The third and final day of the National Conference of the Indian Association for Social Psychiatry (NCIASP 2025) concluded with thought-provoking sessions that brought the focus back to the community, home, and personal narratives at the heart of mental health.

A major highlight of the day was the plenary lecture by Prof. Swaranpreet Singh on Cultural Psychiatry, which captivated the audience with insights into how cultural frameworks shape the understanding, expression, and treatment of mental illness.

Dr Khaiwal encouraged individuals to take simple but impactful steps like carpooling, using bicycles, planting trees, and reducing indoor pollutants. Prof. Khaiwal urged the audience, especially youth, to be active champions for clean air, stressing that the journey must be continuous, driven by innovation, policy support, and community engagement.

Prof. Sonu Goel, Director of RCTC, welcomed participants and emphasized that the webinar was organized at a pivotal moment, following the Government of India’s recent reforms in tobacco taxation policy.

*Theme: Social Determinants of Mental Health 12th–14th September 2025 | PGIMER, Chandigarh*

At PGIMER, Chandigarh, a team of doctors, Dr. Sushant Kumar Sahoo, Dr. Renu Madan, Dr. Narender Kumar, Dr.Dhandapani SS, and Dr. Chirag Ahuja, have successfully treated over 2000 cases of brain diseases with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Sanjay Behari, Director, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

As part of the 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight 2025, an awareness lecture was organized at the Advanced Eye Centre (AEC), PGIMER. Dr. Deeksha, Senior Resident, highlighted the significance of eye donation and addressed common myths surrounding it.

*The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has once again reaffirmed its position among the nation’s premier healthcare institutions by securing 2nd Rank in the Medical Category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, announced today by Sh. Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of India, at a ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

Prof. S.S. Pandav, Head of Advanced Eye Centre, warmly welcomed Prof. Namrata Sharma (Chairman, Scientific Committee, AIOS), Dr. Prashant Bawankule (Chairman, ARC), Dr. Tinku Bali (Coordinator, Member ARC North Zone), and esteemed faculty from across India

To mark the 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight, PGIMER Eye Bank, in collaboration with Lions Club Central and GMCH Eye Bank, organized an awareness walk from Rock Garden to Sukhna Lake with the aim of spreading the noble message of eye donation.

Dr. Sukhpal Kaur, Principal of NINE, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in sensitizing nursing students toward community health responsibilities as she said, "Nursing students are among the most vital healthcare providers, and their involvement in spreading awareness about eye donation can make a significant difference at the grassroots level".

*The program was inaugurated by Prof. R.K. Ratho, Dean (Academic), Sh. Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Admn.) and Prof. Vipin Kaushal, Medical Superintendent and Head, Department of Hospital Administration, PGI, Chandigarh.*Being the Organizing Chairperson of the conference, Dr. Nancy Sahni, Chief Dietician & Head of the Department, emphasized the relationship between nutritional science and exercise performance, muscle recovery and improved endurance.

Highlighting the significance of eye donation, Dr. S S Pandav, Professor & Head of the Advanced Eye Centre at PGI, stated, "Eye donation is a precious gift that transforms lives. Every pledge made brings hope to many who are waiting for a chance to regain their vision. Let us all pledge to donate eyes and help restore the gift of sight to those in need."

The program was led by Organising Chairperson, Prof. Davinder Parsad; Scientific Chairperson, Prof. Sunil Dogra; and Organising Secretary, Dr Vinay Keshavmurthy. Prof. Sanjeev Handa, Sub-dean research PGIMER, Head of the Department of Dermatology at PGIMER formally inaugurated the event with Prof Balachandra Ankad, Founding President of the Dermatoscopy Society of India, while Dr G P Thami, Director Principal, GMCH 32, Chandigarh, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.

*3 Brave Heart Donor Families amid their own grief, **Give Gift of Life to 9 and Gift of Sight to 2 more, **Impacting 11 lives and kindling Hope in Many More *

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Kapil Goel, Associate Professor and Faculty In-charge of the Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Sector 25, welcomed the guests and participants, highlighting the commitment of PGIMER and partner organizations towards building a healthy, addiction-free, and mentally strong society.

Prof. Vivek, Lal(Director) PGIMER Honoured 11 officers/officials on their superannuation today by giving speech & presenting mementos to them

Speaking about these initiatives, Prof. S.S. Pandav, Head, Department of Ophthalmology, PGIMER , said, “The gift of sight is one of the most profound acts of humanity. Eye donation not only restores vision but also restores hope and dignity to those living in darkness".

Commending the initiative of CHM students, Prof. S. S. Pandav, Head, Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER , said, "The greatest service one can render is to give another person the gift of sight. Eye donation is a simple act, yet it holds the power to change futures.