Major (Retd) HPS Ahluwalia, Chairman, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi inaugurated the New Academic Session today and delivered his enlightening address “Summit of the mind”. Major Ahluwalia recounted his valuable life experiences that taught him to give to others what he lost in the 1965 India-Pakistan War by founding world-class Indian Spinal Injury Centre in Delhi. He was the member of the first successful Indian expedition to Mt. Everest. As the Chairperson of Rehabilitation Council of India he promoted the efforts being made for conquering disability throughout the country by organizing workshops and conferences. He has also established a stem cell research facility for spine injury patients at his Center. He was awarded National Awards – Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, National Award (for the Best Work done in the field of Disability).
Prof. Sneh Bhargava, former Director, AIIMS, New Delhi and one of the leading Radiologists of the nation, headed the department of Radiology at AIIMS. Prof. Bhargava while congratulating the new residents said, “Institution builds character and makes you, but you make the institution and sustain it.” She opined that while other sectors were booming in India, health care had been in a sorry state. It was the responsibility of the students to find innovative ways of giving boost to this sector and catering to millions of people who have health facilities out of their reach. She applauded the efforts of PGI’s Director, Dean and faculty who had established a wide range of hi-tech facilities for patient care and congratulated them for upholding the ‘Guru-Shishya’ prampara where students are groomed by their seniors and are made into world-class doctors. She urged the students to think of out of box solutions in health care to meet the resource crunch.
Earlier Prof.K.K.Talwar introduced the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour to the audience and welcomed the new entrants to the PGI family. Prof. Talwar said, “The patient-care, academic and research activities of the PGIMER have continued to expand. The PGI cares for a staggering number of patients. Today, the hospital has over 1700 beds that include recently started state-of-the-art facilities – Advanced Cardiac Centre and several intensive care units. About 20% of poor patients are treated absolutely free of cost – which we feel is our humble contribution to the society. PGI faculty attracted more than 25 crores as extramural grant for various research projects and published over 650 articles during the last year. The surest touchstone to test the mettle of an Institute is the extent of achievements of its alumni. PGI Alumni have earned name and the respect of their colleagues through their commendable work in various Institutes across India and abroad. “
Prof.Amod Gupta, Sub-Dean and Chairman, Institute Functions Committee conducted the pin-up ceremony for resident doctors. One hundred ten candidates have joined the MD/MS course of major specialties like Anesthesia, Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Orthosurgery, Radiodiagnosis, General Surgery, Microbiology and Pathology. Thirty-two students have joined the DM/M.ch in Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Neurology, Cardiovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery, Pediatric surgery, Plastic Surgery, Urology and Surgical gastroenterology. Fourteen students will begin their Ph.D.
Prof.Vinay Sakhuja, Dean, PGI delivered the vote of thanks.