PGIMER undertook innumerable academic, cultural and research activities during the Golden Jubilee Year. The emphasis was on academics. A special Research Day to highlight the research work by the PGI faculty was held in August for the first time. This will be held annually in future. A resume summarizing the major research achievements of the last 50 years was published. This document speaks volumes about the work of the Faculty. The Institute is now in the process of implementing several new initiatives such as Initiation grants for the new faculty, Visiting Fellowship and Professorship awards, research-awards and innovative projects. This would provide a major boost to the research achievements for the Institute and to the career of the faculty and residents with these additional resources.
Several eminent dignitaries had visited the Institute during the year to deliver illuminating talks. Special functions were held to honour and felicitate our past directors and members of the faculty. Golden Jubilee Alumni functions with an excellent participation of about a thousand alumni from India and abroad were celebrated by the Institute and different departments. The alumni shared their reminiscences of the past and the vision for the future and promised to offer their services for the progress of the Institute. The Institute has established an Alumni Cell for a continued dialogue.
Several initiatives to further promote academic activities were taken. Sixty-eight scientific and professional conferences were held. Over twenty educational lectures for public and patients were held. The series on public lectures in the OPD for the patients and their relatives has been widely appreciated.
Amongst the commemorative functions a documentary film about the institute’s contributions was made which won wide acclaim. A five rupee commemorative postage stamp was released by the Hon’ble President of India, Sh Pranab Mukherjee who had graced the Annual Convocation during the year. A souvenir befitting the occasion and other mementoes to keep the memory intact in the future, were released on the inaugural day.
Few cultural programmes including an unforgettable performance of the music maestro Ustad Rashid Ali Khan and singer Anoop Jalota were held.
The auspicious celebrations had been set in motion on 7th July 2012 with the key-note address by Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission and were closed on the 51st Foundation Day held on July 6, 2013.