ZOOM | February 22, 2022

Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP for Thiruvananthapuram, released the memoir of Pallium India’s Chairman, Dr M. R. Rajagopal, on February 22, 2022. The launch event of “Walk with the weary: Lessons in humanity in health care” was attended by Sharada Muradeedharan IAS, Secretary, Local Self Government, Government of Kerala, and Premachandra Kurup IAS, Pallium India’s beneficiary Preetha Thonnakkal and others.

The event, organized at Pallium India’s headquarters, was streamed live via ZOOM as well as on Pallium India’s Facebook page, and was attended by over 300 people from across the globe.

Releasing the memoir, Dr. Tharoor said, “This is an exceptionally readable book, written in a very lucid and free-flowing style. I am in awe of Dr. Rajagopal, who has shared his experiences in living and dealing with patients receiving end-of-life care, with humility and modesty.”

“It’s sad when we see the pain and suffering people go through, something that is completely unnecessary,” he added. “The dying must be allowed to leave this world with dignity, grace and peace.”

Reading out a passage from the book, which gave a glimpse of what to expect in the memoir, Dr, Rajagopal said, “Healthcare systems these days do not provide healthcare. Ninety-six per cent of the 10 million Indians who suffer from serious illnesses have no access to pain relief. On the other hand, 55 million Indians needing hospital admissions suffer catastrophic healthcare expenses in the process of their treatment.”

Sharada Muradeedharan shared her experiences while dealing with her father’s illness when, she first came into contact with Dr. Rajagopal. “He and his team were instrumental in calming us and helping us deal with the panic we as a family were going through.”

Preetha Thonnakkal, a Pallium India beneficiary received the first copy of the book.

Sign language interpretation was done for online viewers by Vinayachandran B.S.

Pallium India Chief Executive Officer Raj Kalady delivered the opening remarks, where he thanked Dr Rajagopal for being a great inspiration. Sister Reshma Sreekumar thanked the guests and the participants for attending and making the launch a success. Manisha Mary Marshal coordinated the event.

‘Walk with the Weary’ is a compilation of shared experiences from Dr Rajagopal’s decades-long palliative care journey, walking with people suffering from life limiting illnesses, and lessons learned on how to befriend life until the very end, with compassionate care on one’s side.

The book is dedicated to all those who generously shared their life stories with the author. All proceeds from the sale of the book goes towards providing palliative care to people who desperately need it but have no access to it.

Every difficult journey is made easier when there is someone to walk beside you. A thorny path, a shaky bridge, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle – all of these may be crossed when there is a helping hand or an able guide. Serious illness is such a journey. No matter the territory, we would all benefit from being prepared.

This book serves as a map, preparing you for a journey you may be called to make.

The publishers, Notion Press are offering 45% discount as a launch offer for the first 150 orders. To avail this discount, please purchase a print copy on NotionPress store. Please use the coupon code PALLIATIVCARE.

Walk with the weary: Lessons in humanity in health care by Dr M. R. Rajagopal is available in paperback and ebook formats and can be purchased from these online bookstores:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09RPCKS8K

Flipkart: https://www.flipkart.com/walk-with-the-weary/p/itm8eff6b6ea22f5

Notion Press Publishers: https://notionpress.com/read/walk-with-the-weary

We request you to kindly post a review after reading the book, as it will add visibility to the memoir and help reach it to more readers who could benefit from the stories in it.

For more information, please contact: info@palliumindia.org / 97467 45497

Media coverage about the event. Read more at https://palliumindia.org/2022/02/past-news-articles

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