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New Delhi: Pats and
brickbats - Aamir Khan was prepared for it all when he set out to
discuss burning issues in his debut TV show "Satyamev Jayate".
Fearless and convinced about the aim of the show, the
actor-filmmaker says he is totally unapologetic about raising the
issue of malpractices in the medical profession, thereby upsetting
an umbrella body of 21 medical institutions.
"I have absolutely no intentions of apologising because I have not
done anything wrong," Aamir told IANS in an exclusive interview
over phone from Mumbai.
After raising concerns over female foeticide, dowry and child
abuse, Aamir took it upon himself to shake up viewers and awaken
them to the existence of irregularities in the country's
healthcare system.
He brought issues like cut practices, unethical medical practices,
and commission demands to the fore and presented live examples of
people who could have been cured with simple medicines but were
advised by doctors to undergo surgeries, robbing them of precious
money.
This 'exposure' has landed Aamir in the bad books of the Indian
Medical Association (IMA). But he does not fret!
"We were aware that since these are issues that are core to all of
us and affecting every Indian, obviously there are some people who
are part of the problem, and they are not going to be happy with
us because these are the ones who don't want a solution to be
there.
"In fact, I would have been surprised if we would not have earned
brickbats. The people who are getting troubled are very likely the
ones who are part of the problems," said Aamir, adding that he
hasn't received any physical threats so far.
He protests against the allegation that he only highlighted the
negative aspects of the medical profession on his show, to which
was invited K.K. Talwar, chairman, board of governors, Medical
Council of India (MCI).
"I don't know whether they have seen the show because a number of
times we brought out that there are many doctors who are doing
great work. We gave such strong examples of positive work by
doctors like Dr. Devi Shetty and Dr. Shamit Sharma," Aamir told
IANS.
He denied the accusation that he insulted the medical profession.
"I have not insulted the medical profession at all. I have the
highest regard for the medical profession. In fact what is
insulting to the medical profession is those doctors who are
indulging in unethical practices. They have insulted the medical
profession, not me," he said.
However, he is happy with the positive response from the medical
community as well as youths who aspire to be in the profession.
"A lot of doctors have written to me and said, 'Your work is
fantastic and we are thank you for what you have done'. Dr.
K.K.Talwar, head of the Medical Council of India, was on our show
and after the show was aired, he wrote to me saying: 'I thought
what you did on the show was very good.'
"He said that 'I am aware that a small section of doctors is upset
with you, but I want you to know that what you are doing is very
important and I want you to know that MCI and I will do everything
we can in our control and power to set things right'. Now that is
such an important and encouraging response.
"Young medical students have written to me that this is a
profession we are about to enter and we are so inspired by your
show to do the right thing when we enter the profession," he
added.
"I want to thank these doctors and young medical students whose
messages and letters have been most encouraging" he said.
Aamir says his conviction in the concept and aim of the show have
left him fearless of negative reactions.
"I feel what I have set out to do is extremely important and what
I support is important for me and very important for society and
our country. I have absolutely no hesitation in doing what I feel
is right for the country. So in that, if there is a small group of
people who are getting upset, it is sad, but so be it. In fact, I
would request those people who are getting upset to look inward.
"I believe we are trying to make a sincere effort in first
understanding issues and then shedding light on them, and we are
committed to that attempt," said the 47-year-old trailblazing
cinema personality.
(Radhika
Bhirani can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in)
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