Between two golden landmarks at Father Muller


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By John B Monteiro

Mangaluru, Oct 5: This week I had two golden landmarks related to Father Muller Hospital. To start with the second, I was diagnosed Covid-19 positive 2 days ago, almost 50 years after the first landmark. While that is not a thing to shout from the rooftop about, what I saw while giving my RT-PCR test at the Father Muller’s test complex reinforced my admiration for their “Heal and Comfort” conglomerate. What used to be a premier car park near the entrance, is now a highly streamlined test complex. More than the physical infrastructure, what impressed me were the staff who manage the rush of patients and their escorts, who, in many cases, are dealing with such a setup for the first time. They are soon put in a soothing mood, with the staff going out of their way to greet them with cheerful smiles and guide them through the various service points. This is a subject worth writing chapters about.

More than my pleasant health-related brushes with Father Muller, my most creative and lasting experience has been the projection of Father Muller in the media and in its own publications, the most important of which being the Souvenir of its Post-Centenary Silver Jubilee in 2005 (its cover is featured alongside). For the souvenir, I worked with the late Monsignor Dr Alexander D’Souza, an ex-director of the Hospital and a great Konkani writer. Rev Dr Baptist Menezes, the then director, provided me ample space and resources, including the assistance of one of his secretaries. Going even further down memory lane, the first typed draft of the institution’s history was written by me as I came back from Bombay to be with my mother, who was slowly sinking at the Hospital. The then director, F Peter Noronha, gave me an ante room next to my mother’s, and the then administrator, Fr Lawrence D’Souza arranged to supply documentary sources.

Finally, I revert to the first golden jubilee, the birth of my first born, duly named Primrose. The maternity home at that time was a one-storey building, resembling the chieftain’s house displayed at Pilikula. It was a single edifice with a vast stretch of rough ground surrounding it. Today, it is a car park.

Even if her birthplace has vanished, Primrose (or Prima, as she is more popularly known) has since blazed new paths professionally. She has been managing editor of Femina magazine, and is now editor of Lonely Planet India magazine, the Indian edition of the famous travel and tourism magazine and a joint venture between the BBC and the Times of India Group. She celebrates her 50th birthday on October 5.

 

 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Bennet, Mangalore

    Mon, Oct 05 2020

    Get well soon Mr Monteiro- you are one of the treasures of Mangalore! We’ve been enriched by your wisdom and wit, and we wish you a quick and complete recovery.
    Best wishes to Primrose as she celebrates her 50th- more power to her!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anthony, Mangalore

    Mon, Oct 05 2020

    Mr. Monteiro wishing you a speedy recovery and wishing your daughter a very happy birthday as well.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rohan, Mangalore

    Mon, Oct 05 2020

    Its just positive thoughts that come through by reading this article, very much the need of the hour. Great encouragement by reassuring good health facilities. A proud father and equally talented daughter duo anybody would want to follow in the footsteps. Get well soon and continue the wonderful work...

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deshbhakt, Mangalore

    Mon, Oct 05 2020

    Hope you have recovered Mr. Monteiro, I wish you a healthy future party of your life. May you live long and able to tell us more stories about our heritage and the institutes that help our Mangalore grow. Well, I forego anything I'm doing, to read your article, the moment I see it and honestly, I enjoy each and every one of them.

    And, oh yes, wishing a pleasant birthday to your daughter. May she achieve greatest heights in the world of journalism.

    Now about the very reputed charitable institution, Fr. Mullers. There may be hardly any person in Mangalore who may not have visited Mullers, whether its for him/herself or to visit an ailing relative. I have visited the place several times because its where you find a lowly family member who can't afford to be admitted to other sophisticated health centers. As you have rightly put, I get carried away with those honey-bee-like staff members who lead you through various steps of your treatment, right from the moment I set foot inside the premises.

    Long live FMCH, please continue the noble service you are doing to the community, to people of Mangalore and to those come to you from outside seeking your very dedicated treatment. A priced landmark and pride of our city.

    DisAgree Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Between two golden landmarks at Father Muller



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.