Out of the many people whom I have seen grow, his connection with the real world and humble nature can impress anyone. Life does become tough for everyone at some point, but what become from it makes our destiny. He made a choice to spread happiness instead of collecting boxes of money.
Growing up with morals is often misunderstood as ‘restricted by rules’, but the life of 55-year-old paediatrician Dr RS Makhani is an example of freedom combined with deep seeded moral values. Despite numerous ups and downs, his creativity blossomed with endless love from his mother and support of his wife.
Sharing his inspirational tale, Makhani said, “I come from a very humble background and free environment, where I had opportunities to grow and explore everything around me.” His father (late) Dr GS Makhani taught at medical college while his mother has been a practising gynaecologist.
“My mother had to get babies delivered in lamp lights at homes in those days, because maximum people could not afford hospitals; we couldn’t,” Makhani shared. As his family could afford only one meal a day, luxuries of life were not even in sight for them.
“I recall picking up coins in weddings that were showered as blessings on bride and groom,” Makhani said. With teary eyes, he recalled the days when he could not afford to buy a kite and had to fend for his little needs.
“My parents did not know and when one day, my mother found out, she just cried uncontrollably and never hurt me,” Makhani shared. While there was dearth of funds, wings of imagination and creativity strengthened with experience.
Talking about his interests, Makhani said, “I was in Class 5 and I remember being angry with my dad.” He painted his anger on a sheet of paper by drawing his dad’s portrait with a mouse in his beard.
Chuckling at the image, his mother Dr Narendra Kaur Makhani, now 85, had said, “Despite the anger, he is really talented and we must appreciate that.” Accepting the humour even his father had appreciated his work.
With varied interests and support from his parents, Makhani had the freedom to try sports, arts and different academic disciplines. “I won cycling races, played hockey, painted whenever I had time and read a lot,” he shared.
With that little money which he collected from funerals and weddings, he subscribed to a local library for books. “I read all the books irrespective of their genre as they really seemed like my best friend after my brother,” Makhani said.
Over the years, his knowledge exceeded his classmates’ in not only academics but also art. “I cleared my medical entrance and completed my education from Indore, while sketching and playing mouth organ in my free time,” Makhani shared.
Counting struggles as a part of life, he talked about various difficulties which he tackles. “For me till today, everything that I am is because of two women in my life,” Makhani said.
His mother becoming his first teacher has enriched his life with blessings and knowledge. “She always emphasises the importance of giving and living honestly without selfish means,” Makhani said.
With her values, he has been able to become a good and helping doctor while also being a good artist. “Being an artist, I am a little sensitive which is tough for a doctor who has to work with babies who are at borderline of life,” Makhani shared.
Standing as his strength, his 47-year-old homemaker wife Ashu Makhani encourages him to do the best possible with positive anticipation for consequences. “I am grateful to have two wonderful sons (22-year-old student Geet Singh and 17-year-old student Shaleen Singh) who understand our values and respect everyone,” Makhani talked about his kids.
Sharing his plans, he talked about a sketch whose sales proceedings would be used to help children. “I believe in living joyfully without too much baggage of luxuries and rather with exploration of self and the beautiful world around us,” Makhani concluded.
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