eMagazine June 2023

OUR PEOPLE,
OUR MISSION
Global Health
eMagazine
June 2023
Written by Svanjita Berry, RUSM, MS4
Global Health Elective alumni (February 2023)
Following are two short stories inspired by my global health
experience in India. I was fascinated by the role that religion
played in both instances. It made me reflect on how each one
of us formulate our own realities based on where we are born,
what we see, what we learn, and what we feel throughout the
course of our lives. Our personalities and behaviors are simply a
manifestation of those individual realities interplaying with our
neurobiology.
“Lakshmi”- The Hindu goddess of abundance
Perspective
Global Health Academy
Highlights
Reflections
Welcome
Global Local
Hispanic and Latinx Communities
Voices of Ugandan Students
Global Health Mental Health
Art to Rwmind Us of Who We Can Be
Our Beautiful Planet
Innovation and Technology
Nursing Division
Women’s Health Education
Among the Letters
Announcements
Article of the Month
Video of the Month
Congratulations
Phoro News
Calendar of Events
Resources
Golden threads weaved into her bright red
saree. The saree is draping over her torso and
wrapping over her head covering most of her
face, though one could still see the bright red
‘bindi’ (dot on the forehead) underneath. Her
hands adorned with glass bangles embellished
with tiny rhinestones. Her palms and feet were
painted with ‘alta’ (red dye). As she walked into
the room, her anklets made the most beautiful
clinking sounds. Heads turned in awe as she
made her way through, till she saw an empty
bed and very gracefully sat down with one leg
crossed and the other leg hanging down. Her
hands quickly transitioned into ‘mudras’ (hand
gestures) while she moved her gaze across the
room. “I am Lakshmi” she said. “Tell me more,”
replied the psychiatry intern, while the other
patients continued to stare.
The mortal who married a god
“Lakshmi and Saraswathi (Hindu Goddess of Wisdom)
are trying to ruin my life” said the patient pointing
at her sister and her nurse. “They are jealous of my
marriage with Shiva (Hindu god of destruction and
transformation). “In 1996, I heard Shiva singing Tu Hi
Re.. (a popular love song in the 90s). Since then, we
have been lovers. He would come to me in different
ways, sometimes through my brother’s friend Yogesh
(another name for Shiva). I have never seen him, but
I can hear his voice and feel him. I have attained
supreme pleasure during intercourse with him. I can
feel his ling (penis) penetrating and rubbing against
my yoni (vagina). We have 2 kids together - Ganesh
and Mayur (actual names of Shiva and Gauri’s sons
in Hindu mythology). He guides me on how to live
my life. He protects me from my neighbors and my
sister who are trying to poison me. All the other gods
have tried to kill me before. Vishnu (Hindu god of
preservation) shot poisoned arrows at me and sent
his snakes to fill me with their venom. I could feel the snakes crawl on my skin and the arrows
hurt so bad that I couldn’t move for days. They also tried to slit my throat and I lost my voice for
months. But my Shiva saved me and gave me back my voice. I am Gauri, his wife, and through
him I have the power to destroy the world if I want to.”
How many delusions are too many delusions? I asked myself after this 2-hour-long detailed
patient interview in central rural India. My back had started to hurt from sitting on a tiny metal
stool placed next to the patient bed, but the behavioral health enthusiast in me had refused to
leave. My single sheet of paper was overflowing with my notes and observations. Her medical
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