Wondering where Abhinandan Varthaman got indomitable strength from? His mother
What's the story
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned to his motherland on Friday after spending almost three days in Pakistan's captivity. Despite the trauma of ejection and imprisonment, Abhinandan displayed a composed self when he walked towards the Indian side of the Wagah border. His demeanor begged the question: Where does he get this strength from? The answer is from his mother Dr. Shobha Varthaman.
Parents
Son of incredible parents, Abhinandan made the nation proud
Abhinandan is the son of a decorated IAF officer and a war doctor who has spent years in conflict zones. His father, Air Marshal S Varthaman, served in IAF for nearly four decades while mother Dr. Shobha Varthaman has worked in countries like Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Papua New Guinea, Haiti, and Nigeria. A family friend said Abhinandan inherited calmness from his mother.
Mother
Dr. Shobha worked with "Doctors Without Borders"
Group Captain TK Singha, a retired fighter pilot, who was IAF's spokesperson when Varthaman senior was commander of the East, shed light on Dr. Shobha. After completing her graduation from Madras Medical College, Dr. Shobha did specialization from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. She was a member of "Doctors Without Borders" and has worked in several war-ravaged zones.
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Dr. Shobha wounded many in worst conflict zones
"She epitomizes the quintessential woman of substance. She has served humanity amidst cataclysmic violence, healed the wounded in some of the worst conflict zones around the world, ensured mothers and their newborn survive post-delivery complications in Haiti," Singha said.
Assignments
While surgeons stayed in hotels, Dr. Shobha worked
Dr. Shobha was deployed in Liberia and Nigeria, post-civil wars. She was the only anesthesiologist in Iraq during the Gulf war. "Since I was the only anesthesiologist, somehow or the other, they thought utilizing me for work is more important than security. Even the surgeons were inside their hotels," Dr. Shobha had told Singha. She ran an orthopedic hospital in Haiti after a massive earthquake.
Details
An Iranian woman's thoughts on war impacted Dr. Shobha
Singha revealed a conversation with an Iranian woman deeply impacted Dr. Shobha. The Iranian woman had lost her 18-year-old son to landmine blast. "It's my country, I have to protect it and if I have a son who can protect, I will send him. And if he goes and we don't have any more sons, we will go next," the woman had told Dr. Shobha.
Saving lives
Dr. Shobha used Bollywood to ensure patients followed instructions
Dr. Shobha also found a peculiar way to ensure patients followed her instructions. In countries, where Bollywood was well-known, most of the locals were fans of Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan. "All my Hindi film DVDs were given to my patients as bribes for following my instructions," Dr. Shobha told Singha. Her cousin C Kundanadhan said she has always been a strong-headed woman.
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Dr. Shobha lost her father early, reveals cousin
"She was very bold from her childhood days. Both father and mother are bold, but she in particular, perhaps because she has faced tough times. She and her siblings grew up losing their father early," Kundanadhan said.
Courage
Dr. Shobha displayed immense strength during Abhinandan's captivity
Singha revealed he wrote an email to Dr. Shobha on learning about Abhinandan's captivity. Considering the sobering time, he wasn't expecting a reply. But she reverted within 15 minutes. "It just shows her character, her mental strength, and tenacity," he said. Abhinandan certainly didn't have to look far for role models. The family is truly inspirational in every sense.