Capt. (Retd.) Bana Singh PVC, ‘the Hero of Siachin’ inaugurates the New Academic Session of PGIMER

Capt. (Retd.) Bana Singh PVC, ‘the Hero of Siachin’ inaugurates the New Academic Session of PGIMER

Inspires young resident doctors with his engaging narratives of exemplary courage & valour from the highest battlefield in the world

The nation is supreme. We exist because our nation exists and there is no price too big in the line of duty to our nation: Capt. (Retd.) Bana Singh PVC

Chandigarh: March 7: “The nation is supreme. We exist because our nation exists and there is no price too big in the line of duty to our nation,” stated  Capt. (Retd.) Bana Singh PVC, ‘ the Hero of Siachen’ while addressing as the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of the new Academic Session of PGIMER, attended by key functionaries, heads of the departments and newly joined residents keeping in sync with COVID appropriate behaviour here at Bhargava Auditorium, PGIMER today.

‘A soldier ‘is not to reason why, ours is but to do and die’, aptly exemplifying the immortal lines of Tennyson, Capt. (Retd.) Bana Singh PVC motivated the newly inducted doctors in an extremely impassioned tone as he said, “All of us have been assigned some duty. Being a soldier, I just did my duty as was mandated. Being doctors, your duty is to serve the patients. So just do your duty with utmost devotion, unwavering commitment, without any ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ and only keeping the bigger picture in mind. We have to prove true to the trust reposed in us by our institute. Good work will surely be acknowledged.”

“We don’t succeed alone. It’s the team, the synergy, the coordination that enable us accomplish exceptional feats,” stated the humility personified Capt. (Retd.) Bana Singh PVC while narrating how his team wrested control of the highest peak on the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir from Pakistani forces as part of Operation Rajiv. Following his success, India renamed the peak (previously designated as Quaid Post by the Pakistanis) to ‘Bana Post’ in his honour.

Capt. Bana Singh gave a valuable life lesson to the new resident doctors as he aptly concluded, “Whatever you wish to do, do it with patience and fortitude. Success is bound to follow.”

Earlier, Prof Surjit Singh, Director PGIMER while introducing the Chief Guest recounted the deeds of valour and bravery of the braveheart. He detailed how Capt Bana Singh had led his men at a height of 21,000 feet by displaying the most conspicuous gallantry and leadership under the most adverse conditions.

The Director PGIMER  urged the residents “to emulate Capt. (Retd.) Bana Singh’s example of exceptional courage, selfless devotion to duty and to maintain the honour and integrity of the country.”

This was followed by an engaging presentation by Dr. (Major) Guru Prasad, who has the distinction of having served at Siachin for six months. He acquainted the audience with the hostile conditions that exist at  Siachen Glacier as he said “The highest and coldest combat theater in the history of the world where temperatures dip to minus 52 degrees Celsius, this landscape is an unforgiving battleground where the armies of India and Pakistan have faced off each other for years.” Dr Prasad is now pursuing his residency in Department of Hospital Administration at our Institute.

Prof. R.K. Sharma, Head, Deptt. of Plastic Surgery, PGIMER conducted the pinning-up ceremony of resident doctors who had joined the Institute in July 2021 and January 2022 sessions and exhorted them to conduct themselves with dedication and sincerity.

Prof. K Gauba,  Head, Deptt. of Oral Health Sciences, PGIMER thanked the newly joined students for choosing PGI and apprised them about the academic and social challenges ahead and wished them a bright future.

The inaugural ceremony was marked by the distinguished presence of Prof. Subhash Varma, former Director, PGIMER, Kumar Gaurav Dhawan Deputy Director Administration, Kumar Abhay Financial Advisor, Prof. Vipin Koushal,  Medical Superintendent cum Head Dept. of Hospital Administration, Heads of the Departments, senior faculty and resident doctors of the Institute.