Reporter's Diary: When a hospital becomes a second home

So, when given an allday assignment of reporting from outside a leading city hospital where the Chief Minister was admitted on Sept 22, it was not something this reporter had yearned for. But then, was there a choice? On day one, the sad sight of patients, gloomy kin and the distinct odour of hospital antiseptics was overwhelming. It was tough differentiating between patients, hospital staff and the AIADMK party workers who thronged the venue. The job of going to the hospital in the morning at 11 am and staying there for the rest of the day became a routine for this scribe. Politicians, VVIPs, medical experts came and went. 

After a week, the hospital entrance, the corridors from where all scribes were banned, and the building itself became familiar. One morning, an attender from the hospital got friendly. Chatting with this reporter, he said, “We attenders are not allowed to enter even the floor where the CM is under treatment.” Even the policemen became friendly and exchanged pleasantries. One of them even claimed to have a scoop and told this reporter that CM was reading newspapers every morning and was in room number 3000. 

Fifteen days later, this scribe now knows the routine - dawn to dusk. He is familiar with the faces of in-patients, attenders and doctors. He even knows the exact timing of the MD’s arrival and departure. Now, Greams Road and the hospital entrance feel like home.  — Prakash Raghuraman, Chennai