On August 30th 2019 IPH celebrated its annual day marking the completion of 14 years in the field of public health. The day began with presentations from the four research clusters sharing of learning and reflections by teams. It was an opportunity for new staff, interns and Fulbright fellows to be acquainted with the range of research, education and public and policy engagement activities at IPH, and an opportunity for all present to take stock of the progress made by IPH this year. The education team took IPH down memory lane with lively anecdotes and stories from how the eLearning team started with 1 – 2 people and has now grown to cater to national and international audiences. Dr. Sarin and Dr. Prashanth NS designed and facilitated a public health quiz, encouraging participants to rack their brain cells and use their crystallised and fluid intelligence to answer riddles and questions about pioneers in the field of public health and key events and decisions that have shaped the field of public health.

Public health enthusiasts, former colleagues and well-wishers joined us for the public
event – “IPH Annual Day oration series” organized in the evening. The event started
off with a short message from Dr. Devadasan,
Founder of IPH, to welcome everyone and reflect on the growth and progress of
IPH. His address was followed by a testimonial video of partners, collaborators
and well-wishers of IPH instilling inspiration in the staff and appreciating the
partnership with IPH.

The speaker for the IPH Annual Day oration series was Dr.
Ravi Narayan, with a lecture titled “Can floor moppers become tap turners off? – reflections
on a new Public Health Paradigm!’ Dr. Ravi Narayan has been a
long-term mentor for individuals at IPH and an inspiration for all those in the
field of public health. Over a one-hour lecture, Dr. Narayan elegantly took the
audience through his personal journey into the field of health and described
how the field has changed over the years. He brought attention to a few grassroots
public health movements and initiatives in India that were radical and path
breaking. Dr. Narayan encouraged the audience to move beyond thinking solely
about primary health care and think carefully about resource limitations, work
with local knowledge and think creatively at problem solving. He reminded the
audience that the determinants of health are vast: physical, social, mental,
economic, political; and thus it is important for doctors and public health
professionals to change their focus and consider ways to turn the tap off.

The day ended with a music performance by an extremely talented young artist, Samarth
R. Samarth is a young Carnatic singer and his strong voice echoed through the
auditorium, briefly making the audience forget the time. The director of IPH, Dr. Upendra Bhojani
closed the annual day with a vote of thanks, thanking everyone for their
enthusiastic participation and making the time to be part of our celebration. The
day ended with refreshments, chatter and renewed energy to carry forward until
the next annual day.