National Doctors' Day: Talented individuals from Chandigarh tricity who not only make a mark in medicine, but also follow their heart's passion

Sheetal

When Manushi Chhillar took part in Fbb Campus Princess 2016 while pursuing her MBBS degree, who would have thought that the girl would go on to become Miss World 2017! Her interest in modelling made her give up a career in medicine; this National Doctor’s Day, we bring a list of doctors from tricity who have successfully managed to follow their other passions.

Food for soul

Shubham Verma is currently pursuing MD (paediatrics) and has been working continuously throughout the pandemic. He has also become a food connoisseur for friends and family, as he loves to look out for new eating joints and their specialities. He says, “Things have become busy again with studies and duty hours. While working in strenuous enviornment, I found comfort in eating good food. I have always been trying to cook new things and Mexican cuisine is my favourite.”

I promise myself: Take food blogging seriously.

Healing touch

Seerat Sidhu has done the city proud by winning Miss India Union Territory 2022 title and is right now competing for the Miss India pageant 2022. A doctor, she was inspired by Manushi Chhillar’s exemplary feat. She was part of her school choir and discovered her passion for modelling through various inter-college events.

Seerat adds, “I have recently discovered my potential for acting and won a few inter-college drama events. I recently happened to perform an act on the Nirbhaya Case of 2012 as a part of my talent round at Miss India. I aspire to put the knowledge I’ve gained at medical school in the last five years to heal people. Medicine is definitely my calling, my purpose—it’s what I do best. I have, however, come to realise that following my passions enthuses me.”

I promise myself: Never stop chasing my dreams.

Fitness freak

Dr Swapna Misra wears multiple hats. Besides being a competent obstetrician and gynaecologist, Misra is a robotic gynaecological and laparoscopic surgeon. Misra won the title of Mrs Classic International at the Mrs Classic Universe beauty pageant held at Tallin, Estonia, from September 28 to October 2, 2021. She says, “While I have been a fitness freak for a decade now, it was for the first time that I thought of competing in a pageant. My colleagues and family encouraged me to take this big step.”

I promise myself: Encourage women to pursue their hobbies.

Target Olympia

Dentist Mandeep Kaur completed her BDS degree in 2019 and in the second year of her college was introduced to gymming; there has been no looking back since. She says, “It has been three years that I have been preparing and competing for Miss Olympia as bikini athlete. People know me as a fitness enthusiast more than for my profession! And it is also true that I am earning more as a nutrition coach than my career as a dentist.”

I promise myself: I would like to be known as dentist, just the way I am known as a bodybuilder.