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The Rediff Interview/Dr B Ramana Rao, Dr Rajakumar's personal physician

'I am ready to leave at a moment's notice'

My emergency medicine kit is ready and I can leave at a moment's notice," says Dr Rajakumar's personal physician Dr B Ramana Rao, 48, in his clinic in the upmarket Rajmahal Vilas in Bangalore. "I am just waiting to see my favourite patient again."

Dr Rajakumar's family has told Rao that he will have to be around when Veerappan releases the matinee idol.

Rao is a general physician and consulting cardiologist for a string of celebrities. He treats patients at big hospitals in Bangalore, in addition to running a free clinic on Sundays at his farmhouse in T Begur, on the outskirts of the city, for villagers, since two decades now. The latter gesture got him a Rajyotsava award.

Rao spoke to M D Riti about his celebrity patient, who is now in the clutches of Veerappan.

Will Dr Rajakumar will be able to withstand the rigours of living in a jungle?

Having known him for 15 years, I can say that he is unique. He has seen problems of life and acted them out in movies. He is cool, calm and never gets perturbed. He always thinks positively about people and situations. For example, he would never think of ways to grab an AK-47 and kill Veerappan. He would think of how he could help the man out and bring out the best in him.

What about his health?

He practices yoga and walks regularly, irrespective of rain or sunshine. He walks four kilometres in the morning and four and half kilometres in the evening. That's really good for a man of his age (now in his early seventies) and it keeps him in very good physical condition.

He devotes almost six hours a day to fitness?

Yes. At 0430 hours, you will see him walking in the park outside this clinic and again from 1830 hours till 1945 hours, alone. He is so confident about the goodness of humanity, he never thought anyone would abduct him.

Which ailments does he suffer from?

Everyone knows that he has hypertension and osteo-arthritis. He doesn't have any other health problem. He takes a tablet a day for hypertension.

There have been many occasions when he couldn't take the medicines for various reasons, but he suffered no major problem. As for his knee, regular exercise keeps the pain in control.

Any particular exercise you have prescribed?

He will be in a better position to advice me. He knows specific yoga exercises, which he does regularly, and which is helping him reduce medication for the pain.

Will deviation from routine affect him?

Yes. He is a person who lives by the clock: breakfast, coffee, dinner are taken at the same time every day. He is very predictable. The disruption in schedule may upset him or his system more than the environment or absence of comforts. But he says, in the tapes, that he is enjoying the new atmosphere and that he is probably destined to have this kind of experience. If he had referred to it as an ordeal, then there would be cause for worry.

Did you change his medication after his abduction?

No, I have not changed anything.

Once he returns, will you be putting him through a battery of tests?

Knowing him, the last person he will want to see when he is released is his doctor. Yes, we will have to undergo some check-ups to make sure that he is in good shape.

What kind of a patient is he?

He never complains because he does not want to trouble anyone.

Is that why you describe him as one of your favourite patients?

I am his fan too. He's great. When he comes here, he thinks of my convenience, not his. That is so unique in a patient.

How is his family coping?

They are all under terrific stress. This waiting is killing them. Everyone has lost weight. Nobody is eating or sleeping well.

Will you be part of the group that goes to fetch him back, when it happens?

Yes. I am packed and ready to leave at a moment's notice. I have assured the family that I will be within easy reach until he comes back.

The Rediff Interviews

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