Srinagar, Aug. 10 -- Once upon a time in Kashmir, the presence of a doctor was equated with divine grace. People affectionately referred to them as Maoul (a source of wisdom) and Mouj (mother - a symbol of care and compassion). These weren't mere honorifics, but heartfelt expressions of cultural respect and emotional connection. Doctors were seen not just as healers of the body but as custodians of dignity, empathy, and hope. Their presence brought comfort; their word, final.

Today, however, that sacred bond is fraying.

Mistrust has crept in where reverence once lived. Patients now approach government hospitals with anxiety, not assurance. And while many doctors - especially senior ones - continue to serve with integrity, an unsettling ...