Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 25 Sep: Sardar Bhagwan Singh (SBS) University celebrated World Pharmacist Day with a lively programme, themed “Think Health, Think Pharmacist”, emphasising the essential role of pharmacists in promoting public health. The event combined community outreach with academic activities, attracting active participation from students, faculty, and the public.
The day started with an energetic procession led by Dr AK Sharma, former Vice-Chancellor and Director of SBSU. Hundreds of pharmacy students and faculty marched from the campus, holding banners that showcased the profession’s contributions to healthcare. This was followed by a street play performed by students, which conveyed impactful messages on medication adherence and the pharmacist’s role in community health, receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience.
The official programme began with a lamp-lighting ceremony and a welcome speech by Prof Veerma Ram, Director, School of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, who highlighted pharmacists’ accessibility and dedication as frontline healthcare providers.
To mark the occasion, SP Singh, Chairman of Gaurav Bharati Shiksha Sansthan, described pharmacy as a noble profession vital to society, while Dr Gaurav Deep Singh, President, SBSU, emphasised the pharmacist’s role in connecting science with care, praising students for their dedication and potential.
Vice-Chancellor Dr J Kumar referred to pharmacists as the “backbone of healthcare” and urged students to carry out their responsibilities with compassion and integrity.
A major highlight was the poster and oral presentation competitions, in which undergraduate and postgraduate students showcased innovative ideas on drug discovery, pharmacovigilance, and new drug delivery systems. These contests encouraged critical thinking and academic excellence, with Neha winning First Prize, Kishna and Megha sharing Second Prize, and Vandana and Aarav earning Third Prize in UG category. The First Prize went Divya Pandey and Megha Giri and Second Prize to Saurav Nautiyal and Yash Bhatt in PG Category.
Chief Guest Dr AK Sharma motivated students to uphold high ethical standards, noting the vital role of pharmacists in combating antimicrobial resistance and supporting long-term patient care.
The celebration ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Prof (Dr) Arun Kumar Mahato, who acknowledged the contributions of distinguished guests and dignitaries, including SP Singh, Dr Deepak Sahni (Registrar), Prof Maneesh Arora (Dean of Student Welfare), Urmi Chaurasia (Controller of Examinations), and senior faculty members.
The day’s events reaffirmed SBS University’s commitment to cultivating skilled, ethical, and socially responsible pharmacists, blending academic rigour with community engagement to address urgent healthcare challenges.
