Founder's Day celebrations . . .

20th November was the day Dr Mark Kniss and his team opened the Medical Clinic at Tumbagarah village which later developed into the Nav Jivan Hospital. This year, we decided to celebrate Founder's Day. I wonder if it's the first time it's being done. 

We had wanted to do things grander. However, the increased patient load and my being away did not allow much planning. Nevertheless, we decided to have a time of fellowship, remembrance and feasting to celebrate the founding of the hospital. 

Below are few snaps from the program. It was a blessing to have had Mr. Jayakumar and Mr. Victor from Central Office, EHA as well as Mr.Thomas Kurian, Managing Director, Jiwan Jyothi Christian Hospital, Robertsganj - our nearest sister hospital. 

A section of the audience

The choreography from the Nursing students and staff . . . 

Sunday school students performing . . . 

Our Regional Director, giving the message . . . 

Another section of the audience . . . 

Puppet dance, the 'surprise' of the day . . .

Serving the food . . . 

Enjoying the food . . .

Just a mention of the fact that we decided to have the celebrations on the 13th November rather than on the 20th due to technical reasons. 

Golden Jubilee celebrations - The Beginning

We kicked off our Golden Jubilee celebrations by welcoming Dr Mark Kniss and his son, Mr James Kniss to NJH. Dr Mark and James had arrived one day back in Ranchi and were staying with an old friend.

I was blessed to pick up Dr Kniss and Mr James from Ranchi. After a long drive taking almost 4 hours, thanks to inhospitable roads - we reached NJH by around 6:30 pm to be greeted by almost the whole campus including the families.

There was traditional dance organised quite well by the nursing school students which escorted the guests to the chapel in the middle of the campus.

There was the traditional hand-washing ceremony followed by garlanding of the guests.

As soon as we had finished welcoming Dr Kniss and Mr James, Dr Nandamani's vehicle with Dr Ron Hiles arrived.

Once everybody was settled, Dr Nandamani was also pushed in to sit along with the guests.

Little did he know that we still remembered that it was his birthday and we ended the programme garlanding him and singing 'Happy Birthday'.