Dr. Sneh Bhargava, India’s first and only woman director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), recalls the chilling events surrounding Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination. Now 90, Dr. Bhargava's memoir, "The Woman Who Ran AIIMS," highlights her remarkable career as one of India's pioneering radiologists and her unique position in history. On October 31, 1984, while preparing for the confirmation of her role as director, Dr. Bhargava received a frantic call to rush to the casualty ward. There lay Indira Gandhi, gravely injured and in urgent need of care.
Despite the chaos, Dr. Bhargava focused on providing immediate medical attention, worrying about potential crowd disturbances as news of the prime minister's condition spread. She recalls the moment in her memoir: “My first thoughts were that we had to help her,” reflecting her commitment to care despite the immense pressure. Gandhi's assassination ushered in one of India’s most brutal riots, a tragic backdrop to Dr. Bhargava's urgent medical duties that day. As details of Gandhi's death became known, Dr. Bhargava worked tirelessly to maintain the charade of attempting to save her life for several hours before the inevitable truth emerged.
In her memoir, she also recounts a poignant moment while embalmment procedures were underway, reflecting on the trauma faced in such dire circumstances. The complexities of her career extended beyond that fateful day. Dr. Bhargava's book reveals her encounters with various political figures and the pressures faced from political interference in her role at AIIMS. Despite this, she remained steadfast in prioritizing patient care and promoting radiology within medical practice, a crucial area in which she pushed for advancements.
Dr. Bhargava's journey began in Lahore, where her early experiences during the partition inspired her to pursue medicine. As one of the few women in radiology training during the 1950s, she faced significant barriers yet achieved great influence in shaping medical practices in India. In seeking to empower future generations of women, Dr. Bhargava calls for societal support towards girls' education. “Parents should support their daughters the same way they support their sons,” she advocates, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities in breaking barriers in all fields, especially medicine.
Despite the chaos, Dr. Bhargava focused on providing immediate medical attention, worrying about potential crowd disturbances as news of the prime minister's condition spread. She recalls the moment in her memoir: “My first thoughts were that we had to help her,” reflecting her commitment to care despite the immense pressure. Gandhi's assassination ushered in one of India’s most brutal riots, a tragic backdrop to Dr. Bhargava's urgent medical duties that day. As details of Gandhi's death became known, Dr. Bhargava worked tirelessly to maintain the charade of attempting to save her life for several hours before the inevitable truth emerged.
In her memoir, she also recounts a poignant moment while embalmment procedures were underway, reflecting on the trauma faced in such dire circumstances. The complexities of her career extended beyond that fateful day. Dr. Bhargava's book reveals her encounters with various political figures and the pressures faced from political interference in her role at AIIMS. Despite this, she remained steadfast in prioritizing patient care and promoting radiology within medical practice, a crucial area in which she pushed for advancements.
Dr. Bhargava's journey began in Lahore, where her early experiences during the partition inspired her to pursue medicine. As one of the few women in radiology training during the 1950s, she faced significant barriers yet achieved great influence in shaping medical practices in India. In seeking to empower future generations of women, Dr. Bhargava calls for societal support towards girls' education. “Parents should support their daughters the same way they support their sons,” she advocates, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities in breaking barriers in all fields, especially medicine.
