65. Joy and Pride when her husband received his M. Sc. Degree!

Thousand Full Moon: Dr. Sushila Ram Sathe (81+).

Contributor: N

Sushila Ram Sathe (Sahasrabuddhe), (interview Oct 14, 2012)

Sushila has been practicing Ayurvedic Medicine for over 55+ years. She devoted to the wellbeing of families of Textile Mill workers in the heart of Mumbai. When I met her she was in great spirits and had many events to recall.  During our conversation her memories revolved mostly around her mother (now 99) and her late husband Dr. Ram Sathe.

When Sushila was young her family had moved from Girgaon in Mumbai to Dadar. Her Father was a school principal and always pushed for modern and non-religious ways for educating children.   Her mother being only 16 years older than her always treated her as a friend and became her mentor.  Sushila had a happy and contented childhood.

After completing her high school, she was accepted for the Ayurvedic (BAMS) degree studies in Potdar College.  Just before the second year examinations, her father passed away very suddenly.  It was a shocking and depressing event in her life. Her mother encouraged her to complete the course work.  With the family now facing a mountain of difficulties her mother rose to the challenge and started working part time at a nursery school. As a result Sushila could complete her BAMS degree successfully.  After graduation and a few years of work in hospitals, it was time to find a suitable groom.  Ram Sathe’s proposal from Bhusaval turned out to be an astrological match.  Sushila traveled to Bhusaval alone (a girl travelling long distances alone was rare in those days) to meet Ram.  The display of independence made her look like a typical ‘forward’ person from a big city.  Sushila was a working girl standing on her own two feet while the "boy," although had exceptionally distinguished academic success till B. Sc., was not financially independent.  She managed the meeting and associated questions-answer session before returning to Mumbai.  She distinctly remembers that Ram’s parents had asked her if she could sing!  She later asked Ram if he was interested in pursuing higher education after marriage and put a condition that in that case he will have to move to Mumbai to which he agreed.

After their marriage Ram and Sushila stayed with her family. Her mother and siblings got along splendidly with Ram.  He started working at Ruparel College, close to home, as a chemistry lab demonstrator, much below his level with a BSc degree, experience, and distinguished educational record.  It however gave him stability and an opportunity to take classes towards a Master's degree.  He studied hard for the course.   After many hardships he reached his goal. She remembers it to be the most memorable, joyous, and proud occasion for her when a Master of Science degree was conferred upon him. 

Although subsequently, he obtained a Ph.D. at Royal Institute of Science in London and later attained dazzling success by attaining distinction and standing first in his class of IAS(Indian Administrative Service) officers that Master's degree which was achieved after many hardships seems to give Sushila a deep rooted joy and satisfaction!