The paediatric cancer ward of Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), otherwise tinged with glumness, lights up whenever Dr Laff-a-Lot pays a visit. The 'doctor' is Pravin Tulpule, 58, a retired Navy officer, who comes to the ward dressed as a clown to lighten the mood for the cancer patients there. When he's in character, Tulpule dresses up in colourful clothes and puts on a red nose, after which his goofy alter ego Dr Laff-a-Lot goes from bed to bed cracking jokes and ensuring his audience is left in splits.

No bigger joy

To put it simply, Tulpule says, he does this because, "making others happy makes me happy". "I know I can't cure these children, but I can at least bring them happiness when they are undergoing treatment. There is no bigger joy than this. Other than TMH, I also visit the paediatric cancer ward of Wadia and KEM hospitals," he said.