A Teacher, A Student… and a Lifelong Learning Journey
In 1990, nearly a decade after completing my MD in Pediatrics, I had the opportunity to learn anthropometry, growth indices, growth charts, and percentile charts under the guidance of Dr. Phadke Madam. This learning was part of my PhD (Pediatrics) thesis work, and it laid a strong scientific foundation for my understanding of child growth and nutrition.
Last Sunday, 15 March 2026, life offered me a rare and deeply meaningful moment.
I once again had the privilege of learning from her — this time, not as a student preparing for a degree, but as a lifelong learner seeking deeper practical understanding. The session focused on the application of these tools in the nutritional assessment of children — a subject that continues to evolve, yet remains rooted in the same scientific principles she taught decades ago.
What moved me most was not just the content, but the continuity.
For more than 35 years, she has continued teaching with the same dedication, clarity, and enthusiasm. And for more than 35 years, I have continued learning — with the same curiosity and respect.
During our informal “Tea-time exchange,” I found myself reflecting on this rare bond.
Some teachers never stop teaching.
Some students never stop learning.
And when both continue, learning transforms into something deeper —
a lifelong friendship.
I sincerely thank the organisers for making this interaction possible. Moments like these are not planned; they unfold — quietly, meaningfully, and sometimes unexpectedly.
Honestly, I had never imagined that such a moment would revisit my life in this way.
– Dr. Anil Mokashi (Pediatrician)
MBBS, MD, DCH, FIAP, PhD
(Child Growth and Development)
