Why do some people take up the medical profession-or indeed, embrace it? Is it for monetary gain? Or for achieving fame or earning respect from the community? Or-what should be the numero uno reason-to heal people? And, who is a doctor? The specialist sitting in his air-conditioned office, backed by the latest technology and with cutting-edge knowledge? Or the general practitioner who, as jack of all trades but master of none, has to achieve proficiency in a wide variety of subjects? Or a village or barefoot doctor who has to surmount odds of all sorts?