This paper featured an uplifting report about Paralympic table tennis silver medallist Bhavina Patel. This wheelchair-bound para-athlete, who is a Central government employee working in Ahmedabad, won a silver medal in women’s table tennis at the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020.
She was recently in Mumbai to deliver a motivational speech to schoolgirls. Patel’s address was replete with examples and anecdotes from her life. From being afflicted with polio as a one-year-old to the taunts she faced on her life’s journey, it was a moving story about fighting setbacks and depression with courage and, most of all, unwavering self-belief.
There were many takeaways from her speech, but one standout statement Patel made was about the dangers of superstition and blind belief. After she was afflicted with polio at one, having been born in a small place in Gujarat, her parents were discouraged from seeking treatment for their daughter. In fact, a family member stopped them, citing superstition. As a result, her polio progressed until she was confined to a wheelchair.
Patel emphasized the importance of always seeking scientific solutions or explanations rather than turning to superstition. While faith in the divine and taking solace in worship is one thing, in medical cases, it is crucial to trust the expertise of doctors.
Doctors themselves have repeatedly warned about the dangers of superstition, which can hinder medical treatment or care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they urged people to follow scientific guidance rather than resort to false cures, as delayed medical attention often proved fatal.
The message is clear: do not cave in to pressure or inane beliefs. In the end, science is our logical saviour and must triumph over superstition.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/choose-medical-science-above-superstition-always-23596947