Revelations of a Radiologist from Yale

Dr. Aditya Daftary, a US trained radiologist, based in Mumbai visited our School on 4 October, 2012. The objective was a wide-ranging and free interaction with the students of classes 11 and 12. From introducing them to a first hand experience at an Ivy League university to possible secrets of a contented countenance. Dr. Daftary has an M.D in Radiology from Yale University, USA and practises in Mumbai.

To the amusement of the audience. in his presentation, Dr. Daftary began by introducing a new disease called Normalitis. Something that every serious student suffers from! He suggested that besides studies, we must necessarily do things that make us happy. He elaborated with experiences from his own life, from his days at School, at Yale, and as a practising doctor thereafter.

Dr. Daftary said he was just like any ordinary student. He never stood first in class. He was good at sports but he never really stretched himself to achieve anything beyond what he was capable of. His academic achievements at School may not have been stellar, but we inferred from his presentation, that he made his School life very exciting by optimally using his free time. He described at length how he would engage in every camping expedition that was offered as well the opportunities for volunteering at hospitals.

At college, Dr. Daftary described that he saw a great difference in the way teachers related to their students. In Mumbai at Jai Hind College, the approach was more traditional and formal whilst at Yale he was happily surprised to discover an entirely approachable and friendly-styled engagement between teachers and their students especially at the post-graduate level. He recounted his happy memories of Thanksgiving lunches with a resident doctor at Yale, Dr. Ann Curtis as amongst his warmest interactions with his teachers. He said that his time at Yale taught him to understand the essential similarity amongst all human beings despite the diversity of backgrounds, the value of tenacity and the art of human interaction.

Dr. Daftary said he believed in being different. He gave us several divergent examples, all pointing to viewing things with a difference.He said honesty and discipline are extremely valuable qualities and offered angles from his own experiences.

On the brink of making choices ourselves, we were fascinated by what we heard. We related very easily with what we heard and most of us were left asking for more! We listened, we laughed and we learnt about life as students and llife thereafter. We left in a new confidence about ourselves. Thank you Dr. Daftary.