RADHA MOHAN & HELMET

In January 2005, I reached Delhi in the morning and soon received a call from my deputy. One of our students, Radha Mohan had met with an accident early in the morning and has been hospitalized. He is in coma and is suffering from head injury. Doctors have advised surgery and my directives are needed.

By the way, I was Director of a MBA Institute in Pune then and had gone to Delhi for a week long stay, in connection with placements of my first batch, which was to pass out in May. I had at least 30 appointments lined up for next week or so, all in New Delhi, Noida and Gaziabad. My back office team in placement office had done a wonderful job and had handed over to me date and slot wise list of all big names, to whom I was scheduled to meet and invite them to my campus for placement of students. The Institute was new (so was I, in the capacity of Director) and placement of first batch mattered most to us, since fresh admissions are purely based on track record of placements.

I was stuck and helpless too. I just got the entire story over phone.
Previous night, Radha Mohan had gone to one of his friends and while returning to his room on bike at around 3 am, he met with an accident. Luckily one taxi saw him on the road. From his last number dialed, the driver contacted his room partner. Soon he was hospitalized.

I gave necessary instructions to my deputy and also president of student council. My students were with him in hospital for 10-12 days. They had also contributed money for treatment of Radha Mohan. Institute had its share. The brain surgery estimate was to the tune of 1.92 L.

His parents from a village near Chennai were informed and brought to Pune. My students took care of them and counseled as well. ( Radha was the only son and parents came from rural back ground). I was also in touch over phone with the doctors treating him. The surgery was successful but he was still in coma for around 10 days. Doctors had kept their fingers crossed. We were all immature to handle such situation, which was one of its kind and I had come across it for the first time.

On return to Pune from Delhi, I rushed to the hospital, met the doctors, his parents and also my students. "Death would be better option for him." Doctors informed.

Finally his struggle for life ended and one morning, I got his death message. Then there were police formalities. I had no courage to face his parents. We all joined the funeral. His father with folded hands and tearful eyes sought my permission to address all students who had assembled.

He uttered only one sentence- " Please always wear helmet while driving a two wheeler. I have lost my only son, but it should not happen with anyone."

I can not forget first death incidence of my student till date.