18 years of relieving suffering: Pallium India’s journey so far
Shankar Mahadevan and K S Chithra launch festivities
True to its mission of partnership with the community, care recipients, family members, volunteers and staff came together to celebrate Pallium India’s 18th anniversary with a zoom event, live-streamed on Facebook on the 15th of December, 2021.
In his inaugural speech, Shankar Mahadevan said he was very glad that we have been going beyond hospitals to give psychological and social support to our patients. He was happy that his troupe SMA Nirvana was associated with Pallium India, to bring a smile to the faces of the people who were suffering.
Kerala’s nightingale Dr K S Chithra officially launched “Karunanjali”, a joint cultural form of patients, families and palliative care workers. We all sat enthralled as she sang ‘Lokam muzhuvan sukham pakaraanaayi, sneha deepamae mizhi thurakku’.
There were a few gems from the participants:
Shri Vijayanand IAS, trustee of Pallium India and former chief secretary of Kerala: While being proud of our achievements including framing of Kerala’s palliative care policy, we need to look ahead and scale up to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’.
Dr M R Rajagopal, chairman, Pallium India: Starting with Ms Gilly Burn and Dr Robert Twycross, a lot of people from around the world held our hands and helped us to reach where we are. If we could reach about 100,000 needy people so far, we should dream big and reach 10 million in 10 years. “Collaboration is the key.”
Ms Poonam Bagai, vice-chairman of Pallium India: The achievements play a big responsibility on us. We have far to go.
Kishore Nair, interim CEO: Let us plan ahead for the next ten years. By demonstrating, educating and facilitating, we can achieve our mission of life with dignity for ten million people.
Manoj GS, Executive Director, Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS): Today we launched a special program to identify and ensure equitable care to people who are vulnerable physically, socially or emotionally.
Dr Sunil Kumar, Additional Director, TIPS: We will concentrate on quality of care for everyone who needs it.
Smriti Rana, Head of Policy, Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement: Today is the 18th anniversary of a place that is not just the epicentre that shapes, crafts and fuels the way I see the world and my place and purpose in it but also my North Star and the place where a light is always left on for me to find my way home.
Shalini AJ, Head of State Facilitation: Kuchh adhure hum hain / Kuchh adhure tum ho / Chalo mil jayen aur poora karen kuchh toh (“I am incomplete in one way / You are incomplete in another / Lets come together to create something complete & beautiful.”)
Pallium India’s new theme song was released and was sung by a few members of the team.
This was followed by vote of thanks by Babu Abraham (Head, Social Engagement) and cultural programs by care recipients, family members, volunteers and staff.
(Report prepared by Usha Krishnaraj, volunteer, Pallium India.)
The recording of the anniversary celebrations can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/palliumindia/videos/240208031559379
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