Shivani was a very popular, objective and well respected writer in Hindi language. She was very much well versed with Kumaon region and its Almora: She was born in Gujarat but by nature and existing situations, she was a wanderer Kumaon region, including Almora, is a part of valley of Shivalik-tresses of Lord. Siva-situated on the south of Himalayas. It has attracted travellers and devotees alike for long. In addition, its natural beauty, divine experiences and all around calmness had evoked a ray of hope for those, who were severely diseased. The patients and their families were of the firm belief that in this divine environment, their diseases, which has been born and grown in the plains, will not survive in this changed environment and they will get cured of the disease. This was the time, when contemporary medical world was devoid of modern medicines and technological knowledge and prevalent situation was quite difficult. When people, with grave diseases, moved to the mountains, then, load of diseases of plains got definitely a little reduced, but it produced difficult situations for the mountains. This perception, that people, residing in the mountains with divine environment around, cannot sustain diseases-proved to be a myth. The patient were looked after by locals only. There were interaction between Kumaoni and patients. They exchanged not only welfare but diseases as well. Gradually, a large population of Kumaon got affected by the diseases, many of whom lost their lives as well. Lots of diseases got intermingled with general

lives as well. Lots of diseases got intermingled with general population of Kumaon. It resulted in distortion and Perversion of family and social life in Kumaon. Being embodied with subtle vision within, Shivani remained a silent but observant spectator to the situations happening around her- near and far. She understood and analyzed the intricate feelings and human behaviour of those times, interiorized them and reproduced it later in her writings - That is the beauty of being Shivani.   

Shivani had developed a great closeness with Medical world, : so much so, that her normal stories, too, contained some element of Medical world. These descriptions were natural and belonged to the existential circumstances surrounding her. -

• "Suddenly he became silent as if the diabetic patient has gone into a state of Coma." She was well aware of nuisances of Diabetes and that a patient of Diabetes can go into a state of coma, if Diabetes is not under control.  
• Her knowledge of surgery was not less astonishing. She describes :-  

 "The man was so trained and expert that he opened the knot of the bundle in such a way and extracted the crystal/grain so efficiently that it looked as if a renowned surgeon is removing Appendix from the abdomen Appendicitis was quite common in those days. Surgery was the only answer as a treatment of choice. Shivani was well aware that to take out Appendix efficiently, was a surgical beauty. Unexampled plastic Surgery and Amazing Recuperation in discrepant situations - "In the night, full of stars, in the

• month of Magh at 2.30 AM, a proficient surgeon performed a miraculous surgery without any assistant, under candle light and light of 1.5 meter long hunter's torch for 2-3 hours. Kisni's, the grass cutter, nose was chewed by a bear. His nose, mixed with blood, was brought by his wife in the leaves of Thipili (Long pepper). The surgery was successful and the patient recovered fully well.   

 It all happened without any help from modern facilities and death conquerer Medicines. Shivani thought - it had to happen. The nature had made the whole environment immune by spreading ice sheet all over. So, how could the poison (toxin) spread at all? The new vision of Shivani - all words self-explanatory. Tetanus, a fearsome disease of the past, was described beautifully by Shivani. "The wound is small - will get cured of its own. It was devastating mistake made. She started getting her backbone broken mercilessly - Backbone looked like a bow, hence, called Dhanustankar. She bore the brunt of extreme pain and agony in her full consciousness. Even a small ray of light, could precipitate extreme agony, as if it will prove fatal. With sobbing, her whole body was trembling very harsh and achieved a state of body as if some juggler is showing some mysterious cut part of the body of his assistant. She was fighting the effect of high fever, with all her might and strength, but couldn't do anything. The sufferer, herself, was a doctor, hence, she could foresee her impending death. But, it couldn't be. This description of Tetanus will be ideal in Medicine (Perfect 10).She recovered after a long stay in the hospital. Looks far-fetched then but possibly true. She was not hesitant to comment on clinicians as well. She minced no words to describe them. 

• The Surgeon looked as if some robust English man is coming. He had so much glory in his hands that hopeless patient, too, regained their health. His fee was also robust like his personality - could get reduced only if disease of the patient was special and rare or she happened to be the most beautiful. Unfortunately, this unique messiah, who gave life to innumerable people, could not treat his own wife.
• No clinician can show audacity to put his own offspring under surgeon's knife.

       Kumaon and surroundings attracted huge number of patients for treatment of following three dreaded diseases of that time i.e.

1. Phthisis/Consumption/ White Plague (;{ek] {k;] risfnd½ & All mean Tuberculosis. When Herman Brehmer (1854) announced in his Ph.D. Thesis that his Tuberculosis (consumption) got cured after he stayed in the valley of Himalayas, there was a flood of sanatoriums all over the world including Kumaon in India. Only the rich and affluent enjoyed the hospitality of Sanatorium in India. It was conceived that - the disease will lose its shine and severity in the valley of divine Himalayas.

The patient will remain in a quiet and peaceful environment away from home and family - The family and society will be protected against infection from the diseases of such patients - Many a times, this calm and quiet environment encouraged such people towards Spirituality, Art and Literature.

• Many a times, Shivani has described few special types of Tuberculosis. One, such devastating and destructive one, was Galloping. TB- Diagnosis means Definite and outright death. Shivani has described Phthisis in all its severity, all around prevalence and social destruction in Kumaon. 
• Entombment of a brilliant young girl in company of a disease - The daughter of a poor father was purposefully married to an active phthisis patient. This was a time, when Ranidhara was a natural sanatorium for Phthisis patients. Severely ill patients, who were rejected by TB sanatoriums, used to hire bungalows and wait for impending death, Phthisis was more infamous than Cancer today. One, who had it, is gone. In these situations, the adolescent girl had to spend her day with blood spitting husband and night with rigid and strong headed mother in law. When she anticipated that her husband was about to die, she decorated herself, got self-immolated and became SATI -The first and last SATI of Kumaon. Funeral pyre of both husband and wife were decorated and lifted in unity but Cultural tradition was not maintained -

Neither any Chaura nor any imprint of Vermilon decorated hand Shivani was nostalgic that there is a difference between Sati and denouncing hypocritic tradition of Sati.

• She used to tap the ribs of her patients before prescribing drugs (Percussion). Cough of her mother used to make her anxious and perturbed.  Who was the girl in Kumaon, who didn't recognize this cough? None. Phthisis was the curse for her maternal ancestors. Many of them proceeded to Bhuvali sanatorium but couldn't return. She became afraid, if her mother could have Tuberculosis. She used to console her mother that it could be Bronchitis - Let's get X - Ray done, which showed patches in both lungs. Then, prepare for Bhavali Sanatorium
• After giving due consideration to Ancestry, Relation and Stars, the father decided to marry his beautiful daughter to a poor family. Thin, like straw, son-in-law was coughing like hell, still, would be father -in-law was doing foot worship, (Pair Puja), when he felt giddiness and fell down on the ground because he came to know that the boy has come from Sanatorium on 2-3 days furlough leave for marriage. Marriage continued and Kanyadaan was carried by the brides parent. Bridegroom left for heavenly halfway in honeymoon. (honeymoon in dangerous phthisis!) But, the bride was transmitted the fatal disease as a gift. Her consumption induced an unnatural redness around her cheek, which looked obvious, alarming and painful. 

This redness was common among people suffering from consumption. Western culture declared consumption/phthisis as a Romantic disease. Pale, thin built patients, with pinkish hue, probably gave a romantic look! It was a long drawn disease, hence, many people developed interest into literature and Art. It was believed that Phthisis induced mild fever and toxins, made the Brain to be more active and thoughts more clear. Tuberculosis affected many greats like John Keats, Shelley, Stevension, Dostovesky etc. Even clinicians were not spared either. Laennec (1781-1842), who contributed handsomely in understanding TB and its diagnosis - Father of Stethoscope and Auscultation- died quite young suffering from this disease. Lots of Painting. Art and Sculpture were created during this period depecting Romanticism with TB. Shivani's own creation, too, had such memorable romanticism with Phthisis. Two of them are worth mentioning.

• In the first, Phthisis affected wife was deeply aggrieved with her own misery and love and harassment of her husband, she jumped in the river to commit suicide. But, destiny didn't allow her to die. She was saved by a group of saints, she was cared by them, while spitting blood. She got cured but with loss of Brain and Tongue- No speech, no thoughts. Years later, the lady is at the same place - her husband with aged wife and Adolescent sons - he recognizes her but fate didn't allow to meet - He moved forward with time.
• In the other, blooming girl meet her lover with advanced Phthisis and deeply embraced him. They could not get married - Who will marry such a man? But, destiny shifted the man to Lahore with saint - got cured but the girl was married to a healthy wrestler type man but poor man suffered from Phthisis and died. Years later, widow woman was with the same man who was with his wife. Man recognized her but she couldn't. Difficult to return- time passed ahead again.    

History has innumerable stories of this devastating disease, which killed maximum people in human existence. Unfortunately, we lacked storytellers for them in our literature.

•  Leprosy - ¼dq"V½ This is also an old disease like Tuberculosis. Even, son of lord Krishna, Samba, too was affected by it. This disease does not produce death (Rare) but makes the patient severely crippled. Kumaon, again, gave shelter to these unfortunate people. The disease causes body to decay ad makes it vile. But, it more decays the mind and the soul.
• He was welcomed by the residents of Leprasorium on inauguration of new female ward by clapping their deformed hands. He recognized her. Her face was completely changed - The skin became hakly and rough like a Jack fruit. Loss of silky eyelashes had made her eyes looked dilapidated.
• He was suffering from decaying leprosy ¼xfyr dq"V jksx½ - Fearsome infectious positive leprosy. Leprosy was erupting from each part of the body. There would have been no concern, if it would have been a nodular Leprosy.   
• There are many barracks made of Tin in low lying valley surrounded by high rise mountains. There is a church in front of them. Whistling wind passing through high rise Pine trees was evident. It is Leprasorium of Almora - I cried.
• He is sitting in a dark barrack. His dear Flute is lying on his side, which he loved and was famous for. But, now he can't either hold or blow to make music because he has lost all the fingers of the hand and was left with half of the fist. He has lost his lips to make his face look quite ugly. Nose is lost, only eyelid lost burning eyes are seen as remnant.

Poor and pathetic description from Shivani.

In the huge world of ailments, Leprosy has a different and unique identity. Hansen's described patients are not only suffering from the disease but also from the social isolation. Such a great and disastrous price to pay for a delay in its treatment. But Shivani gave recognition to them even, in her story world, deserves Kudos and a great applause.

• INSANITY (Psychosis) - Insane and beggar were seen at every street, every corner of Almora in those days. Almora - Kumaon were ultimate destination for untreatable mental patients.
• Nobody can shy away from diseases, which did not discriminate among various social stratifications. Looking like a beautiful fairy, the princess was married, conceived and happily got a baby boy. But, destiny had it different - She got mentally deranged due to Measles contracted during Pregnancy. Emotions were lost - even tender love to her own Child was not spared. Extremely beautiful woman was severely ill and was leaving behind the doors of a forte in a secluded and lonely way. Finally, during a maniacal attack, she lost her life.
• He is standing behind the big & tall iron gates completely naked. He has kept his lungi on his head. Beard are grown. He was chucling - light laugh. There are many people around like him- someone is laughing, someone singing, others naked. Terrible scene but she could foresee such maniacal traces in him before during his philosophical talks.
• The story of mentally deranged patients was very touching, though fearsome. There was lack of kindness in Kumaion society too, Ladies used to tell - oh, deranged woman, don't touch my Pitcher. She used to laugh aloud and then, made pitcher to fall with a kick by her leg. Then, she started running like a runner of marathan race afterwards. No body can dare to chase her. Her state of frenzy was strange. She used to be very calm and quiet during dark lunar fortnight. She used to follow like a shadow to her keeper. But, during bright lunar fortnight, specially 14& 15th day, she used to become very disbalanced, violent and disoriented.     

 Wherever, she used to sit, she was careless to both-her own body and her clothes, fully unaware of what is happening to her or around - Completely careless. But she used to become a matter of entertainment for people - especially young ones. Instead of giving her care or kindness, she was abused and there was all whistles around. Distressed, a noble lady lost her calm and cool and shouted - oh, sons of a w……………….. don't you have mothers and sisters in your house? If one of the ladies of your family start behaving like this - unaware of herself, still, will you whistle around? Have some shame-pitty on you.

         I think all words are self-explanatory. No further clarification needed to describe the situation. 

         The world of story of Shivani was huge. No wonder, it was not the disease alone but whole society. She was very touchy about the problems and situations of women in existing society irrespective of their class or creed. In fact, she was strongly feminist.

• Parochial society of Almora will make her recluse at an early age - Taking food once a day, making innumerable visits to temples (Parikrama) and listening great sermons of the saints coming from mainland and then, daily lackluster routine of Bhagvat week.
• Rasleela (Divine dance) of the heroine was in full bloom. But then, David became ill with Phthisis and went to Bhuvani sanatorium - Here, Henry has started coughing of late. A long list of her lovers had vanished, went heavenly - cause diseases, still, she remained attracted to a gentleman from her heart. Poor girl didn’t know that she can't purchase a man but has to sell herself alone in her profession.
• Kumaon in those days was bestowed with all good and bad qualities of society. Gambling was played at one place. The husband put his wife on bet for Rs. 2,000/-. He lost it. Yudhistir and Draupadi are not found in Mahabharat alone. A kind hearted lady gave the money and released the woman free from the bet.  Immediately, she declared her relationship with her husband null and void - Wife abandoned her husband - strong! She took shelter in every kind provider hospital, learned intricacy of Nursing, became a nurse and then proceeded in the service of humanity forgetting her past altogether.

    One must not get a wrong perception that her story world was only grief and disease. No, it was not. She had many sparkles even. She is very fond of describing beauty of a woman Tulsidas was proven wrong "The beauty of a woman does not allure other woman." ^^eksg u ukfj ukjh ds :ik** Human conscience is bisexual in nature. Female has a little male in her and male has a little female in him. Whenever Shivani has described the beauty of a woman, which she has done quite often, she takes a little masculine touch - some of the beautifications had become too intimate.

• During Maghi ¼ek?kh½ bath at Kumbh in Allahabad, she was exemplifying extreme beauty under indigotic water of Sangam ¼laxe½ - half immersed in water, she looked like a mermaid - her beauty was so intense and unique that Shivani, even though being a woman, couldn't forget it till date. Cardamon coloured saree from Bhagalpur, exposed and made every line of her shapely breast prominent. Smooth braided crest coils of wet black hair were hanging from either side. By keeping sangam water in her long-fingered hands put together, she was giving divine offerings to Lord Sun - a god rare beauty. A Shivani's description.   
• Her face must have been forged by lord God at leisure. The nose, like edge of a sword, small luscious lips and intoxicating eyes - No makeup no adornment. Still, divine beauty like Astabhuja. ¼v"VHkqtk½

Now, when saw her - got shocked - Neither that Colour nor the beauty. Once, she used to carry the hearts of innumerable students in the veil of her eyes - She moved lifting her celebrated neck with pride and wandering like a queen. Once having a beautiful dental line and greyish fair complexion with flavescent aura has been balckened by long lasting disease. Once, she was the best music and beautiful girl of Ashram - still, her eyes were as juicy as ever - they reminded as if some beautiful and unique textured windows remained intact in a historical ruined monument. Still, eyes forced one to recall Rasline poet's famous words -

    ^^vfe; gykgy enHkjs] lsr L;ke jrukjA ft;r ejr >qfd >qfd ijr] tsfg fpror~ ,d ckjA

  The beauty of eyes still. embellished and amorous. Stories of Shivani are enormous. My writing ability has become tired and exhausted.

"Our sweetest songs are those who tell our saddest thoughts. Contemporary hospitals and their immense environment conceals a huge world of pain, grief and distress within. There is miseries and sorrows everywhere and have innumerable poignant and Pittiable stories to tell. Clinician, Medical Science, Medicine and its associated whole family is always there to convert these intolerable griefs into evergreen happiness. It is painful that it’s rare to see, a writer in India, has authored such stories. It’s entirely different and opposite in Western Culture. They, have huge world devoted to these stories. All mediums of communications are involved i.e. Stories, Novels, Documentaries, Movies, Operas, Painting, Sculpture, T.V. shows etc. They have a unique and different world of medical thrillers in literature. In the whole world of Indian eloquence, it is one and only one Shivani, who has dealt extensively and intricately with the world of Medicine with humility and human touch with wider social implications on such a large scale. There are few stories and novels of Shivani, which do not describe any ailment and its associated helplessness. In fact, she was intimately close to this world and her conscience was indulgent towards human behaviour. The world of Medicine, society of Kumaon and valleys of Shivalik - are deeply indebted, thankful and overwhelmed by your contributions SHIVANI. I bow you: diva.