(Citation by Dr. C. Balakrishnan at IRACON 2009, Pune: Dr. M. N. Passy award for distinguished services)
I met Dr VR Joshi for the first time in 1991. I was training for my post graduation in Pune and he was the chair for an update in rheumatology. It so happened that one of the speakers could not make it and the organizers requested him to speak. For the next 30 minutes he mesmerized all of us, and the topic was "The clinical utility of ESR".
After completing my post graduation I joined him as a trainee at Hinduja Hospital. During the last 16 years I have been fortunate to have observed many qualities in Dr V.R Joshi, academic and personal those have stood out.
The thirst for the subject of medicine is at the forefront. To the extent that, after a tiring day's works, which would often end at 11pm, he would be back at 7.30 am for the next day's rounds. He would have had the time to come up with the answers for the difficult questions posed by the patients the day before. There was no doubt that at least this professor worked harder than his registrars. Even today, when you visit his office, you will find the table issue of Lancet or NEJM that has been read and underlined.
I have no doubt that he is the best clinician I have worked with. His approach to rheumatology is well known, but what is not known is that his knowledge of internal medicine, especially neurology is better than that of some of the experts. The radiologists even today shudder when he takes an x-ray to discuss with them, worried that he has picked up something that they had missed.
He has been a motivator and teacher par excellence. At least 16 residents who have worked under him are now practicing rheumatology both in India and abroad. He has this wonderful god given ability of making complicated things simple.
I am not qualified to talk regarding his personal qualities but have to do the job given to me. His integrity is unquestionable; his hard work is legendary. For many years he has had only a few chapattis and boiled vegetables as daily intake! He is the most efficient machine known to me, where output far exceeds input! He comes across as a pleasant and soft individual who would hate to argue, but believe me, I am yet to see someone so stubborn when he is convinced regarding something. In short, he is like a mango - soft on the outside but extremely hard on the inside.
Money has never been a major player in his equation. For his experience, wisdom and fame, he could easily have asked for the sky and would possibly have got it. Simplicity is evident. Because of this, whilst on rounds, patients have mistaken the resident for the Boss!.
I would like to narrate a personal discussion I had with him regarding life. This was a few years ago when both of us had gone to Baroda for a CME. He told me that secret of happiness is contentment, and to be content the person's wants in life should be minimal. He still does not possess a car or even a cell-phone. Another incredible quality that he has is a sense of balance. He is neither very happy nor very sad. This equanimity is mind boggling.
I would like to end this citation with a Sanskrit Shloka which explains all that he means to us:
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwarah. Guru Shakshath Parabrahma Tasmaishree Guruve Namah.
(Courtesy: Dr. C. Balakrishnan, Rheumatologist, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai)