Silver Lining

It was a celebration with a cause. Taking time out from their hectic schedules, as many as 400 doctors from around the world...

The alumni of Government Medical College, Amritsar, batch of 8217;83, met up for more than a party

It was a celebration with a cause. Taking time out from their hectic schedules, as many as 400 doctors from around the world, the batch of 8216;78-8217;83 of the Government Medical College, Amritsar, spent an afternoon under the sun at the Lake Club today. Organized by the Chandigarh Chapter of the College, Dr Gurmohan S Sandhu played the perfect host, making sure that besides re-establishing bonds, the reunion also highlighted the ailing state of their alma mater and to ensure that some concrete steps are taken to bring it back to health. 8220;Twenty-five years of passing out is a superb occasion to get in touch and with many of our batch mates now doing well abroad, we thought the silver jubilee would be an apt opportunity to get talking about the college,8217;8217; explains Dr Sandhu. With many former students eager to pitch in with funds for the College, for starters, the batch has adopted the lecture theatre at the College, and work8217;s begun to get in new air-conditioners, projectors, seating, as well as renovations. 8220;It8217;s a small start, but we8217;re on a roll and we owe it to the College, for we8217;re all doing well in our fields and the need of the hour is to support government-aided institutes,8217;8217; Dr Roshan Sunkaria is looking forward to catch up with old friends, many he will meet only after 25 years!

Dr Tarun Gupta, now in the pharmaceutical business in Hong Kong is back after a long gap, 8220;it8217;s not a good feeling that the place which shaped your future is in a sad state and I think this reunion will help get many things in action.8217;8217; Jaswinder Singh Dhillon, a paediatric critical care specialist back in the US, has been in touch with a larger group, as in the US they have an organization of old students of the college and are also in touch with what8217;s on in the medical field here in India. 8220;The social aspect of medicine is looking up and India is attracting many people from abroad for treatments, as costs are low and level of care is good. What we lack is standardization,8217;8217; Dr Dhillon feels totally connected to his college and is looking forward to add value to it.

Dr Anupam Sachdeva, Head, Pediatric Hematology , Sri Ganga Ram Hospital has designed the souvenirs using old and new photographs, adding some of families also, 8220;it brought back so many memories and good feelings.8217;8217; So long8230;

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More