Tanvi Bambolkar
Goa: He is one of the best physiotherapists in Goa today. A 32 year-old medical practitioner who also tried his hand at the recent assembly elections through the Panaji constituency, and someone who has received accolades at the national and international level for his work in the field of physiotherapy.
Dr. Ketan Bhatikar shares some insights about his journey with Tanvi Bambolkar.
Q. Was becoming a physiotherapist your childhood dream?
– Not a childhood dream as such but after the 10th standard I had decided that I would take up this career. But somehow after 12th I was inclined towards Law. I even took admissions for Law after passing my HSSC, but my father insisted that I take up physiotherapy and that’s how I ended up here.
Q. How did your journey towards this field begin?
– My dad was in charge of inspection of various companies across the country. On one such trip he happened to know about two significant institutions offering the course of Physiotherapy. I took admission in SDM College, Dharwad and that’s how my journey began. Initially I did not like the field, especially because I was away from home. I missed my mother’s food. I was so much fed up with the hostel food that it badly affected my health. I suffered from gastro diseases and was also down with Chicken Guinea during this period. But after one and half year as I started knowing the subject I started liking it.
Q. Which is the best moment in your professional life up to now?
– There have been many, but the best one I would say is the Bangladesh Government inviting me to train their students. This feels good.
Q. Did you experience any setbacks during this journey?
– Yes a lot of them, I would say. Initially when I started my career many people did not really care about what I was doing. Nobody really took this profession seriously. But then I was fortunate enough to receive the help and guidance of Dayanand Narvekar who guided me. I realized that to change the system you need to get into the system and that’s why I began the work in the mainstream. I began taking media briefings, started writing articles on newspapers, organized camps and participated actively in medical politics. I wanted people to know the reality of this profession which was so much ignored and underestimated. And fortunately things changed with time. It’s really heartening to see state governments like Maharashtra and Gujarat offering registered degree certificates for physiotherapy courses. Although our field has not received much support from the fields like pharmaceuticals we have still managed to attract people towards the profession.
Q. Do you think there are many misunderstandings related to your profession?
– There were. But at least in Goa I can see that things are changing for good. Currently around seven ministers come to me for treatment. Almost everyone in the assembly has realized the significance of physiotherapy. Even common people come to us without references. They have realized that this treatment removes the pain slowly and gradually without any side effects and I think that’s the best part of our profession.
Q. Other than your profession which other passions do you pursue?
– Politics has been my passion always and I think it will remain so!
Q. So that’s the reason why you entered into mainstream politics this year?
– Yes, of course. And I think it doesn’t stop but I am going to continue my journey in politics till I achieve certain goals. Politics need not be only being MLA or Minister but being at some level where I can make things work. Health and sports would always remain my priorities when it comes to a political career. I wish we could provide physio therapies to people who are taking assistance under Deen Dayal scheme. Also, there is a need for mobile physio units to be set up in the state. This treatment should reach to the remotest areas of Goa. Sectors like fisheries and other departments of Goa Government too need to have physio sections for their employees.
Q. So this means you are going to contest elections in the near future?
-Yes, and I shall decide about the constituency very soon. For me party is not important but being on the field to serve people is important.
Q. So who is your role model and who are your advisors in this field?
– My parents always guide me. But politically Sudin Dhavlikar and Vijay Sardesai have been true inspirations and guides.
Q. Finally, what would you tell to the youngsters who want to take up lesser known professions like yours?
– I would say get a profession that’s not in the limelight and get the profession in limelight with your hard work.
