Dr Shoaib Sayed, who now writes under the pseudonym Daniyal, has recently published his first book, a mystery thriller titled Plaza. His journey with books began unexpectedly during a long flight with an extended transit, when he picked up Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, a moment that would go on to shape his relationship with reading and storytelling.
How it began
During the Covid years, with academic schedules slowing down, I found myself reading more than ever and managed to finish nearly 70 books in a single year. Reading became a refuge, a habit, and eventually a responsibility. That naturally led me to co-curate the Goa Reads chapter along with Janice and Anushka. Inspired by Cubbon Reads in Bengaluru, @goareads emerged from a simple realisation: Goa needed stronger reading communities. We wanted to create a space where people could read together on weekends; newspapers, novels, textbooks, anything at all. It was, and still is, a humble effort to normalise reading as a shared cultural experience in Goa.
Medicine
Medicine was always around me. My father is a neurosurgeon, and I grew up watching doctors, hospitals, and the realities of the profession up close. Familiarity, respect for the discipline, and a genuine fondness for the subject drew me towards becoming a doctor myself.
That said, medical student life and medical practice are worlds apart. The physical, mental, and emotional demands increase exponentially once you begin practicing. I have been vocal about doctors’ rights because I firmly believe that the working conditions of Indian doctors need urgent reform.
Two experiences shaped my understanding of how broken the system can be. In one case, a patient requiring repeated breast biopsies could not afford basic sampling without risking her ability to pay rent. In another, a patient with a major aortic aneurysm required treatment costing over Rs 40 lakh, an amount far beyond the reach of most Indians. These moments forced me to confront the harsh realities of affordability, accessibility, and awareness in healthcare. They also became the driving force behind the healthtech work I am now involved in.
Despite everything, the emotional burden of medicine becomes lighter when patients recover and return home. Their gratitude has a power of its own, and on difficult days, a supportive circle of friends and family makes all the difference. As they say, it takes a village.
Ethics online
Medical content creation can be a powerful tool for awareness, but only when handled responsibly. I strongly believe that doctors must respect their limitations and never use patients as props for engagement. Patients are vulnerable and place immense trust in us; preserving dignity and consent is non-negotiable.
Writing life
The page @daniyalreads came into existence almost overnight, after juniors suggested I create a space to talk about books and writing. What began as a bookstagram soon expanded to include art, healthcare, and politics; subjects I care deeply about.
While my feed now features a lot of mystery thrillers thanks to Plaza, my current reading has shifted towards political and historical nonfiction. Recent reads include Strangers of the Mist by Sanjoy Hazarika and The Quest for Modern Assam by Arupjyoti Saikia.
As a reader, I look for entertainment. As an author, I look for detail. As a doctor, I look for impact. Those three lenses shape everything I read and write today.
Roots
My connection to education and healthcare in Goa is deeply personal. My grandfather, Shaikh Mohammadi, a Vasco-based businessman, was a pioneer of education and founded schools locally. My granduncle, Sheikh Hassan Haroon, served as Goa’s health minister, law minister, and Speaker of the House.
I grew up in a fiercely feminist, matriarchal household rooted in patriotism. It was always understood that speaking up for the voiceless and using privilege responsibly was a duty. In today’s online world, backlash is inevitable, but if your intentions are honest, you must stand by your words. And when things get difficult, I remind myself of a Konkani saying I hold close: Mog Asun (let there be love).
Many roles
I am currently the co-founder and director of a healthtech company focused on improving healthcare affordability, accessibility, and awareness in India. More details will be shared soon on @daniyalreads. We are building a growing community across the country, and the response so far has been encouraging.
Alongside this, I am preparing for further exams. Balancing multiple roles is challenging, but multitasking is almost second nature to doctors. Patients do occasionally recognise me from my reels, but those encounters have only led to meaningful conversations, for which I am grateful.
Looking ahead
I am optimistic about the future of reading in India. While attention spans have shortened and short-form content dominates, people still crave physical books. Reading is heritage; it is something you pass on. I believe reels can be gateways, leading people back to books.
As a doctor, my lifelong goal is to become a better physician and human while contributing to a fairer healthcare system. As @daniyalreads, I want to continue meaningful conversations. And as an author, I am currently working on another mystery thriller centred around healthcare, very much a work in progress.
