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From the Vice President- Dr Navdeep Saini

Dear Friends,

Greetings from the CMC Alumni Association!

It’s a pleasure to write my first letter as Vice President of the Alumni Association. After doing my graduation

from Government Medical College Amritsar, I joined CMC family in 2001 for my post-graduation in Department of Surgery and continued my affair with this beautiful institution. My two months posting in Mission Hospital Herbertpur helped me in taking this very important decision. I understood the real meaning of words of our Founder “My work is for a King” during mission posting.

As preparation for Quasquicentennial celebrations are underway, I would like to reiterate that CMC is now “a 125 YEAR YOUNG” (not old) institution, headed currently by a very young and energetic administrative team. We are looking forward to welcome you all for this important milestone.

This monthly newsletter has been made possible by the efforts of a dedicated and hard-working team of editorial board led by Dr Clarence J. Samuel, which helps us to connect on this digital platform.

Thanking you and happy reading!

Dr Navdeep Saini PG ‘01 Professor Department of Surgery

CMC News-Online

Cycles Rally for Cancer Awareness

September is observed as Cancer Awareness month. Christian Medical College Ludhiana has been hosting several awareness activities as part

of its initiative to raise awareness regarding cancer. On 30thSeptember, around 100 CMC doctors and their families along with MBBS students and 35 volunteers participated in a cycle rally. The rally was flagged off by the CMC’s Associate

Director, Dr Dhruv Ghosh ‘90 from the CMC campus. The rally made its way through Brown Road, then Field Ganj over the Jagroan Bridge

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and then to Rakh Bagh (Rock Garden) before making its way back. Cycles were provided by Avon Cycles and Bombay House Cycles, T-shirts by Kevin Ninan and refreshments were arranged by Faculty Club.

Dr Dhruv Ghosh ’90, Dr Uttam B George ‘92 and Dr Jugesh Chhatwal ‘75 were instrumental in organizing this rally and overwhelmed by the response of all participants.

Physiotherapy Department conducts a camp at Nirdosh School for Special Children

The Physiotherapy department is visiting the Nirdosh School for special children every Tuesday to provide physiotherapy services to physically disabled children. The session included providing physiotherapy treatment, creating awareness on the problems faced by the

children and developing the treatment plan along with the teachers.

This was about the motor skills, the various different exercises to overcome their specific health issues etc.

Dr Sandeep Singh Saini (PT)

The Department of Ophthalmology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana organized its 14th Annual Ophthalmic Quiz and Awareness talks for doctors and medical students on 11th September, 2018. Dr William Bhatti, Director was the Chief Guest for the occasion. He encouraged & appreciated the efforts of the Department in organizing this academic session and also in spreading awareness about common eye disorders. The Guest of Honor, Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian, and Principal also spoke on this occasion and reiterated the importance of having regular academic sessions for all the students. Among the 48 undergraduate MBBS teams, 5 teams had qualified for the quiz following the preliminary round. Dr Nitin Batra and Dr Vibha Baldev conducted the finals.

Dr Bhumika and Dr Paramjot Kaur, from the Batch of 2013 emerged as the Champions in the

Ophthalmology Quiz - 2018

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closely contested quiz. Mr. Ewan Thomas A. and Mr Akash Saji Thomas, from the MBBS Batch of 2015 presented interesting talks on “The Mind Game” and “Ocular Prostheses & LVAs” respectively. Senior Administrators, the Principals of CDC, CON, COP, the Med. Supt., the Nursing Supt. and faculty members were among those attended the quiz.

Dr Nitin Batra, PG ‘94

14thAnnual Pharmacology Quiz

Quiz is an interesting method in teaching learning activities. The Department of Pharmacology, CMC &Hospital, Ludhiana organized “Pharmiz-2018”, the 14thAnnual Pharmacology Quiz for MBBS Students, on 6thSeptember 2018. Four teams from MBBS batches 2013-2016were selected through prelim round conducted on 28th August, 2018. Dr William Bhatti, Director, CMC inaugurated the quiz and emphasized on making learning innovative and interesting with use of interesting methods. He appreciated the continuity of the quiz for 14 years. Dr Jeyaraj Pandian, Principal, CMC conveyed his best wishes for the all the four teams.

Dr Dinesh Badyal, Quiz master, has conducted the quiz along with team from pharmacology department. During Quiz Dr Badyal emphasized the contribution of CMC in reporting adverse drug reactions (ADR) to the national pool through ADR monitoring center of CMC under aegis of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. The data is finally submitted through “Vigiflow” a special software program to

World Health Organization (WHO) center, Uppsala Monitoring center in Sweden. CMCL has contributed more than 3500 ADRs. Dr Gagandeep Kwatra has introduced the history, concept of annual pharmacology quiz and the team conducting it.

The winners Dr Sajeev John Jacob and Ajay Ales Jacob, (MBBS batch 2013) were awarded with trophies and certificates. The winners of the poster making competition with the theme “Mechanism of action of drugs” were also awarded. Winning team included Astha, Evangini, Natasha, Sasha, Akshay, Badam, Joshua, Pranay, Samuel, Tanveer, Muskan of MBBS batch 2016.

SYSTOLE 2018

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Training Medical Teachers In The Art And Science Of Medical Education

7th Advanced Course in Medical Education The seventh advance course in medical education (ACME) was conducted at MCI Nodal center for Faculty Development CMC, Ludhiana from 11-15th September. CMC Ludhiana is the National Nodal Center of Medical Council of India for training medical teachers in the art and science of

medical education. CMC, Ludhiana was the first center to start the inaugural edition of advance course in medical education in the country in 2014. Department of Medical Education, CMCL, has well qualified and trained faculty in conducting faculty development programs in the institute and at various institutes in India and abroad.

Dr Tejinder Singh is the convener of the center. ACME is a yearlong course with 2 on-site and 2 online learning sessions. At the poster day, 25 new teachers and 24 teachers of the previous batch assembled to present 24 posters on research and innovations in medical education. The emphasis of the course is not only on teaching method but also on educational leadership, educational research and student centeredness. It also aims at promoting educational networking among teachers and institutions to disseminate innovative teaching methods.

Dr William Bhatti extended his best wishes for the week long longitudinal course for medical teachers. Dr Jeyaraj Pandian, Principal, appreciated the high quality research projects in medical education and welcome all the participants. He stressed on the need for teachers using innovative educational methods to maximize learning.

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A total of 24 posters were presented. Four CMCL faculty are participants in this session. According to Dr Dinesh Badyal, In charge of the course, CMCL caters to 43 medical colleges in North and north east India. So far, over 200 teachers have been trained at our center in ACME. The eligibility for applying for ACME is to attend basic course workshop and submission of a research project in medical education. The basic framework of ACME includes project based learning in afternoon sessions and competency based curriculum in morning sessions. Dr Purnima Barua from Jorhat Medical College bagged the first prize for her poster. This training

is crucial to prepare teachers for the proposed new medical curriculum likely to roll out shortly. The target is to have 30% teachers of each college undergo this course. The program faculty also included Drs. Jugesh Chhatwal, Monika Sharma, Gagandeep Kwatra, Bharti Uppal, Sheena Singh, Aroma Oberoi, Shavinder Singh, Ajay Kumar and Deepshikha. Participants were high appreciative of the interactive methods showcased by the faculty and felt that many of these can be replicated in their own institutions in teaching learning activities.

MD Pharmacology students top state university for the 3rd

consecutive year Postgraduate students of MD Pharmacology, CMC Ludhiana have bagged the highest honours at Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) examination for consecutive third year. This year Dr Swati Choudhary topped regular examination of MD Pharmacology of the university held in June, 2018. In 2017, Dr Swetha Reba Mathew topped the MD Pharmacology examination conducted in June. In June 2016, Dr Meenu Thomas topped MD Pharmacology

examination as well as all the MD/MS examination of the BFUHS. Dr Meenu and Dr Swetha were awarded Gold Medal in convocation of the university. Dr Meenu also topped, DNB Pharmacology at All India level and was awarded Gold Medal by convocation of National Board of Examinations in Delhi in September, 2018.

Dr Dinesh Badyal, in-charge MD training program, Dept. of Pharmacology highlighted the innovative methods being used in MD training program in the department. He added that the department MD training program nurtures the teaching, research and leadership skills of the students. He added that department of pharmacology is also doing a number of projects where MD students work on important research projects. These students also get opportunity to work in adverse drug reaction monitoring center of Ministry of Health being run by the department.

The department has published landmark papers in MD training program and also published an All India survey on MD training in India. The team of faculty including Drs Gagandeep Kwatra, Gaurav Gulrez and Madhulika are leading various sections of the training. The department is planning further expansion to develop a centre of excellence in Clinical Pharmacology.

Dr Dinesh K Badyal

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‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’ in CMC

As part of the ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’ the students of CMCs constituent colleges held a variety of activities from 25the Sept to 3rd October. The campaigning was kicked off with Dr William Bhatti ’84 Director CMC & H literally picking up the broom.

Nursing students, Medical students, dental students, physiotherapy students and allied health sciences students exchanged books for brooms. With the director and the principals leading them they marched to clean the main road.

Dr Jeyaraj Pandian, Principal, CMC inspired the students to lead by example even in community issues and not be confined to clinical issues.

Dr Reena Jairus (Principal College of Nursing) commended the students for the good posters and banners that they prepared. She wanted their promise in keeping their rooms, hostels clean which will keep the country clean. The college

principals then led the students in cleaning a stretch of the main road.

There various activities throughout the week like cleaning their hostels and class rooms etc. the finale was the street-play- Nukkad natak competition between the Colleges. The coordinator for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan were Dr Clarence J. Samuel, along with Dr Vivek from CDC, Dr Rajvinder Pandher (PT) from college of Physiotherapy and from College of Nursing.

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Mr Sanjeet took the lead with support from other faculty.

Ex- Rossians gives Ross Hostel a Facelift

When I write this piece on Ross Hostel, I am speaking on behalf of all of those who lived in Ross Hostel. Most of us come to Ross Hostel when we are about 18 years old. Ross hostel became our home for next 5 and half years. This is the place where we grow from being a teenager to a young doctor. This is also the place where we make lifelong friends. We learn to live away from our parents and siblings. Slowly but surely life in Ross hostel grows on you. You might leave the hostel one day, but the memories created in this hostel will be with you for the rest of your life.

Like all other Rossians we also have fond memories of life in Ross Hostel. Last year when we all came back to Ludhiana to join in the 50 years reunion of our class, we visited Ross Hostel also. We saw the need for a lot of improvement on the overall maintenance and aesthetic look of the hostel. Dr Harish Anand (batch of 1965) who is married to one of my classmates Dr Parveen Gujral (1967 batch) decided to do something to improve the condition of our former home Ross. I was roped in to look after the progress of work here.

So I employed a landscaper Mr. Ravinder Singh Mann from Malerkotla and two of my trusted mali’s, Hausla Prasad and Tulsi. I also consulted

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two of the present day Rossians and student council members Jurgen’2014 and Raj Pratik’ 2014 before starting the work.

We have tried to cover the whole ground with either lawns or tiles except for the volley ball court, so that there would be minimum dust around. The hard work has brought beautiful results as one can see now when they visit hostel. Although the work was complete a few months ago, I arranged the two gardeners for some more time so the beautification could be maintained till the responsibility will be passed on to presently employed caretakers. We also gave equipment for the Gym in the hostel and a RO filter for the hostel mess.

Now it is the job of the present residents of the hostel to maintain it and improve on it. We (Drs Harish Anand, Praveen Anand and myself) will be willing to help you in this task.

I have some photos here to show the change that we were able to bring about in the cleanliness and greenery of the place. Hope you would enjoy them at the same time refreshing the great old memories of your stay here in Ross Hostel.

Ross Hostel before and after the renovation

Before & After

Before

After

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Before

After

Before

After

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ALUMNUS IN FOCUS

“Dissected” book Dr Naveen Kakkar ‘87

We would like to congratulate Dr Naveen Kakkar, Prof of Pathology for publishing his first book “Dissected”. We have gotten used to the high quality academic stuff from Dr Naveen Kakkar’s pen, the sporadic burst of humor in Christanios Medicos gave us a few hints but his debut in the publishing his first book is something else.

The turn of phrase and the humor is

extraordinary and it’s about time that is genius is revealed to the world. The characters are all identifiable and

relatable. Looking

forward to more from the wordsmith. We would encourage each of you to please

read the book.

Dr Naveen writes…. I have written a fictional book, "Dissected" based on experiences of a batch of students in their first year at a medical school. This is a light-hearted take on beginners fumbling through the 1st professional subjects. Everyone who has gone through the medical course will relate to the events captured. The synopsis is as follows: Medicine brings forth images of dour, grave-looking faces with heads buried in thick books. Naah….not at Dale. Set in an era much before hyper-connectivity made us social recluses, this is

a hilarious take on the lives of fifty teenagers. Walk with them as they face the challenges of a treacherous first term at a medical school in Damsar, through the landmines of the anatomy hall, the eccentric physiological concepts and the endless biochemistry cycles that most did not give a damn for; well nearly most. This is a saga of how the class survived the adventure of a bus trip with a sloshed driver, the dressing down by teachers, the quirks of their own characters and still found time to shake a leg or two. Find out if Podgy and Palak will be together right till the end? Will Lego find his balance and Joy his joy? Will Tazo survive his class? Will people keep falling off the South Pole? Rohan needs this answer, desperately!

You can watch the trailer at https://bit.ly/2C6lB4B

The book is available online at: www.notionpress.com/read/dissected Flipkart.com- https://bit.ly/2EedpSw Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2CDRa6Z Amazon.in- https://amzn.to/2OTFKS8

CMC Vellore College Motto Award to Dr Ashita & Dr Deepak Samson Singh ’92 Dr Ashita Waghmare PG Alumnus received the CMC Vellore College Motto Award during the Alumni weekend in August 2018. The College Motto Award, originally instituted by the batch of 1949, aims to recognize and honor the practice of the Colleges’ motto in the lives of its relatively younger alumni. While this may often be in rural, remote or impoverished communities or in the field of public health, any unpopular and under-served area of human need may be considered. The choice should be based on the closest available approximation to being “steadfast, selfless and significant”. It is presented annually at the Alumni Reunion and includes a citation, a cash award and travel expenses for the person or couple (within India). Only one candidate can be selected, except that if the spouse of the winner is also a CMC graduate

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(from any batch), the award should be given jointly to them.

Citation Ashita Waghmare joined the Christian Medical College Vellore in the year 1993. Her motivation to do medicine and commitment to Christ was evident through her life and example. Blessed with a wonderful voice, she was a regular member of the college choir. She married Dr Deepak Singh, who like her, had a heart to serve in needy areas of India. Pursuing their higher studies, Ashita did her MD in General Medicine While Deepak completed MS in General Surgery, both from CMC Ludhiana. After completing their postgraduate studies in the year 2004, they moved to work in Baptist Christian Hospital, Tezpur, Assam. There was a great need for this hospital to be revived. Malnutrition, anemia, infectious diseases like tuberculosis and malaria were rampant in that region. Challenged and moved by the healthcare situation, they began their work with much prayer. Very soon people from near and far started flocking to the hospital. With excellent surgical skills, Deepak performed both open and laparoscopic surgical procedures. In the year 2006, there was a serve outbreak of cerebral malaria and seeing the enormous need for critical care. Ashita started an Intensive Care Unit.

During their time in Tezpur, the hospital grew leaps and bounds in terms of number of patients, manpower, services, infrastructure, equipment and research. Deepak ably led the hospital as the Medical Superintendent. Many people from surrounding districts and from Arunachal Pradesh came there for treatment. The lad services which were started as a one room facility

became a full-fledged three-floor laboratory with services in clinical pathology, biochemistry and microbiology. As many patients presented with acute renal failure, they started peritoneal dialysis services for them. The hospital became well equipped with Ultrasound and CT scan machines. Ashita was part of them that was instrumental in alerting the government of an outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis. She has published research papers on Acute Undifferentiated Fever and Japanese encephalitis. She was instrumental in starting the DNB training program in Family Medicine in the hospital.

Tribute to Dr Manish Sonsati (Batch of 1991)

(12.04.1972 – 13.08.2018) Dr Manish Sonsati is a man who was admired by his classmates for his patience, tolerance and gentle smile. He was always composed, collected and calm in the way he interacted with others. The most remarkable quality in him was the dexterity he exhibited in the early days of anatomy dissection competition when he exposed all the superficial veins and cutaneous nerves of the hand. A firm believer of Christ, he spent long quiet evenings on the terrace reading the Bible and praying which translated to love and forbearance. He was also known for his good sense of humor with his unanticipated “one liners” which surprised us often. His cooking skills and mouthorgan mastery were not known to many. He maintained his humble abode in the hostel neat and tidy consistently throughout the year even without the fairer gender not visiting his room. After completing his MBBS, he worked in Padhar hospital, MP and pursued post-graduation in general surgery from CMC Ludhiana and later moved on to Edgbaston UK along with his wife

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Meetu. He practiced with dedication and passion in the cardiothoracic surgery unit at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital till his sudden and untimely death on the 13th of August 2018. His cremation and burial service was in the first week of September in UK. He is survived by his daughter and wife and a host of grieving classmates and friends.

M. Joseph John, MD, DM ‘91

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Vice President of India awards Dr Tejinder Singh Excel lence in Medical Educat ion

Dr. Tejinder Singh, Vice Principal, Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Education at CMC Ludhiana was conferred the Excellence in Medical Education Award (Eminent Alumnus) at the hands of Sh. M Venkaiah Naidu, Hon. Vice President of India at a ceremony held at Vigyan

Bhawan, New Delhi. The award had been instituted by the National Board of Examinations under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India, to recognize contribution of teachers to medical education. Earlier Dr. Tejinder Singh had received the Dr. B C Roy National Award from Medical Council of India for Eminent Medical Teacher.

"Comprehensive care for children with special needs.” Children with special needs, such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, hearing and visual

loss and children with severe behavioral problems like hyperactivity and autism, need special attention, in terms of diagnosis, intervention and family support. Keeping these needs in mind, the department of pediatrics initiated the comprehensive child development clinic on the 9th of October, 2007 with a pediatrician, a clinical psychologist and a physiotherapist in the team. It is the first and only clinic, in North India, where children with varying types of special needs are attended to and advised the right type of therapy requirements. With the support of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and PMR departments it has been able to serve more than 300 children every year for the last ten years.

Dr Monika Sharma who completed her MSc in Pediatric Neurodisability from Sheffield Hallam University, is the only trained developmental pediatrician in North India. Under her guidance, the clinic also liasons with special education centres and therapy centres in Punjab to support children visiting CMC from remote areas. Postgraduate students from the department have conducted research in the field of developmental pediatrics which has been presented in conferences in India and abroad.

The department of pediatrics also runs an Early Intervention Clinic for high risk newborn follow up. The department strives to strengthen the development clinic services to be able to expand to a one stop center for all needs of special children."

Dr Monika Sharma Professor, Department of Paediatrics

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Welcome to the CMC Family

Dr Ashwin Oommen Phi l ips DNB (Medicine), DM (Medical Onc ology)

and

Dr Maria Thomas MD (Microbiology) PG ’17

Dr Ashwin Philips has joined the CMC Ludhiana as Assistant Professor in the department of Medical Oncology. He did his MBBS from Salem (Tamil Nadu) and internship from CMC Vellore in 2007. Initially, he worked in Fatehpur for short period of time. Then he worked in CMC Ludhiana in 2008 for 6 months as non-PG resident. Thereafter, he went on to do his DNB (Medicine) at St. Stephens Hospital Delhi. He returned to CMC in 2013 and worked for 1 year as senior resident in department of Medical Oncology. After that he got selected for DM Medical Oncology training program at Cancer Institute Adyar, Chennai. He has completed his training in August’2018 and joined back CMC Ludhiana since September 2018. His wife Dr Maria Thomas has done her MD Microbiology from CMC Ludhiana in 2017 and has joined the Department of Microbiology since October 2018. They are blessed with 5 years old lovely daughter Grace Oommen Philips. She is studying in St. Thomas School, Ludhiana.

Dr Anirudh V Kulkarni MD (General Medicine), DM (Neurology)

and

Dr Megha Kulkarni

Dr Anirudh V Kulkarni has joined the CMC Ludhiana as Assistant Professor in the department of Neurology. Dr Anirudh V Kulkarni, is a native of Bijapur, Karnataka. He has done his MBBS from BLDEA’s Shri B M Patil Medical College, Bijapur, MD (General Medicine) from B J Medical College, Ahmedabad and DM (Neurology) from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. He has done Fellowship in Stroke and Intervention from Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kochi. His career interests include endovascular treatments for stroke, intracranial aneurysms and AV Malformations. His wife is Dr Megha Kulkarni, a gynecologist, who has also joined CMCL. They have a 3 yr old son, Vedant. His parents Dr V G Kulkarni and Dr J V Kulkarni, are both doctors, who run a private nursing home at Bijapur. He has an elder brother, Dr Abhijit who is a cardiologist at Bangalore.

The CMC Website Committee If you were wondering who is responsible for the swanky new website. Look no further. Presenting the team.

CMC Alumni Xpress Connect says thank you.

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From the Archives

Please help us fill in the names in this photograph and the year when this was taken. Email us with “archives photo” in the subject line Thanks a lot for the newsletter of September issue. The group photo is of annual convocation of 1963 (1957 batch). The chief guest was Union Health Minister Govt. of India, Dr Sushila Nayar. I can recognize many persons especially the faculty sitting along with the chief guest. L to R: Drs. Franken (Eye), Tucker (Radiology), Jain (Ped), Garst (ortho), Howie (Gynaecology), Eggleston (Surgery), Brash (Med), Ram Singh (M S), Constable (Principal), chief guest Dr Sushila Nayar, Rao (Dean), Dixon (Anatomy), Bannerji (Physio), Laity (Pharm), Brennan (Path), Civil Surgeon, Jairath (SPM), Chaplain, Martin (Pead) and two others.

Dr S K Chopra (Batch of 1958)

Stay Connected CMC Alumni Xpress Connect is very proud of each alumni, many of whom continue to excel in various academic, leadership and service roles in India and across the world. We have many who keep a low-profile and work behind the scenes but have been instrumental in impacting the health and healing to thousands. CMC Alumni Xpress Connect encourages all its alumni to stay in touch with each other and with the College. We would love to hear from you. We want to share in the joy of your academic awards and professional successes. We would like to be of assistance whenever and where ever we can. Please drop a line at cmcldhalumni@gmail.com

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The Editoria l Board

Editor in Chief : Dr Clarence J. Samuel ‘93

Members: Dr Nitin Batra ‘PG 98, Dr Kailash Chander ‘99, Dr Madhulika Peter Samuel ‘98, Dr Kavita Mandrelle ‘85, Dr Neelu Luther ‘94, Dr Paul Sudhakar John ’98.

Correspondent : Dr Harish Iswariah ‘86

ANNOUNCEMENT

Reunion of the Batches of 1969 and 1988 MARCH 22, 2019 The Reunion of the batches of 1969 and 1988 will be held on Friday, 22th March, 2019 at CMC Ludhiana. The batches will celebrate their 50 & 25 years reunions respectively. We invite the alumni of both these batches to confirm their participation and to share contact information with us regarding their batch mates. We would like you to make the most of this opportunity to visit your Alma Mater and meet up with old friends. Please send us an email if you have not received our official reunion invitation via email. Contact us at: cmcl_alumni@yahoo.com; cmcldhalumni@gmail.com

Disclaimer : The views expressed by contributing authors are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board of The Association of Medical Alumni CMCL and it shall not liable for any misrepresentation of information.

Contact us : Association of Medical Alumni Christian Medical College, Ludhiana - 141008, Punjab, India Phone: +91-161-2115379, +91-161-2115000 (8:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs), E-mail: cmcl_alumni@yahoo.com and cmcldhalumni@gmail.com