THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

• Chairman, Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society, Dr. D.S. Rana,

• Chairman, Board of Management, Dr. Ajay Swaroop

• Members of the Board of Management of Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society,

• My good friend Dr. Madhavi Chandra

• Dr. Kanwal Gujral

• Doctors, faculty and healthcare professionals,

• Distinguished Guest including from the media

It is an honour, to join you, on the occasion of Founder’s Day, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a day that holds both historical significance, and contemporary relevance, for the institution, and for the, broader healthcare community.

This day, is not only a moment of remembrance, but also an opportunity, to reflect on the values, that have shaped this institution, and continue to guide its work.

Sir Ganga Ram, was a remarkable personality, of his time. An engineer by profession, in pre-partition India, he combined technical excellence, with a deep sense of public service, and social responsibility.  I must mention here that he is a remembered for his contribution during Guru ka Bagh Morcha, where he helped morally and publicly supported successful Sikh mass non-violent agitation that helped expose British brutality. Gandhi Ji Called this as the First Victory of Indian National Movement.

His contributions, to infrastructure development, in Lahore, including several major public buildings, reflect his engineering capability. At the same time, his innovations, in irrigation systems, played an important

 role, in advancing agricultural productivity, and rural development.

What distinguishes his legacy, most significantly, however, is his commitment to philanthropy. He established institutions, such as schools, homes for widows, and the elderly, and other social welfare organisations, often using his personal resources.

Sir Ganga Ram, was not only a builder of physical infrastructure, but also of social institutions, grounded in service, and care. The Trust that he created, continues to reflect, these principles to this day.

It is also significant that 13th April, the day of his birth in 1851, coincides with important cultural celebrations, across India, including Vaisakhi in North India, Rongali Bihu in Assam, and Vishu in Kerala. This adds a symbolic dimension, of renewal and community, to the occasion.

On this same date, the foundation stone of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Lahore, was laid in 1921, and later, the foundation of the Delhi institution, was laid in 1954, by the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

These milestones reflect, continuity in purpose, across time and geography, and the evolution of an institution, rooted in service.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, today stands as a significant institution, in India’s healthcare landscape. Its model is distinctive, in several respects.

It is a doctor-led institution, which ensures that clinical judgment, and professional standards remain central, to its functioning.

A significant proportion of its services, are either free or subsidised, reflecting its continued commitment, to accessibility and inclusion, in healthcare delivery.

At the same time, the hospital operates on a self-sustaining model, where resources generated, are reinvested into infrastructure, technology, and service improvement.

This balance, between financial sustainability, and social responsibility, is an important feature of its institutional design.

Equally important is its emphasis, on teaching and research. The hospital plays a significant role, in medical education, including one of the largest, DNB training programmes, in the country, and is actively involved in research initiatives, supported by bodies, such as the ICMR.

At a broader level, the importance of institutions, such as Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, lies in their contribution to a fundamental public good—healthcare.

Access to quality healthcare, is a key determinant, of human development. It affects not only, individual well-being, but also social stability, and economic productivity.

Hospitals, therefore, are not only service providers; they are critical institutions, within the broader development ecosystem.

In a country of India’s scale, and diversity, the role of trusted healthcare institutions, becomes even more significant. They bridge gaps, in access, support advanced medical care, and contribute to building public confidence, in the health system.

They also play an important role, in responding to evolving health challenges, whether related to lifestyle diseases, public health emergencies, or emerging medical technologies.

Today’s Founder’s Day is also an occasion, to acknowledge the people, who sustain this institution, on a daily basis.

The recognition of long-serving staff, and meritorious contributors, reflects the fact that institutions, are ultimately built by individuals,—doctors, nurses, technicians, administrators, and support staff, who collectively ensure, continuity and care.

Such moments of recognition, reinforce the idea of the hospital, as a community, bound by shared purpose and responsibility.

As we reflect on the legacy, of Sir Ganga Ram, it is also an opportunity, to reaffirm the values, that continue to define this institution—service, professionalism, accessibility, and commitment to improvement.

These values remain as relevant today, as they were, at the time of the hospital’s founding.

On this Founder’s Day, I would like to extend my appreciation, to all those associated with the hospital, for their dedication and service, and to acknowledge the enduring legacy, that continues to guide its work.

I wish the institution, continued success in its mission, of healthcare delivery, education, and research.

Thank you.