New Book ‘Ageing with Virtues’

Kathamndu, July 19 . Dr. Bimala Ojha is a Dermatologist, with extensive experience in the fields of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in Nepal. The first woman to specialise in the field of Dermatology in Nepal, Dr. Ojha has served the Nepal government for nearly three decades, starting as a medical officer to leading two Department of Health Services divisions as the director. She is credited with developing guidelines for the implementation of dermatology, leprosy and STD related programmes in Nepal.

She has represented the department at a number of national and international platforms, and she is highly regarded for her medical presentations, articles and journals. She has been recognized for her lifetime of valuable contribution in the field of Dermatology by SODVELON. She is also the recipient of prestigious Birendra Aishwarya Sewa Padak for her contributions to Nepal in the fields of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. She is known for her highly reputable practice in Dermatology and STD for over 30 years.

In her new book ‘Ageing with Virtues’, Dr. Ojha turns her focus to the challenges of ageing – perceived as well as real. Using her own life experiences as examples, she discusses the obstacles of exercising virtues especially in a country like Nepal with rampant poverty and corruption. She tackles the plight of working and professional women in Nepal, the skewed priorities the Nepalese put on wealth accumulation in life, and the role women play in enhancing quality of family life. She digs into the struggles of life, compromises people make for survival, the inner conflicts they create, their impact on the conscience, and the deep seeded and often masked unhappiness.

In this endeavour, Dr. Ojha lays out scientifically how a person is a product of environment and experience. But stepping above from her medical expertise, Dr. Ojha examines the overall and holistic balance of life, happiness, and the role the virtues play in achieving them. With her real-life examples, Dr. Ojha beautifully recounts her own struggles, facing the inner demons, and overcoming them bit at a time. Quoting Dr. Ojha – “Ageing is unavoidable. Virtues are free. Practicing virtues with no expectations can do a world of good to others. And the peace and joy they bring you are priceless. What better way is there than to age with virtues and grace?”

Whether you consider yourself in the ageing group or not, this book is a must read for anyone striving to bring balance in their lives to live a fuller happier life.