Charu Bhatia | Senior News Editor | Business Remedies in conversation with Dr. Shikha Gupta, Founder of Diva Hospital and IVF Centre and a leading Gynecologist in Jaipur
In a world where perseverance often outweighs privilege, Dr. Shikha’s story stands as a compelling testament to grit, ambition, and purpose-driven success. From being a bright student in a small town in Haryana to founding Diva IVF, her own fertility center built from scratch, Dr. Shikha has navigated academic rigour, institutional politics, and personal challenges with unshakable resolve. In this candid conversation, she opens up about the influences that shaped her, the hurdles she overcame in the medical field, and the values that continue to guide her mission of ethical and compassionate healthcare.
Question: It is a privilege to talk to a doctor for an interactive and informative session. Doctor Shikha, you have achieved a lot till now. Please throw light on your journey so far.
Answer: Well, if I talk about my childhood, till 12th standard, I had always been trolled by my classmates because I was good at studies, actually excellent. So, everyone used to make fun of me, tease me but that never stopped me from working hard and putting all my efforts in academics. Though I was friendly, but at the same time, I was very ambitious about my aims and goals in life. My father has been the biggest inspiration for me. He is a doctor himself, an eye surgeon and he is amongst the first from our town Narnaul, in Haryana to attain such a fame. That, sort of, always encouraged me to do better and be a doctor myself. Eventually, I was one of those few who cracked pre- medical examination in her very first attempt. When I entered my college in Gujarat, BJ Medical College, that proved to be a Golden Period for my career. I entered the college with the idea that I would be the best doctor in my field. Here too, while my fellow roommates would be involved in roaming around, having friend dates and partying, I would be seriously studying in my room, trying to excel my graduation examinations. And the result aligned to my hard work. I stood in top 20 in my college examinations. In those days, there were no entrance tests for post-graduation course and your admission depended upon how well you do in your graduation examinations. I wanted to study surgery further and like my dad, wanted to be an eye surgeon but since my eyesight was weak, therefore, my father suggested me to go for some other area. He also added that general surgery would require a super-specialization course. In those times, Gynecology and Obstetrics didn’t require super-specialization. So, I went for Gyn- Obs. And I remember that the year I passed the examination, the concept of Laparoscopy, Endoscopy and IVF were introduced in the field.
Question: Wow, so you had always been a very dedicated individual. What actually made you come and work in this field and can you tell us what kept you grounded and determined in it, later, after your studies, since medical line requires such blood and sweat?
Answer: The point of attraction for me towards this field was fame and popularity. I had seen my father as a successful doctor and he was always praised and appreciated for his work. I wanted to be a doctor like him. Later, when I started practicing after my studies, I had to go through a series of problems and during that time, my husband (whom I met during my PG) turned out to be my greatest support system and Sadhguru became the guide of my life. He taught me how to meander through difficulties, rise above them and follow my passion of serving people endlessly.
Question: As you mentioned, you faced some difficulties in your career when you started practicing. Could you elaborate on those challenges you faced?
Answer: I can relate to several of the difficulties I faced when I worked in different hospitals. At one of the hospitals, someone took off the consent papers of a patient, who was advised a surgery. The management of that hospital was non-cooperative towards me always. However, the 
medical board gave me a clean chit in the case since all other documents proved that the surgery was necessary and could have complications. Another instance which I can refer to is from another hospital where the other gynecologist was always competing for a greater number of patients and management supported her in that regard. I was working there during Covid times and doctors were not allowed to operate upon Covid positive patients. However, the distinction between positive, negative and unknown weren’t done appropriately and we operated upon a Covid positive patient unknowingly. The impact of that was I was alone asked to quarantine and isolate myself, at which I replied that if other staff members who were present in the OT are also isolated, I will also accept quarantine. But as they weren’t asked to, I too didn’t which eventually led me to leave the place. The third place I entered, that is Cocoon hospital, I asked for an independent space to have the practice and management allowed that space and therefore, that was my best experience of working with a hospital. After that, my dream came true. I always wanted to open up my own clinic and years of dedicated practice had earned me patients’ trust. Therefore, I took the step with courage and this is how Diva IVF was born. I would also like to share that this centre is entirely opened up on my savings. My husband’s contribution is definitely there, about 10 percent bur rest every part, I did on my own.
Question: Wow, it is really incredible to build such a vast structure and work relentlessly. The story of yours is full of fortitude and determination. What values and ideology do you consider are most essential for living through life and through this career?
Answer: Well, you should have determination and resilience to fight against all odds of life. Have your own standing and independent thought. I have been aggressive about many of my decisions because that was needed. In my profession, I am one of the rare doctors in Jaipur who can perform a complicated surgery alone as my decision-making power is strong and efficient. One should possess integrity of thought and action, of values and judgements of right and wrong, be sincere, practice dedication and perseverance. Also, you need to have high ethical standards and be honest and straightforward to patients. I tell my patients about the possible complications earlier only before operating. This way, I might lose them, but not their trust.
Question: For medical field, what do you expect of the government?
Answer: As a doctor, I expect that there should be transparent and answerable governance, and a support system for doctors is created in case of violence against them. There is also a need to develop a reliable and well-equipped healthcare system in government hospitals at all levels so that latest and hi-tech medical services can be delivered to the patients. Many of our colleagues working in PHC (Primary Health Centre) and CHC (Community Health Centre) tell that they don’t have enough medical equipments to serve the community in emergency and if anything goes wrong, they are made scapegoats, but there are no improvements in system and facilities. It is the need of the hour that government looks into these crucial matters. Also, I would like to add that if similar thing happens in private sector, then they are victimized, and rather extorted and punished for no fault of theirs just because they charge for the services.
Question: Who is your ideal in the field of medical science?
Answer: My ideal is a leading IVF specialist and fertility-preserving surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Jay Mehta.
Interviewed By:
Charu Bhatia
