Ranks Galore! Bagging 16 Ranks from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS)-Bengaluru, Vallish Shenoy is a Proud MBBS Graduate of A J Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre
Mangaluru: As a journo, I have covered various graduation ceremonies of Institutions in the City, ranging from Medical, Engineering, Nursing etc, but never had witnessed an individual student receiving accolades for bagging nearly 16 ranks in MBBS from a prestigious and renowned University in Bengaluru. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka a premier Health Science University in India encompasses all the existing health science colleges and institutions which were earlier affiliated to the conventional universities in Karnataka with a purpose of ensuring proper and systematic instruction, teaching, training and research in modern and Indians systems of medicine. The product of medical and health science professional education was to meet the societal needs for better healthcare. Hence, RGUHS had the vision to bring in uniformity in the standards of teaching and have a common curriculum for the various courses offered in different colleges across Karnataka.
And to get a rank from this prestigious University, and that too 16 ranks are something to be proud of and to be cherished. And for that matter we have young, smart and genius Vallish Shenoy, who graduated from A J Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Mangaluru in MBBS, by not only getting one or two ranks from RGUHS, instead bagged 16 ranks to be the second student of AJIMS to match that record, which was attained by yet another MMBS student of AJIMS four years ago. Wow- simply unbelievable appearing for the toughest medical examinations and cracking with stunning 16 ranks, thereby surprising everyone with his superb performance during the Graduation Ceremony held at AJIMS on 9 March 2019.
This young Kudla boy says he owes his success to his Uncle and his Sister who drove him to pursue his studies in Medicine, while his ambition was to join the Armed forces in the beginning. Son of Vishnu Shenoy, a retired Bank officer from Canara Bank, and Mamatha Shenoy, a Home-Maker, Vallisha has an elder sister, Dr Vishaka Shenoy (MBBS MD), who is an Anatomist in Kollam, Kerala. Having done his early schooling at Canara School, Urwa; high school at Canara High School, Dongerekere, and PUC at Canara PUC, Mangaluru, Vallish joined AJIMS to pursue his studies in medicine, in the batch 2015-2019.
Yes, Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference” had said Arie Pencovici. A graduation ceremony is a pageant celebrating the transition from student to graduate and marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their life. And among the 177 graduates belonging to A J Institute of Medical Sciences- Kuntikan, Mangaluru, all dressed to thrill in their graduation gowns, and who were about to receive their certificates and medals beaming with smiles and pride, was our young “DOCTOR” to be Vallish Shenoy, during the Graduation Day.
The day belonged to the graduates, to bask in the glory of their achievement of attaining the coveted prefix ‘Dr’ in front of their names, and Vallish was one among them to have that privilege. As it is said, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. An attitude of absoluteness is the basis for everything. A star is formed out of the cloud of cool, dense molecular gas. In order for it to become a potential star, the cloud needs to collapse and increase density. But from all those pressure, their dazzling brilliance never fails to stand out and shine across unimaginable distances for myriads of years.
And this smart and genius Vallish Shenoy resembled that of a Star-who has now graduated with pride and dignity as an MBBS graduate, but, full of gratefulness. However, this journey brought about many challenges, like decisions to be made and feelings to be nurtured. And on the Graduation Day, Vallish had made a big achievement, who had committed to and succeeded in completing one of the most challenging modes of study. He brought immense joy to His Alma mater, and most of all, to his teachers and especially, his parents.
India’s former President Late APJ Abdul Kalam once said, “Dreams is not what you see in sleep, but is the thing which doesn’t let you sleep”- and when it was time to honor all the graduates with a medal and graduation certificate, the STAR attraction of the evening was Vallish Shenoy, who took home the highest number of certificates and medals, amidst loud applaud from the audience. The President’s Gold Medal, instituted by the Institute president, Dr. A J Shetty is conferred to The Toppers of the Batch and the best outgoing students of the graduating batch every year, and that “President’s Gold Medal for Overall 1st topper”went to Dr Vallish Shenoy. Apart from this President’s Gold Medal, the recipient of the gold medal for Highest marks in General Surgery by Dean Dr Ashok Hegde; and Gold medal for Highest mark in General Medicine by Dr Ramesh Pai went to Dr Vallish Shenoy respectively.
Dr Vallish also bagged most of the top ranks in MBBS of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences- Overall 1st Rank in II MBBS (Gold Medal) , Overall 1st Rank in III MBBS (Gold Medal), Overall 1st Rank in IV MBBS (Gold Medal), Overall 1st Rank in 1st to 4th MBBS (Gold Medal), 1st Rank in Pathology ( 2 Gold Medals), 1st Rank in Microbiology (Gold Medal), 1st Rank in Pharmacology (Gold Medal), 1st Rank in Forensic Medicine (Gold Medal , 1st Rank in Ophthalmology, 1st Rank in General Medicine, 3rd Rank in Paediatrics, 4th Rank in General Surgery, 5th Rank in OBG, 6th Rank in Community Medicine, 8th Rank in Biochemistry, and 9th Rank in ENT. Wow, Isn’t he a genius DOCTOR or what?
Not only shinning in his medical academic career, but Vallish has also been bagging various prizes in quiz contests at the National level quiz on Surgery, Paediatric, General medicine, Para-Clinical, Emergency Medicine at AIMES Delhi. He has also completed the Junior Exams in Classical Music, and apart from that, he is a very good singer. His hobbies are Reading, watching sports, playing cricket, stamps and coins collecting, a big fan of history books, visiting museums, parks and gardens.
When asked who was his inspiration to pursue his studies in medicine, he said that it was his uncle Dr Bhasker Shenoy and his sister Dr Vishaka Shenoy who convinced and motivated him to take up medicine career, when he was interested in joining the armed forces being active in NCC during his school and college days. ” I think I took the right decision taking the advise from my Uncle and sister, but I never thought that I would reach to such greater heights, but my aim is to be a good and caring doctor. After I finish all my super specialty in Neurology, I want to work in the rural areas taking care of the people there. I intend to start my own clinic or hospital, and also simultaneously work at a renowned hospital. I want to follow my passion and not be selfish for money,” said Vallish.
Being in the 950 spot at the national level, and 20 spot in the state, Vallish is all set to take up the NEET-PG 2109 exams in Delhi, and his only dream is to get a seat at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. Since there are only four seats allotted every year in NIMHANS, Vallish says that he is 90% sure of getting a seat there, and 10% is pure luck? His other choice if he does not succeed in getting into NIMHANS, will be MANC-Delhi under Delhi Govt; and CMC-Vellore under Tamil Nadu govt.
Complimenting on Vallish’s achievement, Dr Francis Monteiro- Vice Dean at AJIMS, and having taught Vallish on Forensic Medicine said, “Vallish Shenoy is no doubt the best outgoing student of 2013-2014 batch. This comes as no surprise to me as I had the pleasure of teaching and observing him. I had heard about his Calibre from various Professors and colleagues of First MBBS subjects. When this batch graduated into the second year I had the pleasure of teaching him myself. He was always keen on the subject and interested in acquiring new knowledge in Forensic Medicine. He would visit post class hours with various interesting questions”.
“I particularly recall his enthusiastic participation in ‘Compos Mentis’ National Forensic Quiz conducted annually at Manipal. Vallish impressed everyone present with his ability to answer questions which were found hard even by postgraduate students themselves. This enthusiasm and zeal for education were carried on and improved by Vallish. It came as no surprise to me that he became the best outgoing student. If ever there is a role model for studies I would suggest everyone to look up to Vallish. He is a pride for this college and I am proud to call myself his teacher. Wish him every success in his future endeavours and career’ added Dr Monteiro.
Dr Vallish Shenoy seen with (L-R) Dr Francis Monteiro Vice Dean AJIMS / Prof in Forensic Medicine and Dr Nagraj Shetty Prof in General Medicine
Also commending Vallish’s accomplishments was his professor in General Medicine Dr Nagraj Shetty who said, “I have known this young man Vallish for the last five years since he entered the portals of this great institution. From the very first year, he proved his mettle and showed his excellence thereafter in all subjects he studied during his medical career. He is indeed a genius, and no doubt he was a big asset to this institution. All I could say is that Vallish has been a dedicated, committed and intelligent student that I have come across so far, and he deserved to be on Top in receiving all these ranks, which not only brought honors to his Alma mater, his parents and also to all of his teachers. I feel proud that he was my student, and I will cherish his achievement very fondly and memorably. Best of luck in his future PG career”.
Finally, when asked “What a good doctor should be?”, Vallish said, “A good doctor should be confident, independent, help and serve others, and always try to be a good human being. Keep the patients always as the first priority, and then think of how to earn revenue. Respect people, healthy or ill, regardless of who they are. Support patients and their loved ones when and where they are needed; Promote health as well as treat disease; Always ask courteous questions, let people talk, and listen to them carefully; Give unbiased advice, let people participate actively in all decisions related to their health and health care, assess each situation carefully, and help whatever the situation; Use evidence as a tool, not as a determinant of practice; humbly accept death as an important part of life; and help people make the best possible arrangements when death is close; Work cooperatively with other members of the healthcare team; and Be proactive advocates for their patients, mentors for other health professionals, and ready to learn from others, regardless of their age, role, or status”.
Team Mangalorean wishes Dr Vallish Shenoy all success in his future medical career, and pray that he would be a GOOD DOCTOR to serve the Rich and Poor alike, irrespective of caste, age, religion or Status!