. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A Family That Stays Together
(By Appu Jacob John, March 11, 2012)

1) Rajsankar Unnikrishnan delivers his speech the gathering during the Friends of Tibet Ottapalam meet organised at the Vyapari Bhavan Auditorium to welcome the Men-Tsee-Khang member to the town on March 11, 2012. 2) Rajsankar Unnikrishnan offers a traditional Kerala 'Ponnada' to Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar, Chief Medical Officer of Men-Tsee-Khang, Bangalore Unit 3) Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar offers a Tibetan Carpet to Rajsankar Unnikrishnan 4) Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar speaks to the gathering while Appu Jacob John of Friends of Tibet moderates the show. (More photos from the 18th Wellbeing Tibetan Medical Camp)

Ottapalam: The 18th Wellbeing Tibetan Medical Camp organised by Friends of Tibet and Men-Tsee-Khang was held from March 7-10, 2012. The medical camp was known once again for the large number of patients turning on each time. Patients with new forms of diseases; it requires real patience to understand and respond to the requirements of each and everybody and the doctors are the masters of the art of patience. How can they satisfy the whole lot? As a volunteer I have often lost temper (though not have expressed it) over the patients' rush to see the doctor and when they see the doctors it's all peace. The doctor and the medicine rolled into one — solace.

This camp was known for the extravaganza held on the fourth day of camp. It was something which was not heard till now — a family meet. A family should be considered as the most important feature for every good treatment. By being a supportive and prayerful family every family could support and reduce the suffering of the patients. There is an old saying which says "A Family Stays Together Prays Together". Hence one can very well say a family is the back bone of all human relation. It is because of this we can say that a sound and caring family is important for the wellbeing of all those who are suffering. Such was the case with Rajsankar Unnikrishnan from Ottapalam. He is an optician who had suffered by a series of maladies ending in serious health problem like diabetic neuropathy. He was sick for years saved by the positive work done by the family besides the medicine. Ten months into the Tibetan medicine he was cured, happy and peaceful. Unnikrishnan was always exhilarated whenever he talked about his 'miracle cure'. It was in this occasion that he wanted to organise a Friends of Tibet family meet in his home town — Ottapalam.

Jose VJ, Appu Jacob John and AK Tharanath of Friends of Tibet speak to the gathering at Ottapalam. The event organised by Friends of Tibet (Ottapalam) to welcome the Men-Tsee-Khang team members to Ottapalam town was held at the Vyapari Bhavan on March 11, 2012. (More photos from the 18th Wellbeing Tibetan Medical Camp)

The medical team started from Kochi five in the morning accompanied by Tharanath, Jose VJ and Appu Jacob John. The team reached Unnikrishnan's house and after a sumptuous meal all of us went to the Vyapari Bhavan Auditorium for the formal meeting. The gathering was welcomed by Unnikrishnan. Dr Dorjee Repten Neshar was honored by presenting a 'Ponnada' to him. The meeting was then addressed by Dr Neshar. In his main talk he had reminded the gathering on the ways to keep their health. He had advised the gathering on a fourfold path to protect the general health of people. The seasonal, mental, life style and other faculties of the body should be kept in perfect balance so that medicines could be avoided. He again reminded the crowd that medicines shouldn't be the end of all treatment but only part of it. Dr Neshar also honored Unnikrishnan with a Khata and a traditional Tibetan carpet.

Following the lecture VJ Jose reminded the gathering the way the camp has been conducted. He was voicing the needs and limitations of the Wellbeing camp. This was followed by an interactive session between Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar, Dr Tenzin Norbu with the gathering. Appu Jacob John was the moderator and the translator of the session. The meeting ended with Tharanath thanking the audience. The medical team was given a sumptuous meal by Unnikrishnan and his team at Ottapalam at his residence.

His whole families with their larger ends were instrumental in his healing and they were all present on the occasion. Later in the evening the team also visited the famous historical hot spot 'Varikkassery Mana'. Finally it should be mentioned in golden letters that the family of Rajsankar Unnikrishnan as they stood with him during his trials. It was a family that stayed together and by their togetherness the healing is brought to the society at Ottappalam. A family that stays together certainly will stay together forever.

Men-Tsee-Khang and Friends of Tibet team members with Rajsankar Unnikrishnan and his family members.

Appu Jacob John is a Friends of Tibet Campaigner and writer based at Kottayam, Kerala. He can be reached at appu.john@friendsoftibet.org.