SAS Nagar, October 24, 2024: Dr. BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, marked the occasion of Anatomy Day with a series of engaging lectures, hands-on workshops, and creative competitions, emphasizing the vital role of anatomy in medical education and highlighting its deep connection to both art and science.
Dr. Maneesha, Professor and Head of the Department of Anatomy, emphasized that Anatomy Day is a significant event for medical institutions, celebrating anatomy as a cornerstone of medical education. She explained that the day serves as a tribute to pioneers like Andreas Vesalius and Santiago Ramón y Cajal, whose groundbreaking work transformed our understanding of human biology and laid the foundation for modern medical practice.
The event featured a distinguished guest lecture by Dr. Ravneet Kaur, Assistant Professor from the Department of Zoology at Punjab University. Her talk, titled “Cajal: Culture, Heritage in Neurosciences, and Impact on Interdisciplinary Approaches,” explored the historical and scientific contributions of Cajal and the lasting influence of his work on interdisciplinary studies in neuroscience.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Bhavneet Bharti, Director Principal of the institute, remarked, "Anatomy Day is not just a celebration of the past, but also a beacon for the future of medical science. By honoring figures like Santiago Ramón y Cajal, we motivate our students to embrace both the history and future of anatomical research and innovation." She also highlighted one of the key moments of the event—the recreation of Cajal’s original histological diagrams. This unique activity provided participants with an immersive experience, allowing them to connect deeply with Cajal's pioneering work in neuroanatomy.
Earlier the first-year MBBS students were introduced to the History of Medicine through a special session on Medical Philately, led by Dr. Rajnish, Dean of AIIMS Bhopal. The Postal Department organized a stamp exhibition, adding an intriguing educational element that underscored the evolution of medical science through the lens of postal history.
Participants had the opportunity to engage in hands-on workshops, including sessions on Cajal’s Histological Methods and the Histology of Neural Tissues. One of the highlights of the day was the Art and Scientific Illustration Competitions, where students showcased their talent in both artistic and scientific representations of anatomical structures. Judging these competitions was a panel of experts that included Ms. Gayatri from the Department of Fine Arts, Dr. Suchet (Head of the Department of Physiology), Dr. Priya from the Department of Pathology, Dr. Vaibhao Athaley from the Bachelor of Design program at Punjab Engineering College, and Dr. Harender Kumar.

Winners of the Portrait Drawing (Art Students) competition:
1st Prize: Harshpreet Singh
2nd Prize: Vishal Singh
3rd Prize: Jaiba Naaz

Winners in the Scientific Illustration (Zoology Students) category:
1st Prize: Chehak Goyal
2nd Prize: Gurleen Kaur
3rd Prize: Shailbi

Winners in the Scientific Illustrations (MBBS 1) category:
1st Prize: Sulakshna Deb
2nd Prize: Yashika
3rd Prize: Jayal Mandal

Winners in the Anatomical Drawings (MBBS 1) category:
1st Prize: Jasleen Kaur
2nd Prize: Bhupesh Sarmal
3rd Prize: Arshnoor Singh and Khushi Dhiman