Don’t opt for medical profession to make money, do it with an aim to serve people: Dr. Safwan Ahmed
An interview with the recepient of Best Post-Graduate Resident in Neurology - 2019 award at NIMHANS
Managaluru's Dr. Safwan Ahmed was on Monday, September 16, awarded with Dr. Anisya Vasanth Memorial Award for the Best Post-Graduate Resident in Neurology -2019.
The event was attended by Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Union Health Minister Dr. Harshvardhan, MP PC Mohan, Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Rajiv Gowda, Institute's Director Dr. B N Gangadhar and other dignitaries.
Son of Late Ahmed Hussain and Tasleem of Kaikamba near Mangaluru, Dr. Safwan did most of his schooling in Bajpe. He finished his primary schooling in Popular School Bajpe and high schooling from St. Joseph School Bajpe. He did his PU at St. Aloysius College in Mangaluru and managed to secure a merit Medical seat in KMC Mangaluru with good rank in CET exam.
After MBBS, Safwan completed his MD from Mysore Medical College in General Medicine. There he secured overall sixth rank in Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and topped the Bengaluru-Mysuru Division of the university during the course and was awarded with the gold medal. Dr Safwan, then joined NIMHANS ( National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) to pursue to do DM in neurology. He has now successfully completed this super speciality with flying colors.
His wife, Dr Fathima Raeesa is doing her post graduate studies in Radiology at KMC, Mangaluru.
Dr. Safwan spoke to Vartha Bharati and shared his success story. During the interview, Safwan termed his latest achievement as a dream come true.
Excerpts:
What motivated you to take medicine as your career?
I was always fascinated with medicine and the profession right from my childhood. Whenever I used to visit doctors, I used to tell myself that I should get into this profession. Moreover, it was also the dream of my parents that at least one among their children should pursue medicine. Every time my father and I passed by Kasturba Medical College in Mangaluru, my father would express his wish for me to study here. So all of these drove me to this field.
How did your family support you in your journey?
My father passed away when I was in first PU. He had supported me all the while. And even after his passing away I never had to seek help from anyone for my studies. He had made all the arrangements for my future studies. He had made sure that there are no hurdles regarding my fees and other requirements. My mother, brother and all my family members have been of great help too.
How did you tackle your strong and weak areas as a student?
By God's grace, i have a sharp memory . That helped me in keeping pace with my academics. My weak area were few subjects like social. I was not very keen or interested in studying the subject. I used to generally go through it and manage it.
What are your hobbies? Did you have enough time to develop them?
To be honest I don’t have any such time consuming hobbies. I would just play some sport whenever I used to get some time. Not regularly. I play, just when I feel like going and taking some time out.
What factors would you attribute your success to?
I will attribute my success to all my family members who stood by me all throughout the journey. My mother, father, brother and my wife. I got married last year and my wife has been a great source of support for me.
What is your message/advice to youngsters who want to make it big in the medical field?
Those who are interested to enter the medical field as their career, they should first understand the seriousness of it. They should commit themselves and make up their mind. Because, when you enter the medical field, there will be a lot of academic pressure. It is not a cakewalk. And to make it big in this field you will have to struggle, study for at least 10-12 years before coming into the profession. I started medical studies in 2005 and studied for 14 years before starting my profession. We should not be here to earn money. Our goal should be helping people and rendering service to the needy.
Now that you have joined Father Mullers Hospital as a consultant neurologist, what are your plans?
Well, I want to set up a unit of Cognitive Neurosciences wherein we can thoroughly understand and treat people suffering from dementia. Cognitive Neuroscience is something where you spend time with the patients, their family and understand them. We need to counsel the family members also to handle the patient well. I am planning to open this unit here.
Vartha Bharati Bureau Chief Pushparaj B.N. handing over memento to Dr. Safwan Ahmed at 'Vartha Bharati' office. Kannada News Editor BM Basheer was also present.
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Nicobar Tribal Council Alleges FRA Violations in Great Nicobar Wildlife Sanctuaries
Sri Vijaypuram (Port Blair): The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar has alleged fresh violations of the Forest Rights Act in the notification of three wildlife sanctuaries linked to the Centre’s ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island project, even as the Calcutta High Court is set to hear petitions challenging the mega project over similar concerns next month.
The Union government had, in October 2022, notified three wildlife sanctuaries in parts of Little Nicobar Island, Menchal Island and Meroe Island for the conservation of leatherback turtles, megapodes and coral ecosystems. The move came after the government acknowledged that the proposed infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island would affect coral colonies and nesting habitats of endangered species.
However, the tribal council has maintained that the sanctuaries were declared without consultation with the Nicobarese communities who traditionally inhabit and manage these islands.
In a letter dated April 23 addressed to the Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Nicobar Forest Division, the council reiterated its opposition to the sanctuaries and objected to the formation of a committee to determine eco-sensitive zones around the protected areas.
The council said its chairman had not been consulted before being included in the committee and was informed of his membership only a month after the committee was constituted.
The three notified sanctuaries include the Leatherback Turtle Sanctuary in parts of Little Nicobar Island, the Megapode Sanctuary covering the entire Menchal Island and the Coral Sanctuary spanning the whole of Meroe Island.
According to the council, Menchal and Meroe islands hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Nicobarese community, which believes the islands are inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors.
The council demanded that the sanctuary notifications be revoked and the eco-sensitive zone committee dissolved, alleging that both decisions were taken against the wishes of the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh has written to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram alleging violations of the Forest Rights Act in the process of obtaining consent for diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project.
Ramesh argued that consent should have been obtained through the Tribal Council representing the Nicobarese communities instead of through Gram Sabhas representing settler families. He also questioned how the government-controlled Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti could provide consent on behalf of the Shompen community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
He urged the Tribal Affairs Ministry to intervene and seek withdrawal of clearances granted for the project under the Forest Rights Act.
Earlier, Ramesh had also written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav alleging that environmental impact studies for the project were conducted in haste and without the detailed seasonal assessments mandated under environmental laws.
The dispute dates back to 2022 when the Andaman and Nicobar administration initiated the process for notifying the three sanctuaries before holding Special Gram Sabhas for diversion of forest land linked to the Great Nicobar project.
In May that year, the administration invited objections and claims regarding the proposed sanctuaries. Subsequently, on July 19, the Nicobar Deputy Commissioner certified that no objections or claims had been received.
The tribal council later wrote to the district administration stating that the notification process was carried out without ensuring that residents of Little Nicobar Island were informed as required by law. It alleged that no public announcements seeking objections were made in villages such as Bahua, Muhincoihn and Kiyang, whose residents traditionally use and manage parts of the notified areas.
The council said the Nicobarese community had protected the islands and wildlife for generations through customary practices and traditional belief systems.
It further argued that the sanctuaries would interfere with long-standing rights over forests and coastal areas. They noted that these areas are used for rituals, plantations, collection of forest produce, construction of huts and canoes, harvesting medicinal plants and worship.
In November 2024, the council objected to draft Island Coastal Regulation Zone plans, demanding basic infrastructure, instead of proposed eco-tourism activities in the sanctuaries. The council demanded better public restrooms, jetties, water facilities, pathways, and mobile connectivity.
The Nicobar administration issued a clarification in May 2025, stating that the sanctuaries would not affect hunting rights available to Scheduled Tribes in the Nicobar Islands. The council, however, rejected the clarification, stating that their dependence on forests and coasts extended far beyond hunting activities.
Earlier this month, a Bench led by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the Union government against petitions challenging the diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project. The matter has now been listed for final hearing in June.
