The Love Moon in the Path of Service
In just eleven months, Dr. Indu Chandran treated around six thousand COVID patients at Jeddah National Hospital, a life filled with courage and unique characteristics. Even while living amidst the patients throughout the day, establishing friendships with them, Indu’s heart carried the whispers of human compassion. During rounds, the heart swayed with a green breeze of comfort. With the stethoscope, a symbol of empathy, she navigated through the different paths of life... Indu and Chandran are one and the same. When united, they create a bright moonbeam. For over one and a half decades, Indu Chandran has been a selfless volunteer in Jeddah's healthcare service, radiating love and compassion. A dedicated internist, she has etched herself into the hearts of numerous expatriates and locals, along with their dependents, leaving behind the memory of a sandalwood-scented moon. During the challenging times when the COVID virus spread across the world, devastating lives and economies, healthcare workers like Dr. Indu and her colleagues in the medical and paramedical fields became invaluable contributors, leaving indelible marks in the history of healthcare. They performed selfless service, often risking their own lives. Their work was without food or sleep, showing deep compassion for their patients and mercy toward their families. Selflessness and concern for others continue to drive many healthcare workers like Dr. Indu Chandran, who remains at the forefront of the ongoing battle against the pandemic. Health Oasis, Coffee Chat Dr. Indu's initiative, the Dr. Indu Health Oasis Facebook page, was a vital resource for expatriate COVID patients seeking answers to their doubts and questions. People from various parts of the Gulf region reached out for clarity. This led to the launch of H & E Channel (Health & Entertainment). The channel, blending knowledge and entertainment, has become a mirror of expatriate life in Saudi Arabia. Celebrities like Vidhubala, Bhagyalakshmi, Afzal, and Vaikom Vijayalakshmi have been featured on this program, along with Jeddah-based singers like Dhanyaprasanth and Abdul Latif Babu. Despite a busy schedule, Dr. Indu manages to find time for music, dance, and acting.
The Heart-Wrenching Auschwitz View Dr. Indu, who has visited places like the Maldives, Russia, China, Canada, France, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, Turkey, Georgia, Hong Kong, the UK, and the Gulf, was deeply moved by the sights at the Nazi concentration camp in Germany, a memorial to the horrors of the Holocaust. The Auschwitz camp, where the victims of Nazi terror who were subjected to unspeakable cruelty, displayed their belongings and remains, serves as a grim reminder of the 1.1 million lives lost. The silence in the camp speaks volumes, recounting the untold stories of suffering and death. Dr. Indu shared that after visiting Auschwitz, she couldn’t sleep peacefully for more than a week.
Childhood Compassion, Humanity Dr. Indu, who always prioritized charity when at home, became a lifelong member of the Aluva Janaseva Children's Home and actively participated in the care of orphaned children. She has helped many underprivileged, talented children by supporting their education. During this time, she sponsored and raised a child named Sanish from the Pulllazhiy Saint Christina Home. When the child fell ill and spent several days in the hospital as a patient, Dr. Indu was deeply saddened when he passed away. This was something no one knew about. Whenever she is home, Dr. Indu remains active in charity work, visiting homes for the elderly and other charitable organizations. She firmly believes in the saying "Charity begins at home" and attributes this principle to the lessons in compassion she inherited from her mother.
Dance, Music, Acting Dr. Indu, who learned Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam from Guru Mohanachandran and Sindhu Shekhar, has performed dance programs on numerous stages both in her home country and abroad. She has a deep passion for music as well. Acting is another of her talents. Her portrayal in Bashir's play Balya Kaalsakhiyile Abhinayam, performed on various stages in Jeddah, stands out distinctly. In plays directed by Muhsin Kalikav, Dr. Indu, along with her husband Naushad Chathalloo and children Savarika Chandni and Shayan Aarav, played key roles that the audience will never forget. Dr. Indu is also one of the first expatriate women in Saudi Arabia to obtain a women's driving license. After the end of her first marriage, she found a strong bond with Naushad Chathalloo, a businessman and compassionate individual from Perinthalmanna in Jeddah. This led to him becoming her life partner. Despite initial resistance from her family after converting to Islam, the opposition gradually faded away, and through the joyful experiences of life, she overcame many challenges. Dr. Indu fondly recalls her heartfelt friends in Jeddah, including business owner Dr. V.P. Muhammadi, with gratitude. Her only sibling, Vinu Chandrashekhar, residing in Dubai, also provides solid support. Naushad, who efficiently manages the technical department of the H & E channel, is a kind-hearted person and a lover of arts. Their eldest son, Sourav, an alumnus of Jeddah Indian School, now serves as a doctor in the Indian Air Force. Savarika, their daughter, is a skilled dancer and anchor in Jeddah, and their younger son, Shayan Aarav, shines in artistic fields.
