PGI celebrates ‘Diwali of Research’, calls for patient-centric innovation

Jaismeen Kaur

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research on Saturday celebrated its 12th Annual Research Day, with institute leadership calling for a shift from “promotional” research to patient-centric scientific innovation.

Describing the event as a “Diwali of Research”, PGI Director Dr Vivek Lal said the institute’s future global standing would depend not only on clinical excellence but also on impactful scientific research. The event showcased cutting-edge medical research and innovations produced by the institute.

Delivering the keynote address, Nikhil Tandon, Dean of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, praised the depth and quality of research being conducted at PGI. In his special lecture titled “Wearing Two Hats: Doctor’s Dilemma”, Tandon spoke about the challenge clinician-scientists face in balancing patient care and research. “Most medical professionals in India wear two hats—one of providing patient care and the other of pursuing research. Balancing these responsibilities is not easy, but it is essential for improving healthcare and generating meaningful scientific knowledge,” he said.

Presenting the annual research overview, Sanjay Jain, Dean (Research), said the institute initiated around 250 externally funded research projects during the past year through agencies such as the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, securing nearly Rs 140 crore in grants. He noted that 329 research papers published in national and international journals and 59 innovations, including seven patented technologies, were showcased during the event.

Poster presentations highlighting research conducted between April 2025 and March 2026 were displayed during the morning session, reflecting the institute’s vibrant research ecosystem and interdisciplinary collaboration.