Dr Kushagra Katariya, CEO and chief cardiothoracic surgeon of Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon, thinks that YouTube can be the smartest way to reach millions in the field of medical science. So long as he is not reading about electricity-generating solar panels, he has no gadget wish-list, and buys whatever he likes, whenever he likes.
What was your most extravagant gadget buy?
I don’t believe in extravagant buys per se, but the Apple iPhones which I purchased for each of my children are perhaps my most generous buys of late.
Do you actively seek out eco-friendly gadgets or technology?
It’s my firm belief that eco-friendly technology is the way forward. I don’t really have a green gadget but I do believe that if we can use our current gadgets and other electronic equipments in an appropriate manner, it will translate into a lot less pollution being released in our environment. For example, avoid charging your mobiles and notebooks endlessly and switch off lights and fans when not in the room — simple stuff but very effective. I find the idea of solar panels which generate electricity very exciting.
Does YouTube mean anything to you?
YouTube is a fantastic way of sharing information from across the globe. The videos enable us to see how things are being done firsthand, and what events are taking place around the world. YouTube can also be used as a great learning tool. For example, in medical science, some experiments and real-time procedures can be recorded and uploaded, and then used for teaching or demonstration.
How many hours a day do you spend on the Internet?
I never get to spend more than two hours a day to surf. It is extremely important for me to exchange emails, do some medical reading, look up new developments and network with other medical experts from world over.
Do you have any custom-fitted gadgets for yourself?
There are quite a few. The Canon camera that I currently use is one such gadget. I guess customisation does tend to make the gadget more interesting and fun to use.
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What was your first true gadget? Do you still have it?
It was a Kodak camera which I got from my parents when I was six. Sadly, I broke it shortly after receiving it.
What is the perfect geeky gift you would like to give your family?
It would be probably the iPhone 3GS. It has the latest technology and great functionality, and all this without compromising on user-friendliness.
Is there a gadget that helps you unwind?
I enjoy gaming, so a few minutes spent on the PlayStation with my sons are good enough.
If you could, what kind of dream gadget would you build?
Being a cardiothoracic surgeon, my dream gadget would have to be an artificial heart. Just thinking about how many lives it could benefit sets my mind buzzing.
If money wasn’t an object, what would you spend it on?
It could be any gadget which makes my family happy, especially my children. These days youngsters are so much more clued in to technology. Their learning curve is so much steeper.