quintessential Burmese style and the Golden pagoda has a distinctive touch of Soth East Asian buddhist architecture. Built by over 300 architects and skilled masons from Myanmar, it is endowed with Buddhist relics from India, Thailand and Myanmar. Here it is the language of Silence that is spoken. The Water element is a powerful energy force that is worshipped here.

In November, it was my proud privilege to attend the historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations of my Alma mater, Assam Medical College. It was indeed a surreal experience to be a part of this iconic moment. It has indeed been an incredible journey for each one of us, and we owe it to our alma mater for nurturing us with scientific wisdom and a compassionate heart. We are what we are, because of the foundations that took its roots in this very Institution. The grand Platinum Jubilee celebrations which saw the presence of thousands of alumni from all across the globe, was the most befitting way to salute our glorious Institution.

Come December, and its time to draw the curtains on the year 2022. The Year End Review on Lung Cancer was held in Mumbai and I was humbled to be invited as a Guest Speaker/Panelist and share knowledge amidst a host of illustrious luminaries and experts. It was also an opportunity to capture a slice of Mumbai once again , as this was a place where I had lived almost five decades ago and went to primary school too. An early morning walk on Juhu beach, a visit to ISKCON temple and the Mukteshwar temple, and an evening visit to Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Swami Narayan Temple and the Mahalaxmi temple all felt too good to be true. On the last evening, I chose to watch the sunset on Marine Drive, have a taste of Iranian Tea at Sassanian and a sandwich ice cream at the famous Rustam’s. A ride on the local train from Churchgate to Andheri was a perfect ending to a fulfilling trip.

We chose to spend a quiet Christmas and also my son’s birthday in faraway Tura, where the only sounds that one could hear are the chimes of the church bells, the chirping of the birds, the occasional bark of a dog, and somewhere, the melodious Christmas carols playing softly . Maybe we also needed some sort of a closure on Rusty, as we visited our family friend’s lovely home, from whom we had actually got Rusty 14 and half years ago. We met Rusty’s nephew, Leo, a frisky 5 month old pup, who shared very similar characteristics and traits just like Rusty. Spending a day with Leo, reminded us that it’s time to move on in life.

It was a time to reflect, introspect and at the same time celebrate the beautiful memories that Rusty gave us, & the universal feelings of love, joy, compassion, peace, friendship, grace and forgiveness. I carry no baggage as I move on. And on this very note, as we are on the cusp of the unfolding of another new chapter, we choose to welcome the New Year 2023, embracing her with warmth and love. That is what humanity needs at this point. We must rise above our limited identitites, and understand the unifying laws of life, which do not have demarcations and boundaries.
On a personal note, I am grateful to have my family around me. Both my children who otherwise live faraway, have been able to come home on and off , and spend some quality time at home through the year. My own brother and sister could also visit us after many years, from Delhi, and we have been able to spend some good times together too.
On a professional note, I am glad to see my Department of Medical Oncology grow gradually from infancy, and render a much needed service to the cancer patients of the North East. From patient care, research, academics and teaching, we have evolved in all the dimensions in the past few years. It is extremely gratifying to know that patients are satisfied with the care that we provide. Despite the challenges, I am grateful that we are able to provide the standard of care as per international guidelines and protocols for all our cancer patients. It is truly uplifting to see that my junior was able to present his research paper done under my guidance at an international platform in Singapore at the ESMO Asia Congress 2022 . When work from North East India is recognized and projected internationally, it is a proud moment for us. We also were able to have an original research paper published in a reputed Oncology journal . Our Fellowship examination was also conducted successfully and satisfactorily. We believe in building our own human resources for the long term benefit of the state of Assam.

I couldn’t have asked for more from 2022, and am so thankful and grateful. My cup is full to the brim and overflowing. I look forward to embracing the New Year 2023 with open arms as I know that the only way ahead is forward. I believe in the power of my ability to carve and create my own destiny exactly the way I want. At the same time, I believe in the power of Divine Grace which can only enhance my abilities and align my desires with the forces that need to unite and intersect, so as to design and craft the life that I choose to create, in this cosmic drama. Each of us has this power bestowed upon us. Whether we choose to live in an auto-pilot mode, or decide to live consciously, is the question.
As Carl Jung had beautifully put it across- “What you are consciously creating is Destiny. What you are unconsciously creating is Fate. Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it Fate.”
Life is but a chapter in a book. Chapter 2022 has come to a closure, but it is me, who still holds the pen to write Chapter 2023.
As Rusty watches over his dear family from his Doggy Heaven, I know that he is our Guardian Angel, protecting us from above, and shall always be a guiding light showing us the way forward. As we welcome and embrace the new beginnings in the new year 2023, may Peace be upon all.