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| Dr.C.R.Soman, ‘Health Action By People’, Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram |
Question: name the doctor who has been the pioneering quiz master of Kerala, one who has been at the job ever since Thiruvananthapuram Doordarshan started the programme in 1985? Answer: Dr.C.R.Soman, who now heads the NGO, ‘Health Action By People’, dedicated to activism in the healthcare sector.
Son of C.I.Raman Nair, a Malayalam Professor and Karthyayani Amma, a litterateur, Dr.Soman inherited from his parents, friendship with books in addition to social awareness and respect for knowledge. After completing MBBS in 1962 and MD in Biochemistry in 1966, he chose teaching, as the profession was conducive to reading, learning and research.
A further qualification of M.Sc. in Applied Nutrition from Osmania University prepared him for a post-graduation in Nutrition from London with a WHO fellowship. While studying at Osmania, he was recognized as one who could talk authoritatively on any subject. His vast reading was to became a boon when he started donning the role of a quizmaster.
Since retirement from Medial College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1993, Dr.Soman has been active in the healthcare field with his ‘Health Action By People’. In addition to the awareness campaigns against smoking, the organization is involved in a programme for improving medical education from the point of public health. Funded by the Dryphus Health Foundation, USA, the programme is being implemented in partnership with the Community Medicine Department of Medical Colleges.
‘Health Action By People’ runs 2 labs where the public can get clinical tests done at reasonable fees.
His debut as a quizmaster on the small screen was accidental. When Doordarshan planned to start quiz in 1985, they had selected a Vice Chancellor to conduct the show. However, as there developed certain controversy on his questions, Dr.Soman was pressed into the job 2 days before transmission was to begin.
Since then he has been a regular presence on this programme.
Courtesy:
Biju.C.P (text), S.L.Anand (photo), Mathrubhumi Arogya Masika, March 2006
Contributed by: Administrator
