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 On
the kerb and under the shade of a sprawling tree near
Panagal Park, T. Nagar, you are greeted by a strange sight.
A few folding chairs are spread, occupied by patients
waiting for their doctor to administer homeopathic
medicine, to alleviate their pain. Yes, it is a clinic
without walls and the purpose of the clinic is singularly,
Service.
Dr. Gopalakrishna, even at his advanced age, is a
determined man who, for more than two decades, has been
coming daily, come rain or shine, to his "Clinic" to serve
his dear patients. Due to old age, he now advises his
disciple and successor Ms. Rita, on treatment specifics, by
gestures, which can be deciphered only by her.
His patients range from the very poor to the very rich. No
fee is demanded of any patient. And any fee, however
little, offered by a patient is welcome, to enable the
doctor to plough it back into buying medicines, (which
again are distributed to many patients, who are very poor
and cannot afford even a small fee).
Dr Gopalakrishna is an interesting, multifaceted
personality. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, he came to
Chennai in 1963. About 25 years ago, he resided with the
famous Koochipoodi dance exponent and guru Vempati Chinna
Satyam (whose Koochipoodi Dance Academy was situated on
Prakasam Road).
During visits he used to prescribe and distribute
homeopathic medicines to students and friends of Vempati
Chinna Satyam. However, when the academy had to vacate and
move to its own premises, Dr Gopalakrishna decided to
continue his service, sitting on the pavement, so that his
patients could always find him. Thus started the unique
open-air clinic. Today, the chairs that line the "clinic"
are believed to have been donated by some patients.
The success and recognition of being a unique doctor has
only accentuated his desire to serve and continue to serve,
without expecting any monetary benefit.
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