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Dr Vaman Khadilkar comes across as a fastidious man. He is smartly dressed, a stethoscope dangles around his neck like an outlandish ornament and he looks at his watch often to check if his day is running on time.
| Rajesh Nirgude |
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This paediatric endocrinologist at Jehangir Hospital can’t afford to let the minutes go unchecked, his patients are many — he just doesn’t have the luxury to atchan IPL match or go out for acuppa. His wife, paedetrician Dr Anuradha Khadilkar, as compared to him appears more relaxed. She talks with a calm poise, weighing her words carefully, before she utters anything.
Similar goals
Dr Vaman is a child and adolescent growth specialist plus a paediatric endocrinologist and Dr Anuradha who is also a paediatrician has now branched into research. “I handle clinical matters and she does research on children’s health issues,” says Dr Vaman. “Such an arrangement works out well for us.
As a researcher, I have the flexibility to work at home and office,” smiles Dr Anuradha. The two met at a medical college in Miraj, found out that they shared similar goals and fell in love.
A walk to remember
Both were aces at academics and were driven individuals — they fit the bill for the proverbial match made in heaven. However, Dr Anuradha overlooked one quality of her future husband — Dr Vaman it turned out, was a fitness freak.
“Before we got married, he made me walk up a very tall building. I told him this was not exactly what I had bargained for,” jokes Dr Anuradha. In the long run, Dr Vaman’s fitness streak has turned out to be boon for the family.
Well over 40, he gives the elevator a miss at the Jehangir Hospital premises and moves swiftly up to the second floor. Thanks to his penchant for good health, he coaxes his two daughters and wife to go out on walks.
Who's the boss?
Driven as they are, the two are dedicated parents. “My wife is the boss at home,” confesses Dr Vaman. A couple of years ago, they were in the UK, studying and working. During that time, Dr Anuradha took a backseat from her medical career to tend to the children.“Afterawhile,wedecidedto come back to India.
To make sure we would not be tempted to return back to the UK, my husband gave up his medical registration.” At home in Pune, the support they got from their respective families was a blessing.
When it comes to parenting, both display a transparent approach. “Since both of us are essentially paediatricians, we understand our children’s psychology. Besides, we explain every thing to them.Whenwediscipline our daughters, we make it a point to explain to them where they went wrong,” says Dr Vaman.
Family first
As busy as they are, family time is not compromised. “Apart from my medical duties, I tend to travel a lot speaking at conferences around the country. My wife at times accompanies me on these travels.
But both our daughters are busy now with academics, so we have to squeeze in time to go out on vacations,”says Dr Vaman. Like all healthy couples, the partners have their fair share of differences. “I enjoy listening to music,” says Dr Anuradha, Dr Vaman adds, “Music is not my thing.”
But within this circle of differences and similarities, the two have sprung a rainbow of agreement — come what may, their middle path attitude towards life, sees them through.
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05:20:12 PM