Chandigarh: 15 August: “As we celebrate 75 years of Indian Independence Day today, I would also like to commend all our healthcare workers as the glory which PGI has risen to, is because of the Commitment. Passion and Hard work by our health care professionals. No one ever thinks about anything else other than his/her patients and everyone works far beyond his or her capacity.”

This was stated Prof Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER, while addressing the PGIMER team after he unfurled the national flag on the occasion of 75^th anniversary of Indian Independence here at PGIMER today. Other dignitaries present during the celebrations included Prof. R.K.Sharma, Dean (Academic), Prof. K. Gauba, Dean (Research), Shri Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, Deputy Director Administration, Sh. Kumar Abhay Financial Adviser, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent & Head, Deptt. of Hospital Administration, and many heads of the departments, senior members from faculty, nursing officers and other wings of administration.

Reiterating the Institute’s commitment towards patient care under the dynamic and visionary guidance of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the Director PGIMER said, “We are lucky to have a Prime Minister of this vision, of this stature and of this conviction. Following his footsteps, we at PGI are striving hard to provide the best possible health care services to our countrymen.”

Further tracing the history of this Institute and acknowledging the immense contribution of founding fathers of PGIMER, Prof. Lal said, “ As we all know, Late Sardar Pratap Singh Kairon had cherished the dream of making PGI. His dream came true on July 7, 1963, when the country's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Nehru Hospital. Dr. Tulsi Dass, Dr. S.S. Anand, Dr. P. N. Chhuttani and many other eminent experts irrigated the PGI with hard work and dedication. It has been recognized as a major medical institution in the country and abroad. Today, due to these, our institute has got the status of National Importance and together we are dedicating our valuable services to the nation.”

“PGI is far beyond a hospital. This institute is a ‘place of prosperity’ that has also been instrumental in making people inhabit this city of Chandigarh. That is the power of this institute, ” said the Director.

“PGI stands for the patients, by the patients and with the patients. Nothing comes near PGI. I hope the world expects the best from us and the world will get the best from us,” aptly concluded the Director.

Following the flag hoisting ceremony, PGI on the eve of 75th Independence Day (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav) celebreated tree plantation diwas with full fervour. Director, PGIMER Prof. Vivek Lal planted the Cassia biflora sapling and kick started the tree plantation drive for planting 400 no. saplings in the campus this monsoon season. All the top officials of the institute participated in the drive and planted a sapling each. This year emphasis is given to plant flowering and medicinal shrubs and trees like lagerstroemia, Tecomas, Cassias, Plumerias etc. The event was organised by the horticulture wing of the engineering deptt. of the institute.