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Interviewed by Dr. Reshma Kini
“As an undergraduate, I was an average student and that became my strength as a teacher.”
Dr. Reshma: "Sir, we know you as an author of textbooks, but we would love to hear about your background — where you studied and what kind of student you were."
Dr. Ramadas: "I studied my MBBS at Government Medical College, Mysore, from 1972 to 1978, and completed my post-graduation from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore in 1983. I faced many challenges, and I thought these struggles could be useful for others. That is why I chose teaching — so I could learn and teach simultaneously. Pathology was one of my favorite subjects during my undergraduate days."
Dr. Reshma: "You are an author, a teacher, and a pathologist. Which identity do you connect with the most?"
Dr. Ramadas: "The most important is being a teacher. Teaching is the noblest profession. When you give knowledge, it never decreases — it increases. If you give away money, it reduces. But in teaching, the more you give, the more you gain. Students make you more powerful through their questions and doubts. So my first preference is teaching, second is writing, and third is being a pathologist."
“If even a non-medical student can understand it, then I have succeeded.”
Dr. Reshma: "Students love your exam preparatory manuals. Do you think focusing only on exams affects conceptual understanding?"
Dr. Ramadas: "Yes, that is a concern. Students focus too much on marks. My intention was not just to help them score marks, but to help them understand pathology so they can apply it clinically. Unfortunately, many students memorize definitions and classifications without understanding the basis behind them. I made important questions easy to identify, but students read only those and ignore the rest. My intention was for them to gain knowledge and concepts — not just prepare for exams. In that sense, I feel I have not fully succeeded."
Dr. Reshma: "What keeps you motivated to keep writing?"
Dr. Ramadas: "Students motivate me. When even a dull student understands what I have written, it gives me immense satisfaction. I spend most of my time reading and writing. I do not waste time on social media or television. I read 6–8 hours every day."
“Knowledge should not die with us — it should live on through students.”
Dr. Reshma: "What are your thoughts on Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME)?"
Dr. Ramadas: "CBME is a good concept. But the current student approach is not ideal. Students focus on passing exams and rely on PDFs rather than truly learning. The system needs improvement in implementation—especially focusing on real competencies and day-to-day performance."
Dr. Reshma: "What can teachers do differently today?"
Dr. Ramadas: "Teaching must change. We should begin with clinical scenarios, then move to investigations and interpretation. Instead of defining anemia, we should present a case and ask students to interpret it. Students today are distracted—they attend for attendance, not learning. Teaching must become more engaging and problem-based."
“When a student explains back to me — that is my greatest reward.”
Rapid Fire with Dr. Nayak
Early morning or late night → Early morning
Tea or coffee → Tea
Favorite system → Cardiovascular system
Least favorite topic → Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Favorite stain → Fite-Faraco Stain
MBBS days → Average student
Teaching style → Short focused sessions
Teacher personality → Approachable
Favorite chapter → Neoplasia
Most difficult topic → CNS
Alternative subject → Microbiology
Most irritating student habit → Reading only exam questions
Most satisfying moment → When a student understands and explains back
Common misconception → Pathology is just a scoring subject
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