Renewing the pride of JJ

Concerned at the poor state of J. J. Hospital and Grant Medical College (GMC), a group of doctors and former teachers who call themselves Friends of GMC and J. J. Hospital approached the dean, Dr Pravin Shingare with an offer to help, reported the Times of India (TOI) dated August 16, 2007. "I told them we didn’t need a single paisa for patients, but they could give back for the benefit of students,” Shingare said. The authorities are willing to cooperate, and "there are several projects they can help with such as the restoration of the heritage buildings on campus, setting up a museum of medical relics or even constructing benches for patients’ relatives,” Shingare added.

J. J. Hospital: plans for restoration

Physician and alumnus Jehangir Sorabjee says, "Conservation of the building is a good starting point to show that the alumni can make a significant difference to the institution. Besides, that part of town has no heritage structure and it could be the jewel of the area and renew the pride of J. J.” The ‘friends’ have now started drawing up plans for the restoration of the 150-year-old administration building, a deemed Grade II heritage structure. Seeking professional guidance from architect Abha Narain Lambah and historian Sharada Dwivedi, they will be meeting government authorities for necessary permissions, reports TOI.

Old-timers fondly recall how the building, characterized by a winding staircase and teak flooring, was known for the foundation stone housed on its first floor. It was constructed in 1845 and houses many relics of an earlier era.

Within the first month of its formation, the ‘friends’ group has stocked the GMC library with medical journals worth Rs 4.5 lakh, the TOI report revealed. The ‘friends’ are hoping to find more like-minded supporters. "Anyone who feels strongly about medical education is free to join us,” said senior neurologist Dr Noshir Wadia.