Turning of The Sod:Paediatrics Speciality Centre, Fairfax-Quess Block CMC Vellore Ranipet Campus

Termed a ‘life-affirming’ project by Rt. Rev. H. Sharma Nityananda, Bishop of Vellore Diocese, the Turning of the Sod event for the Paediatrics Speciality Centre which took place on August 12th, 2024 marked a new venture for CMC, the first step towards a Phase-2 expansion of CMC’s Ranipet Campus. The new block is founded on partnership and innovation, quoting Associate Director of CMC Ranipet Campus, Dr. Deepak Selvaraj, who expressed his hopes that this project would enable CMC to expand its outreach potential and minister to a greater number of people.

Dr. Tarun John Jacob, Associate professor of the Paediatric Surgery Unit II, discussed the inspiration behind ‘the unboxing of the boards of wood that make Noah’s Ark’ as the symbolic theme of the new block. Quoting 1 Corinthians 13:13, Dr. Jacob emphasised the values of faith, hope and love as being at the heart of the new development, with unconditional love as ‘the greatest of these empowerments.

Just as the animals were taken on board with kindness and compassion, trusting the capacity of the ark in the hope of a brighter future, Dr. Jacob emphasised that children and families at the new speciality centre should be made to feel the same way, trusting CMC to care for them.

Dr. Vikram Mathews, Director of CMC, expressed his appreciation for the large number of people present, which attested to the care and dedication of the CMC community. The Director also thanked the Office of the General Superintendent for their significant contributions. The Director’s predecessors Dr. Sunil Chandy and Dr. J.V. Peter were acknowledged for their leadership in initiating and paving the way for the project.

Mr. Ajit Isaac from Quess Corp, Bangalore, and partner in funding for the paediatric block, spoke in hindsight about the evolution of the project from earlier discussions over the years, and why Fairfax, one of Quess’s major shareholders, can be trusted as a long-term partner.

Ms. Priya Ramesh Mehta, director of Charitable Giving, Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd, who had flown in from Toronto to attend the event, spoke promisingly about CMC’s partnership with Fairfax, affirming a valued motto, that ‘when we do well, we must do good’.

The Head of the Department of Paediatrics, Dr. Kalaranjini Ebenezer commended the commitment of CMC administration towards the health and wellbeing of children, despite limited resources and finance. The department prides itself in the consistent efforts of staff and alumni toward clinical excellence, research and education, having had a wide impact on disease incidence. However, a dire need for space due to growing medical complexities has necessitated this project dedicated towards paediatrics. The Head of the Department emphasised that the new centre will not just boast advanced technology, but is a promise to every child and family.

Five plaques of teak wood were unveiled by senior faculty, resembling the wood boards of Noah’s ark. The plaques will be displayed through the corridors of the new block, with engravings of the animals and birds of the ark. In the spirit of environmentalism upheld by CMC’s founder Ida Scudder, senior faculty took part in planting trees of the medicinal Neem, the Spanish Cherry/Magizham Maram, and Magnolia Champaca.

Group songs of worship were performed by students from the College of Nursing, as well as Ida Scudder School, and children from St. Jude’s India Child Care Centre, a centre providing cost-free holistic care for children from underprivileged families during cancer treatment.

Dignitaries present were Dr. Vikram Mathews – Director of the Christian Medical College Vellore, Dr. Deepak Selvaraj – Associate Director of CMC Vellore Ranipet Campus, Rt. Rev. H. Sharma Nityananda – Bishop of Vellore Diocese, Mr. Ajit Isaac – Chairman of Bangalore-based Westcorp Limited, Ms. Priya Ramesh Mehta – Director of Canada-based Charitable Giving, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, Canada, Dr. John Oomen – Vice Chairman of CMC Vellore Association, and Rev. Finney Alexander – CMC Chaplain. A recorded video message from Mr. Prem Watsa, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings, was played to the audience. Mr. Watsa applauded CMC Vellore for ‘showing what God can do’ in their mission to serve the poorest of the poor in India.