Minutes after a serious accident, my brother and two of his friends, both comatose, were deposited at the AIIMS emergency. Within minutes they were swarmed by doctors. Over the next few weeks, they were treated in life-saving ways with complete professionalism. Most impressively, caste, class, connections gained virtually no special benefits, as I saw every patient receive the same amount of time and attention.
What made it even more impressive was the fact that the doctors worked inordinately long hours, treating an endless stream of patients, and all of this for a real pittance. When I parked my Gypsy every morning and walked the tarmac stretch to the neurosurgery wing, I could see them riding in on scooters and bikes: highly-qualified, saving lives, earning a steno's wage.
