Bengaluru: Victoria Hospital, one of the city’s oldest medical institutions, has begun its quasquicentennial (125 years) celebrations with the installation of a 108-foot national flagpost on its campus. The initiative, led by the 1986 MBBS batch of the college, makes it the third medical education institute in the country to have such a tall flagpole.
Symbolic start to celebrations
Hospital medical superintendent, Dr Deepak S, who proposed the idea, said the effort was both symbolic and practical. “This is one of the first initiatives to mark the 125 years of Victoria Hospital. We wanted each batch to plan and contribute something towards refurbishing the heritage structure, so that the building will remain strong for the next 100 years,” he said.
Explaining the significance of the 108-foot flagpost, Dr Deepak noted that only two other medical colleges — Armed Forces Medical College in Pune and All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi — currently have flagpoles of the same height. “We wanted Victoria Hospital to stand alongside them. Taller structures would have interfered with the helipad nearby, so 108ft was the ideal height,” he added.
Alumni-driven initiatives
The flagpost installation is the first in a series of projects planned by the alumni over the next two years. According to Dr Deepak, another batch has already committed to renovating the rose garden in front of the administrative block, while discussions are underway on installing a statue of Kempananjammanni Devi, the Mysore regent who laid the hospital’s foundation stone.
Carrying forward a rich legacy
Victoria Hospital was founded in 1897 by Kempananjammanni Devi, the regent of Mysore and mother of Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV. It was formally inaugurated in December 1900 by British Viceroy Lord Curzon. The teaching hospital began with just 140 beds and has since expanded to accommodate more than 1,000 patients at a time.
The hospital is attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) and is among the largest teaching hospitals in the country. Over its 125-year journey, it has trained more than 35,000 doctors, along with thousands of nurses and paramedical staff, while providing care to millions of patients.
Looking ahead
Hospital authorities believe the upcoming alumni-supported projects will not only preserve the institution’s historic character but also strengthen its infrastructure for the future. “Each initiative is aimed at ensuring Victoria Hospital continues to serve generations of patients while maintaining its heritage identity,” Dr Deepak said.
Conclusion
The installation of the 108-foot flagpost marks a proud beginning to Victoria Hospital’s 125-year celebrations. With alumni contributions driving heritage preservation and infrastructure upgrades, the institution is set to honour its past while preparing to meet the needs of the future.