It is rightly said that “Medicines cure diseases, but only doctors can cure patients.” Neharika Malhotra is a Gynecologist and IVF specialist who gives the joy of parenthood almost every day to her patients. Dr. Neharika Malhotra is Infertility Consultant at Rainbow IVF, Agra, and a practicing obstetrician at Malhotra Nursing home. She is also the director of Rainbow Wellness. The doctor is also a mother of two children, her son is 2 years old, and her daughter is 6-year-old.
Dr. Neharika Malhotra tries to balance her life between her demanding profession and taking time for her family and children. She is a very diligent and dedicated doctor who aims to improve medical services in her city Agra and spread awareness about the ‘Save the Girl Child’ Campaign.
Dr. Neharika Malhotra is currently the Youngest Chairperson of the FOGSI Young Talent Promotion Committee 2020-2022 and Executive Member of the Society of Fetal Medicine 2020. She also served FOGSI as Joint Secretary in 2018. The doctor is the director of the NGO Smriti, which works towards women’s empowerment and upliftment in our society. She is also a part-time blogger and has co-authored many books in obstetrician-gynecology.
ICY Tales is in conversation with Dr. Neharika Malhotra about her journey and life as a doctor.
Q) Would you like to tell us something about your childhood? Was becoming a doctor always the aim?
Neharika Malhotra – I am from a family of doctors with my great grandfather and a doctor. We have a maternity home in Agra which is 65 years old now. Till my 10th class, I never wanted to become a doctor though I still took biology because I was good at it. Maybe seeing my whole family work so hard, I wanted a little easier life. But soon realized I was born for a purpose, and that’s all I know.
I now love being a doctor. I have done my MBBS from Pune and my MD from Wardha. Then I did a fellowship in ultrasound and a fellowship in reproductive medicine. Later I went to Singapore, Germany, and London to learn more. And now I am back in Agra and settled here, intending to improve services in my city.
Q) Doctors have a hectic life. What is it that you do when you have some time off?
Neharika Malhotra – Yes, doctors have a busy life, and it’s tough to balance it all. Striking a balance between your work and personal life is not an easy job, especially for working women. Whenever I get some time off, it’s dedicated to my children. Apart from that, I also run an NGO and give whatever time I have to work for it. I have worked a lot during the last few years to save the girl child initiative with awareness drives and camps.
Every January, our NGO takes out a rally with slogans of girl children in Agra to create an impact on this issue. We also work for the environment and frequently do tree plantation drives all over Agra. I really enjoy being a Doctor and always try and Focus on the sunny side. Effective time management is key to work-life balance.
Q) Sometimes, your work can get a little overwhelming. What do you do to cope with the same?
Neharika Malhotra – Very difficult to answer, but spirituality helped me a lot during my difficult times. Life has its ups and downs, and during those tough times, bow your head and stay steady and let that time pass off. The pressure of balancing family and work commitment is enormous. Not spending enough time/ daily inattention over the years is detrimental to the parent-child relationship.
My children are a constant source of my energy, and they give me immense strength to keep going ahead. Being a single working mom is not easy, and hats off to all single parents. I count my blessings each day and stay focused on them. I love to paint, but I don’t get time to do it.
Q) What is your idea of success? What has been the most significant milestone in your journey so far?
Neharika Malhotra – For me, success is being happy in what I m doing. I love my work, and I love my NGO. My journey has been good, and I am currently the youngest chairperson of FOGSI (an organization of 37k gynecologists). Also been recently awarded the humanitarian award 2022. I believe in this particular thing a lot – ‘Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.’
Q)What is the one thing you wish more people knew about you?
Neharika Malhotra – I am an open person, and I genuinely like to care for people around me. I have worked hard to be where I am. It hurts me tremendously when people are not truthful. Also, I know there are no shortcuts to anything In life.
Q)What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a doctor?
Neharika Malhotra – A doctor’s life is very hard, especially when things are against us. Doctors are also humans, and people can be really insensitive towards doctors.
Q) According to you, what is the best and worst part about being a doctor?
Neharika Malhotra – The best part is holding a newborn baby as a part of my day-to-day routine. The smiles and cries make it worth all the night duties and time away from family. The worst part is the negativity around doctors happening these days.
Q) What are your views about the NEET examination in India?
Neharika Malhotra – I am still confused about how these exams are helping us. It was intended not only to standardize medical admissions in terms of merit but also to curb the capitation fee menace, but I don’t think it’s solved that purpose. Also, I m totally against the reservation system in our education, and I feel it should go for the country’s overall growth.
Q) Lastly, who has been your constant support and pillar during challenging times?
Neharika Malhotra – My constant support has been my family- my parents and brother.
Neharika Malhotra is an empathetic doctor who makes patients feel cared for, and her patients feel that they are in safe hands. The best doctors are willing to go the extra mile for their patient’s well-being, and Neharika Malhotra is doing her best. Dr. Neharika Malhotra ended the conversation with her favorite quote – ‘The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds. ― Dalai lama’
Last Updated on by Sathi