The habit of speaking one's native language, even if the person belongs to a different linguistic group, can surprise others. However, in the town of Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, this practice is a reality thanks to the renowned gynecologist Dr. Anita Mishra. Dr. Mishra, whose mother tongue is Kannada, communicates with her patients in the Awadhi language.
Dr. Anita Mishra hails from the Manglur area of Karnataka state, where she comes from a family that speaks Tulu and Kannada. After marriage, she made Gonda her home. Today, in Gonda, she owns a private medical center where many women seek treatment.
What makes Dr. Anita special is not only her professional experience but also her desire to understand the language of her patients and communicate with them in it, which has helped her gain special popularity among women. Anita Mishra, the daughter of a businessman from Manglur, began her medical studies at Manipal University. In 1997, as a first-year MBBS student, she met Purunoda Mishra, a resident of Gonda.
Purunoda was two years older than her. They met while studying and married in the same year, 1997. After the wedding, Anita's life became connected to Gonda. In 2000, she completed her master's degree at Rajiv Gandhi University. She then moved from her hometown in Karnataka to her husband's home in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
Upon arriving in Gonda, Dr. Anita faced a serious language problem. Her native language was Kannada, whereas daily communication in Gonda was conducted in Hindi and Awadhi. Initially, she learned Hindi and gradually became fluent in it. In 2005, the doctor couple opened their private medical center in Gonda and started working there.
However, another difficulty arose for the doctor: most female patients coming to the center described their illnesses and ailments in the Awadhi language. At first, it was difficult for Dr. Anita to understand what the patients were saying in Awadhi. It was then that she decided to learn another language—Awadhi.
Dr. Anita gradually learned to speak and understand Awadhi. Through constant interaction with patients, her command of the language significantly strengthened. Now, she speaks with female patients in their native language. When patients describe their problems in Awadhi, Dr. Anita understands them easily. This also helps patients feel more comfortable discussing their issues with the doctor.
Dr. Anita notes that when patients talk about their ailments in Awadhi, it sounds very melodious. She gives examples of phrases such as 'petwa pirat hai', 'kanwa kukuat hai', or 'gatwa khaskhat hai'. By adopting the language of her patients, Dr. Anita established a special connection with them. Now, female patients willingly share their problems, and the doctor understands them just as easily.
Dr. Anita Mishra and her husband Purunoda Mishra also have a son who is studying MBBS at Rajiv Gandhi University. Thus, the doctor couple has established a family in Gonda. The journey from Karnataka to Gonda was not just a move to a new city after marriage for Anita Mishra; she also learned the local language and incorporated it into her communication.
Dr. Anita Mishra is passionate about Kathak dance. She often publishes her videos on social media, which go viral. Her interest in dance alongside her medical practice demonstrates a multifaceted nature. She is also discussed among patients due to her relaxed communication and social media activity. According to Dr. Anita, she has also been Miss India and Miss Asia in recent years.
The story of Dr. Anita Mishra, who transitioned from Kannada and Tulu of Karnataka to the Awadhi of Gonda, is unique because she did not force patients to learn her language. Instead, she learned their language herself. Today, in Gonda, she is known as a doctor who understands not only illness but also the language of her patients.