Govt Hospital

If you go to the main market in Rishikesh, you can’t really miss the government hospital. It’s right in the middle of all the noise and the crowds. You’ve got the shops selling sweets and clothes right next door, and the sound of the temple bells isn't far off either. Because it’s in such a busy part of Uttarakhand, we get everyone from local shopkeepers to pilgrims who have traveled hundreds of miles. The building is an old one, with high ceilings and heavy doors. It gets very crowded on market days, and sometimes the entrance is blocked by stray cows or parked scooters. Inside, it’s a bit of a maze with different wings for different things. We have benches lining the walls, but they are almost always full. The staff stays busy from dawn until way after dark. It’s not a fancy place by any means. The paint is old and the fans might squeak a bit as they turn. But it’s the place where everyone goes when they need something looked at. We don't have a fancy waiting room with magazines; people just talk to each other while they wait. You can feel the energy of Rishikesh right inside the wards. It’s a tough, busy hospital that fits right into the chaotic life of the main market. We just keep doing what we can for the people who walk through our doors every day looking for help.