In conversation with DR. GEETA DUTTA | Q10 | NeSocial

"With all hurdles, there will be moments when we break down and cry. But let’s kick back and give our best."

Hi, I am Dr. Geeta Dutta. I stay at Pub Sarania, Guwahati. I work as the CDMO at Guwahati Refinery Hospital, Noonmati. Apart from this profession, I am a food writer, and I love cooking and clicking pictures. I have a culinary page A foodies' diary on Instagram, where I regularly write about food and post videos of the recipes.

Q.1. Firstly, being a health care worker, what is your current take on the Pandemic sweeping across Assam.

DR. GEETA- This is a very crucial stage. In a hugely populated area, it is hard to make people understand and induce Covid preventive behaviour like masking and social distancing. Convincing people to undergo testing is another challenge. Still, facing all odds we are fighting. Many Covid cases are cured every day but, we have a long way to go, and I guess this war will not be a short-term and an easy one.

Q.2. One change that has impacted how you work at this time of the crisis.

DR. GEETA- My work and focus has completely shifted to Covid care now. Apart from prolonged duty hours at hospital, the rest of my time is totally dedicated to awareness campaigns to prevent Covid and boost the vaccination drive and along with that attending my patients over calls who’s going under home isolation has become a priority which is in fact free of cost and round the clock. Practically speaking, I’m sleeping very less these days, and I don’t have any concrete hours of work. Moreover, there are household chores to look after, but luckily my child and my husband are very supportive.

Q.3. The reason behind your infectious smile and dynamic energy in between your shifts?

DR. GEETA- He He! I don’t know about my infectious smile, but I do have the zeal to fight in all conditions. I have auto-tuned my body and my mind. I whisper to myself, “Yes, it is time for some action”. Worrying won’t solve anything, so better fight. I don’t feel the fatigue when I know I need to deliver. My seniors, my colleagues do inspire me a lot. So, does my father, who has sowed the seeds for me to do something beyond the line. Also, my little girl Emma, she keeps my spirit high all time.

Q.4. Words of advice to the women force, balancing between work and pursuing their hobbies.

DR. GEETA- My only mantra is, do what you really feel like doing. Never force yourself and do not compare. Give your 100% effort at work, also forgive yourself if you are not able to climb ladders all the time. Hobbies and passions are ventilators to let out the best in us. Love yourself for any minuscule thing you do.

Q.5. A situation you faced during this pandemic, that you would remember for a long time.

DR. GEETA- There are many lovely moments to remember, like the time when I get calls from unknown people seeking my help there after leaving such positive notes for me. No wealth can buy those blessings. Recently, a patient from South, who was stranded at Guwahati, had difficult times fighting with Covid under my guidance he was admitted and treated. After he went back, his wife sent such a lovely message thanking us all. May be someday, I might meet the family, maybe we will never meet, but one thing for sure they will always remember us with love. That’s a great blessing for me.

Talking about how we got in touch - #Food :)

DR. GEETA- I don’t need to give extra effort when it comes to culinary trails ,because it’s a passion for me . I love cooking, I love talking about food. Before this Covid pandemic, you will always find me roaming in rural bazaars and exploring food.

Being a doctor, gave another dimension to my culinary journey. I add the healthy element to food. A scientific quest gives logic to what we call healthy food.

Q.7. Are there any plans of doing a cook show onscreen and also one of your favourite food blogger and their speciality.

DR. GEETA- There were many things happening recently actually, but the second wave of Covid dampened it. Let it subside, I will definitely do it. Besides, I’m always active on Instagram, posting my simple homemade traditional food. I have many favourite food bloggers. I love Jamie Oliver. Recently, I have become a fan of Azerbaijani cuisine. I am also a big fan of Alka Jena, who is doyenne of Odia cuisine, Caroline Radhakrishnan, Suresh Hinduja Sir and many more.

Q.8. Source of inspiration behind your cooking.

DR. GEETA- My grandmother! She was the best, I learnt by watching her cook in our fireplace on late winter evenings.

Secondly, my friends and roommates in hostel who would always ask me to cook with whatever things we had. They were like "Borhiya lagile", that works wonder :P

Thirdly, my husband Pranab, who always encourages all of my experiments with food and yes, he is my best critic, alongside Emma.

Last not the least, all the old ladies in our rural bazaars who always teaches me age old rustic recipes and tells me with a smile "bonai khabi ja" ,which means cook and eat.

Q.9. A cuisine that you are waiting to try and cook as soon as things goes back to normalcy.

DR. GEETA- I want to lay my hands on Turkish cuisine , also want to try some Mixology seriously.

Q.10. A social cause that you think and needs urgent attention.

DR. GEETA- At this crucial hour, our older age group needs serious attention . Many of our families are working outside, old parents are at home alone. Shopping, getting medical help is a big problem for them. I wish there are people lending out help to them.

Secondly, spreading Covid awareness mainly in rural areas is the need of hour. Many people don’t go for testing as they consider cold and cough as trivial seasonal issues. Large communities are also at the greater risks of getting infected and if early detection is ignored the chain becomes unbreakable. These are few that I believe, needs urgent attention.

Message for the team NeSocial & your Well wishers-

"Ae Zindagi gale laga le"- Dear life, give me a big hug! Enjoy each and every moment of life, spread positivity around.