PGI celebrates 1 year of Sarathi project
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) today celebrated its first annual “Sarathi Day”, a tribute to the spirit of voluntary service and the impact of the ‘Sarathi Yojana’ on patient care. The scheme is a first-of-its-kind initiative to help the patients and their attendants visiting the leading healthcare institute of North India.
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, who was the chief guest, hailed the initiative as a national model for youth engagement in healthcare.
Addressing the audience, Kataria quoted Swami Vivekananda as he underscored the transformative power of service. He said, “Life belongs to those who live for others, as helping others brings unparalleled joy.”
Emphasising the impact of young volunteers, the Governor said, “When young volunteers help someone for the first time, they begin to understand the true joy of service. Through the Sarathi Yojana, the PGI is not just facilitating patients, it is cultivating future citizens with a spirit of humanity.”
Kataria, who paid his first official visit to the PGIMER after assuming the charge of Governor in July last, lauded the Sarathi initiative as a “beacon of hope and responsibility among youth”, commending the PGI for fostering a culture of service and community health awareness. Visibly impressed by the initiative’s success, the Governor remarked, “A little support can save time, ease stress and transform a patient’s experience. Fuelled by the vision of PGI leadership and the unwavering dedication of NSS volunteers, this initiative has reached over 400 hospitals.”
Earlier, the PGI Director, Prof Vivek Lal, in his welcome address, emphasised the significance of the Sarathi initiative in building stronger community linkages through youth engagement. “What began as a small gesture to ease patient journeys on this vast campus has grown into a source of relief for thousands. But beyond helping patients, it’s instilling in our youth the true spirit of seva — selfless service as a way of life,” he said.
Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director Administration, PGI, provided an insightful overview of the project Sarathi and narrated how a small idea had snowballed into a movement being implemented at 442 hospitals across the nation.
Voicing the transformative experiences of the NSS volunteers, Mansi Sharma, an NSS volunteer from the Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, said, “Through the project Sarathi, we’ve learned that service isn’t just about guiding patients or filling forms but it’s also all about restoring dignity and offering hope. In helping others, we’ve grown ourselves because there is no greater dharma than seva, and no greater karma than humanity.”
A special segment was dedicated to honouring outstanding NSS volunteers and the heads of participating institutions. Among those recognised were 16 exemplary students from the Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, and six from the MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, who received accolades for their exceptional service under the guidance of their NSS Programme Officers.
Prof Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGI, said, “The inaugural celebration of Sarathi Day stands as a powerful testament to the potential of youth-led change and community partnerships in advancing health promotion and volunteerism”.
Chandigarh