The Legacy of Dr. Saramma John: The Powerful Healing Light (Motivational Story 1)

Saramma’s Childhood

In a small village in Kerala, nestled among lush green fields and flowing rivers, there lived a young girl named Saramma. She was born in 1911 on July 25th in a middle class family. 

Saramma’s mother had instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and a fierce determination to make a difference in the world. Rain or shine, she never complained about the 12 kms she had to walk everyday to go to school.  She was a bright student. 

She was a dreamer who dared. Soon, her dreams went beyond the boundaries of her village. She longed to become a doctor, to heal the sick and alleviate the suffering of those in need. And so, with unwavering resolve and boundless courage, she set out on a journey that would take her far from home.

Saramma’s Journey For Education

Leaving behind her family and the familiar sights and sounds of her village, Saramma embarked on a path filled with challenges and obstacles. She joined Christian Medical College, Ludhiana for Medical Education. She travelled to distant lands, where she studied tirelessly, honed her skills, and earned her medical degree through sheer determination and hard work.

Most of her classmates were foreigners or from north of India. Her friends recalled how courageous she was back then when a snake entered their hostel room and how she chased it away.

After completing her education, she practised there for two years. Despite offers of lucrative positions in prestigious hospitals and clinics, she knew where her heart truly belonged. She felt a calling, a deep-rooted desire to return to her village and serve the people who had shaped her into the person she had become.

Dr. Saramma Returns

With the same sense of purpose that had guided her on her journey, Saramma returned to her village, not as a doctor seeking fame or fortune, but as a healer seeking to make a difference in the lives of her people. She began her practice  at a private clinic and practised there for 2 years. At the age of 34, she got married to M.C John Vaidyan, an ayurvedic doctor and started practising with him.

Saramma Doctor- “The Beacon Of Hope”

In the years that followed, Dr. Saramma became a beacon of hope and healing in her community. With her gentle demeanour, compassionate heart, and unparalleled dedication, she transformed the lives of countless individuals, curing their diseases, easing their pain, and restoring their health and vitality.

During that time, most people of the village were poor and could not pay a lot for medical treatment. People from distant places came to her for treatment and she treated them free of cost. Cholera became an epidemic then and she visited innumerous houses to treat patients. There was a little boy who was too sick and only because of her timely intervention he was saved. In another instance, a 4 year old girl whose lower body was burned by hot oil was treated and completely cured by her.

Dr. Saramma’s  impact extended far beyond the walls of her clinic. She became a trusted advisor and a beloved friend to all who knew her. Her presence brought comfort to the weary, solace to the troubled, and inspiration to the hopeless. It didn’t matter whether it was day or night, or whether her patients were near or far, whenever an emergency medical help was required, she always showed up.

She lived at a time when specializations in medicine were not common. She practiced the role of a physician, obstetrician, dentist, dermatologist, orthopedic and a chemist from time to time.

And though her journey had taken her far from home, she had never forgotten her roots. She remained deeply connected to her village, pouring her heart and soul into the work she loved, and leaving behind a legacy that would endure for generations to come.

A Memoir On Dr. Saramma

Today, as the sun sets over the horizon and the stars twinkle in the night sky, the people of the village still reminisce about how she made herself available every time she was needed and how she cured or saved them.

Many people repeat the stories of  how she travelled by  boat and came in the middle of night to deliver their baby. For some it is the way she pulled out the painful decayed tooth and for another it’s the way she saved her daughter from pain by pulling out a needle that had pricked deep in her daughter’s thigh. Though she has passed on, her spirit lives on, a guiding light in the darkness, reminding us all that with courage, compassion, and determination, anything is possible.

Over the years, I have been deeply inspired by her story of determination and a vision to change the lives of people in her village without expecting any monetary benefits. God had revealed the purpose of her life at an early age and she had the courage to follow God’s plan. It’s my privilege to proudly say that Dr.Saramma John was none other than my beloved grandmother. With immense gratitude, I am here following her vision to make a change in people’s lives.

A Vision Forward

 I believe that when our thoughts are pure, with the  right intention, all our efforts will be fruitful. A meaningful and clear vision is all that is needed. With sheer determination, compassion and a mind to serve and impart knowledge, one will make a mark in this world. To help and to motivate others will be a deeply satisfying journey of  giving back to society.

It will be a beautiful journey similar to what my grandmother had, where she continued to learn, practice and experience the joy of serving people. In today’s fast-paced world, it is essential for us to give back to our society to minimize the divide between rich and poor and to create a harmonious, healthy and inspiring community of people. I would like to create a positive impact in the minds of mothers and help them feel better about themselves and take care of their health and  contribute to their families in a positive manner.