Kusum Prasad at her clinic in Ranchi. A Telegraph picture

Meet Kusum Prasad, a successful gynaecologist, entrepreneur and a homemaker. Considered one of the best gynaecologists in the city, she runs the popular Jeevan Jyoti nursing home at Upper Bazar.

This lady is a perfectionist who treats work as sacred. When one visits her tidy house or her clean and hygienic nursing home, or her beautifully proportioned garden, her penchant for clean and tidy spaces is clearly evident.

?Way back in 1967 when I was appearing for my Intermediate in science, my brother-in-law met with a tragic road accident and he could not be saved. I still remember the trauma of my parents and sister. It was then that I realised that even in a crude form medical science still gives one the scope to save lives, to feel a little less helpless in such situations,? says Kusum.

The otherwise extremely professional person, she treats family as her priority. Her pillar of strength is her husband Ashok Prasad a psychiatrist and the head of the department of psychiatry at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

?My husband has been my strength throughout my professional life. A psychiatrist, he has been there to help me through all those years of hardship. He understands my priorities adjusts himself accordingly. We are both professionals and we have never had any problems,? he said. A doting mother of two, she would love it if her children joined their parent?s field of interest.

?I always wanted my children to be doctors and they have fulfiled my dreams. Both Abhishek and Smita have completed their MBBS and are now pursuing internship,? she says.

Kusum would want people to know her for her numerous interests and not only as a doctor She takes pride in her capacities as a homemaker. she believes her house manifests the real her,

?That one bigha of garden is an important space for me. Though it is actually difficult to find time for myself. But I make it a point to devote at least an hour in the morning for cleaning or cooking for the family as that makes me feel good at the end of the day,? she says with a satisfied smile.

The lady has worked hard to be in a position she currently is. And the struggles faced and impediments have taught her many important lessons.

?I do not say that a person should be particular about being the best in his profession. But every work that you do should be carried out with sincerity. One should never compromise as far as making an effort is concerned. I have followed this principle to the core throughout my career,? she says.

That Kusum is devoted to her duty can be understood in the way she drives to her nursing home 10 Kms away late at night or in the wee hours of morning to take care of an ailing patient.

Some patients have been so impressed with her that they have named their children after her.

?Woman who had faced nine unsuccessful pregnancies delivered her baby girl under my care. When I handed over the girl to her father, he began weeping out of sheer joy. These small incidents are like gifts in my profession, that makes it so worthwhile at the end of the day,? says Kusum.

Apart than this there are other humourous incidents that dot her life as well.

?Once we had a lady who was expecting twins but much to our surprise she gave birth to triplets. What followed was utter chaos as the young father rushed into our office and nearly started to scream at us. He was asking the staff as to how he was to feed three children together. he was ranting and raving like a mad person.

?Though we were jubilant as this was a first of its kind operation here at the nursing home, the father was in a little bit of a shock I believe,? she adds laughing.

Kusum follows a strict mantra of work in professional and personal life that she has shared with her children.

?I am not a philosopher who can should be advising people,? says Kusum.

?However I do think it is crucial in life to love and respect the work that one has chosen as a career. Unless one is sincere in her work she will find it difficult to be sincere at anything else in life,? she said.

?Whether one will be successful in life or not is decided by one?s attitude towards work in particular and towards life in general,? Kusum adds.

S. Shekhar