CHANDIGARH, 30.09.25-Speaking as Chief Guest at the Certification Ceremony organised by PGIMER for student volunteers from Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector -26, Chandigarhalongside an orientation for the new batch from MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, andPanjab University under Project SARATHI, Prof.VivekLal, Director, PGIMER, praised the spirit of volunteerism and described SARATHI as a “freedom from harassment.”

Prof.Lal underpinned, “Patients often feel lost, unwanted, or harassed in the system. When a volunteer wearing the SARATHI jacket steps forward to guide them—whether to a ward, a doctor, or an investigation—they feel cared for, and their suffering is reduced. That is the true role of SARATHI.”

Encouraging the new volunteers, Director PGIMER added, “Make it your goal every day to help at least ten patients—those on stretchers, in wheelchairs, or the elderly. Don’t wait for them to approach you; go to them. Such acts leave a lifelong imprint and shape you into better human beings as even small acts of kindness are, in truth, big acts.”

Highlighting its psychological dimension, Prof.Lal added, “In today’s society, depression and stress are rising because people think only of themselves. Helping others brings fulfilment, and fulfilment brings happiness. By easing hardship and spreading comfort, SARATHI plants seeds of happiness that last long after the service ends.”

The meeting was chaired by Prof.VivekLal, Director PGIMER and was participated by Prof. R.K. Ratho, Dean (Academics); Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Research); Mr.PankajRai, Deputy Director (Administration); Mr.Ravinder Singh, Financial Advisor; and Prof. Ashok Kumar, Acting Medical Superintendent.

Sharing the initiative’s journey, Mr.PankajRai, Deputy Director (Administration), said, “Launched in May 2024, SARATHI (Students’ Alliance for Responsible Action to Transform Healthcare Institutes) began as a modest idea to involve students in supporting patients. Today, it has grown into a high-impact initiative with participation from 17 institutions—2 vocational institutes (NINE & PU), 8 degree colleges, and 7 schools—with digitised attendance and feedback mechanisms.”

Mr.Raihighlighted its measurable impact, “1,163 students engaged across multiple OPDs; 444 man-days of direct student support; and 68,280 man-hours of voluntary patient care, including crucial assistance during the outsourced workers’ strike. Deputy Director (Administration) also emphasised its intangible gains: “SARATHI has nurtured health consciousness among youth, built resilience in stressed environments, and promoted better utilisation of resources—leading to reduced congestion, improved efficiency, and a compassionate, patient-centric perception of PGIMER.”