In 1969, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited MGIMS. She spoke to a small group of medical students in the Adhyayan Mandir near the old Kasturba hospital.
I’m unsure about the occasion of Indira Gandhi’s visit, as I was only a ninth-grade student at Swavalambi Vidyalaya in Wardha at that time. This morning, I stumbled upon a historical photograph on the MGIMS website, and found myself captivated by its simplicity.
Hereโs a picture that has captured that moment. Let me describe it:
In front of the old hospital, which housed OPDs, wards, and offices, stood the Adhyayan Mandir, a humble “temple of knowledge.” Teachers taught here, events were held, and Friday prayers took place.
The hall could hold just under a hundred people. The floorโs rough stone contrasted with the soft Khadi mats. The roofโs ๐พ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ข tiles cast gentle shadows, creating a play of light that added to the roomโs charm. Thick whitewashed walls lent a sense of purity.
The setting was sparse.
The walls were bare except for the blackboard. On the blackboard, a simple chalk-written message greeted visitors: “MG Institute of Medical Sciences welcomes the Prime Minister.” Nearby, black switches were mounted on a wooden board with a wire dangling downโa humble reminder of the basic amenities of the time.
During the 1969 Congress Split, Dr Sushila Nayar opposed Indira Gandhi. However, when the Prime Minister visited Sevagram, Dr Sushila Nayar hosted her graciously. Mrs Gandhi, in turn, reciprocated with warmth. Setting politics aside, they focused on medical education and public health.
Sixty students of the 1969 batchโ46 boys and 14 girlsโsat cross-legged on a sturdy Khadi mat on the unpolished stone floor. They had their eyes fixed on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and they listened intently to her. It was their first time seeing her in person, and they were visibly excited and in awe.
Mrs. Gandhi looked a bit tired, perhaps from traveling extensively before coming straight to the Adhyayan Mandir to fulfill a promise to Dr. Sushila Nayar.
She stood at the front, her presence commanding yet calm. To her side was Dr. Sushila Nayar, her face showing quiet pride. Vasantrao Naik, the chief minister of Maharashtra and Nawab Ali Yawar Jang, the governor of Maharashtra, sat nearby, engaged and attentive.
Dr Sushila Nayar and the guests sank comfortably into the plush cotton mattress, covered by the cool white Khadi sheets. Against the wall, large bolsters stood tall.
She stood at the front, her presence commanding yet calm. To her side was Dr. Sushila Nayar, her face showing quiet pride. Vasantrao Naik, the chief minister of Maharashtra and Nawab Ali Yawar Jang, the governor of Maharashtra, sat nearby, engaged and attentive.
Dr Sushila Nayar and the guests sank comfortably into the plush cotton mattress, covered by the cool white Khadi sheets. Against the wall, large bolsters stood tall.
No grand podium, no fancy decorations. No exotic flowers. No visible guards, cameras, or media. No excess, no distraction. Just people, a shared space, and a moment in time.
The simple ethos of the seventies ruled, just like all of Sevagram.
Simplicity and authenticity guided every event in Sevagram. Even with VIP visits, grandeur was absent. The air held a quiet grace.
That was Sevagram in the 1970s: simple yet endlessly profound, sparse yet rich in values, bare yet remarkably beautiful. It’s no wonder that former students remember it so vividly, even to this day.
We used to have morning classes here. Thank you for writing and bringing back fond memories of those days.
I did not know how hallowed place Adhyanan Mandir was till I saw this. We had so many lectures there, I vividly remember Sir Karunakar Trivedi writing on that board, his role is to make sure we get the BS part of MBBS. We had our 25th reunion in that place in 1999 with Behenjiโs final Aashirwad. Is it still there? So much has changed in Sewagram, itโs not that sleepy village anymore, itโs buzzing with progress and chaos. Only the Ashram remains frozen in time and I love that.
Thanks for sharing this Sir SP Kalantri. Keep penning these and retrieving these pearls from MGIMSโ past. We all admire your diligence and indebted to you. More power to you!๐
Beautiful rendition of past events
Adhyan Mandir was a part of our culture too..
Very nice Dr Kalantri. Keep writing.
Sir, the simplicity of Sevagram has left indelible marks on our memories and keeps our souls anchored there. Beautiful write-up. Please keep writing, sir.
She addressed our ’69 batch and the small faculty, all sitting on the floor. Thank you for refreshing my memories.
Very well described Thanks for sharing
As always, in true Kalantri style, you capture events as if we are witnessing them live. Your vivid descriptions paint such a clear picture. Though you weren’t at MGIMS, your mastery in collecting every detail shines through in your writing. We joined in ’71 and spent a month in the Ashram, visiting the Adhyayan Mandir daily. Thank you so much, Sirji, for sharing the links. God bless you.
I remember attending lectures in Adhyayan Mandir, though I think we had wooden chairs and desks. I think lectures were mostly PSM or Medicine ( the department was situated there only). The gracious attitude of rival politicians of those days was wonderful. Nobody will believe it nowadays. You indeed was lucky to have witnessed it. I remember Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan visited Sevagram during our student days and probably addressed us at the same venue. His words reverberate in my memory, he was sad to see the plight of poor in India and considerd all the sacrifices of freedom fighters gone waste. Tab bhi khane ko roti aur pehanane ko kapda nahi tha abhi bhi wahi hai ๐ค
All of Kalantri sir’s posts should be preserved in the form of books in the MGIMS library, both digitally and in hard copy, for future generations of students to appreciate the greatness of our history. MGIMS was not just another medical college but a mini world in itself, where characters who were employees in various roles played their parts like in a blockbuster movie. Once again, kudos to Kalantri sir
Wonderful sir!
One photo, And you describe everything things in details.
Itโs your god gift art !
Dr. Kalantri’s writing standards and the quality of comments from old students of MGIMS are exceptionally high. To me, MGIMS – Sevagram represents the pinnacle of my career.
Wonderful description !
Wow! Unbelievable in todayโs flashy era.
So very well described. As a student of the 1974 batch, I remember attending classes and then taking classes as well in the eighties. Indeed, the values imbibed during the foundation days still make Sewagram students stand apart.
Down the memory lane ๐
Wow, former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar was the chief guest at the 1985 student cultural programme. Could you help find some photos of the dignitaries sitting on the dais?
This looks like Adhyayan Mandir and reminds me of Indira Ji’s visit in early 1972, perhaps. A funny incident occurred during this meeting. Parwin Ansari, from the 1971 batch, was tasked with performing the arti for Indira Ji. In her nervousness, she poured copious amounts of water on Indira Ji, who merely smiled in response. Later, as Indira Ji was leaving and sitting in the back seat of an Ambassador, many people crowded around to shake hands with her. I dared to request a small handkerchief as a souvenir, and she kindly obliged. I kept it with me until her assassination in 1984, after which I offered it to the Ganga.