Vishwakarma University, Pune Salutes The Spirit Of Saviour In Frontline Healthcare Workers

EE News Desk May 17, 2021

Living up to its image of an outer directed socially conscientious premier higher education institution, Vishwakarma University, Pune, presented Shukriya-an audio-visual tribute to the entire healthcare fraternity across the world coinciding with the joyous occasion of Eid and Akshay Tritaya. This was a project enabled by students from School of Music and Journalism & Mass communication of Vishwakarma University.

Shri. Bharat Agarwal (President, Vishwakarma University) presided over the function and welcomed all. Padma Vibhushan Dr. L. Subramaniam and Padma Shri. Kavita Krishnamurti had graced the occasion.

The heartfelt gratitude was expressed by releasing an original song penned by Mrs. Swati Kelkar and produced by the School of Music and the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication.

Elaborating on the journey of its genesis, Dr. Ruchira Kedar, Head, School of Music, said that the concept of Shukriya was the brainchild of Mrs. Trupti Agarwal, Chairperson, Vishwakarma Schools, and brought to life by students under the guidance of faculty like Prof. Rahul Bharadwaj, Prof. S. Ganamoorthy and herself. The credits for creating an impressive audio-visual were accorded to Prof.Ravi Nikam.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sanjay Agarwal, Head of Medicine, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune and Advisor (VU), praised the inspiring effort as a fitting honour to hundreds of frontline healthcare workers having lost their lives in this war. He further acknowledged the dedication of several healthcare professionals, who in spite of suffering personal losses, have continued to save others. He also touched upon the constant research being done in drug innovation and trials.

The Guest of Honour, Dr. Dhananjay Kelkar, Medical Director, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, said we have come a long way from being looked at as agents of covid to the present day when we are revered as heroes. Explaining how, he informed about an initiative he launched in the face of the pandemic a year ago in 2020 based on aspects of vision, courage and innovation. In fighting the enemy, he not only envisioned but also implemented it as a cohesive effort between all the hospitals, administration and industrial houses. Secondly, for securing the frontline healthcare staff, he propagated the concepts of jalneeti, vitamin D and exercise. Thirdly, path-breaking innovation in treatment played a key role in achieving the stellar success in treating over 20,000 patients so far at Deenanath Hospital.

In his ceremonial address, the Chief Guest, Mr. Sabbas Joseph, co-founder and director Wizcraft International Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the importance of human touch the song evoked. In these tough times, he said nothing compares to selfless work of the medical fraternity. He conveyed the importance of such initiatives and propagating them in the society. Appreciating the song, he expressed his intention to share it with the IIFA community of around 6M audience and in the next stage, reaching out to the european community as a part of a massive fundraiser activity.

Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Siddharth Jabade presented the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude towards Dr. Kelkar, Dr. Agarwal and Mr. Sabbas Joseph and all who were a part of this eventful journey. He especially thanked Padma Vibhushan Dr. L Subramaniyam and Padma Shri Kavita Krishnamurthy for their encouraging support. He concluded by thanking Prof. (Dr) Wasudeo Gade, Vice President , VU, for his invaluable guidance and Dr. Chetan Kapadnis, Dean HSS & JMC for putting together such inspiring work in the shortest possible time.

Shukriya Song Youtube Link