Dr. Shashikant Kamat is gifted and a man of many passions. A scholar, doctor, cricketer and singer all rolled into one, the 67- year-old Mumbai-based gynaecologist speaks about the many loves of his life – especially cricket and medicine. In a tete a tete with A. Radhakrishnan he says health is all about physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being.
Describe yourself.
I guess I am God’s favoured child. He created me at leisure, imbibed in me manifold and varied qualities and I owe it to His benevolence to use all of it in my lifetime.
Briefly, your academic excellence.
I hail from a family which believes that excellence in education is the surest way to progress and success. Great genes and a healthy home environment are conducive for academic excellence. If that creates a scholar, well I never lost my first rank through school.
How did you get into playing cricket?
My early childhood was spent at Lamington Road, Central Mumbai, with no playground close by. Relocating to Worli, our house was adjacent to the Worli Sports Club Ground.
It gave me the opportunity to plunge into cricket, starting with the Tennis Ball and then the Red Cherry. I would literally beg of the senior star cricketers practicing on the hallowed pitches of the club to allow me to bowl at the nets.
They were impressed and gave me long bowling stints. (Late) Mr. Naidu, of the Times of India and the Father Figure of WSC spotted me. I was a natural leg spinner and a Googly Bowler. Thus began my journey.
At the cost of sounding pompous, I can proudly say that I was responsible for even starting a Cricket Team in my school.
What was your position in cricket?
I started off as a leg cum googly bowler. When Mr. Naidu saw me in shorts without footwear bowling to the seniors in the nets, he inquired if my father would purchase the cricket shoes and the white flannels needed that same evening, as the Selections for the Bombay Schools team was to commence the next morning at 7 am. My father agreed and the next morning, I earned my BCA Cap.
Batting at Number 11 after joining WSC, I was in and out of the playing eleven and would hardly get to play in Kanga League, being a leg spinner. I realised that only an all-rounder would be assured of a permanent place in the Eleven. In the ensuing vacations, I worked very hard on my batting and fielding. I even tried my hand at wicket keeping. Impressed, Mr. Naidu suggested that I concentrate on wicket keeping. I did and since then never looked back.
Can you tell us about your cricket highs?
I entered Medical College on Merit. Medical studies are taxing, and I had a tough time balancing medical curriculum and cricket. Opting out of high level cricket, I however, kept on playing in the lower level, captained Sacred Heart School Team, Jai Hind College, Seth GS Medical College, Worli Sports Club and played a season in Kanga League ‘A’ Division Team for Young Maharashtra.
I was the only doctor to play for The Bombay Municipal Corporation Gymkhana Team in The Times Shield and we were Champions of the ‘E’ Division that year. I was felicitated by the then Municipal Commissioner for my stellar performance as Wicketkeeper Batsman.
I played for the Over 45 MIG Cricket Club Team till I turned 64 years of age. A fracture of my right little finger however made me hang my boots.
Your opinion on IPL and commercial cricket?
Cashing in on public preferences in sports is welcome as long as the aims and the means adopted are honourable. Sad to say, matters are not wholly above board. Bookies certainly as also unsavoury elements from Bollywood and the underworld are having their interests in IPL and commercial cricket. As a result, I have long ago stopped watching these forms of cricket.
Do you think cricketers of late are obscenely paid?
Nothing wrong in cricketers wanting a big share of the booty earned by the BCCI. Adding the revenue from endorsements and modelling makes the earnings phenomenal.
In comparision, sportspersons in other disciplines are meagerly paid. Why, even scientists, teachers, armed forces and other professions contributing to national pride and stature find their remuneration grossly inadequate.
So yes, too much money in cricket.
Why is public interest comparatively cricket-centric?
Money and only money speaks. The powers that be, have marketed cricket so well, and coupled with glamour and the opportunities offered by the advertising world, have together glued the interests of every generation of our populace to this sport.
The high tech TV coverage has contributed in no less measure to the frenzy. Mind you, Hockey is our National Sport. But, there is a perceptible change. As medals are won in other sport disciplines, money is slowly being ploughed into them.
Your favourite cricketer?
Ajit Wadekar, a commoner catapulted to captaincy. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He of course had some very good cricketers in his team, but he moulded them into a Fighting Unit. For the first time in the history of Indian Cricket, they fought as a team. A turning point. Wadekar, in my opinion gets the greater part of the credits. To add to that, he was one of the finest left hand batsman of all time and a great slip fielder.
When did your interest in medicine begin?
My father was a medical doctor. I saw the tremendous love and respect his patients had for him. For them, he was no less than a Hero. I think, I decided to work towards my goal of entering a reputed medical College ever since I was 12 years old!
What are your achievements in the medicine field?
All the top rankers from all schools from Mumbai entered G.S Medical College. The camaraderie was always there, but the competition though was fierce. I secured a Gold Medal in MBBS from Bombay University, coupled with handsome cash prizes.
I ranked First in the qualifying exams of my chosen branch of specialisation and secured a seat in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
I set up Shobhana Nursing Home, named after my late mother, at Mahim West in November 1983.
How do you time manage running the hospital?
Time management came with experience. Through School, College and Medical College, I practiced the art of managing time, as I strongly believe that I must repay God’s mercies by utilising and honing the talents.
Your views on our health system
Our Public Health System (PHS) leaves a lot to be desired. The ongoing pandemic has exposed the fallacy of the policies of all governments, both at the Centre and States since Independence on the allocation of funds towards Health in their Budgets. The miniscule estimates show their misplaced priorities. Hope they have learnt their lesson.
The rich have their 5-Star Hospitals. The majority middle class and the economically unprivileged need to be taken care of. The PHS (Public Health System) is woefully inadequate to take care of both the middle class and the economically lower class. The doctor owned small Nursing Homes are strategically placed to take the brunt of these sections of society at an affordable cost. But, they are becoming unviable and are slowly closing down. That is the tragedy. The Budget for Health will require a substantial enhanced allocation. Maybe, a Public Private Partnership is the Answer.
Is Covid merely a conspiracy?
It is politicians and media which are responsible for the Conspiracy Theory. The Pandemic is a Reality. A scientifically confirmed fact is that people have died. Herd Immunity, acquired either through Vaccination or Infection is the only answer.
Is there a secret for good health?
Health is a state of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. Good health does not come from medicines alone. It comes from happiness of mind, body and soul. It comes from love and laughter. Moderation and austerity is the key….my philosophy
How and when did you catch the singing bug?
In 2003, MiG Club of which I am a Life Member held a Talents Parade on their sprawling grounds. My friends who knew of my singing talent coaxed me to enter the Selection rounds. The Independent Judge ranked me pretty high and a hidden passion was aroused.
What genre of singing do you specialise in?
Though not classically trained, I sing all forms in several languages like Hindi, Marathi, English, Tamil, Malayalam and Bengali. I believe music should not be compartmentalised.
Do you think you have the qualities required for a good singer?
People believe so. They also apparently believe in my strong stage presence and stage performances. I have never referred to lyrics on stage. I know by heart almost 250 songs. I look into my audience’s eyes while singing, a quality which perhaps endears me to my fans.
What do you do to keep your throat healthy?
I desist from ice-creams, soft drinks, and cold water. I also avoid fried foods, dust, strong perfumes, talcum powder and gargle frequently with hot salt water. A couple of days before a show, I speak minimally and in a soft tone.
Why did you not try your hand at reality singing shows?
It involves too much preparation and I have very little time because of my profession which involves emergencies. I am also not too ambitious. My Singing Group – Sur Bahaar comprising of only doctors keeps very busy year long with shows for NGOs, medical institutions, Rotary, Lions, and senior Citizens, all of which are without monetary consideration. My wife, Dr Vinita, also a Medical Doctor anchors our shows..
What is the all-India award you got in a singing competition?
Was it a huge happening?
Yes, The All India Doctors Singing Competition was one of the biggest events in my life. Five cities pan India had elimination rounds and two doctors from each city competed in the Finale, held at a glittering function at JW Marriot, Juhu, Mumbai on 13 November 2021.
A total of 30 doctors competed for the title with famed Bollywood singer Alka Yagnik as the Judge. I was crowned The EM IDOL….There were singers half my age. Alkaji while announcing my name as winner described me as “the very young and rocking Dr. Shashikant Kamat!”
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A. Radhakrishnan
A.Radhakrishnan is a Pune based freelance journalist, poet and short story writer, who when not enjoying is favourite cup of kaapi, loves to make people happy.
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