Author: PIMC Admin

– written by: Dr. A. C. Kataki Director, Medical Administration PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital University Of Science & Technology Meghalaya “Aging is not about how many years have passed, but how much life you’ve embraced” – Sophia Loren As we grow older, we come to understand that life is not about what we look like or what we own. It is about the person we become. Actress Marie Dressler once said, “It’s not how old you are that matters; it’s how you are old.” The older we get, the more we realize that life is all about quality over quantity and the simple things in life is what means the most. There are older people who sparkle with vitality and joy of living. They admit cheerfully that they are no longer young, but that doesn’t bother them. They think of themselves as wise, experienced, emotionally mature, creative and intellectually alert. On the other hand there are people who seem to pull down the shades and retire from life. They think of themselves as worn out, unproductive, unattractive, and burdened with health problems. They feel sorry for themselves and expect others to feel sorry for them. In real life, older people are likely to be less self-centered than younger people. They have had time to learn more about loving and living. They are more philosophical about disappointment or setbacks. They are less impatient and know the value of waiting. They are more serene and reasonable. People live longer who have freed themselves from deadly negative influences like anger, hatred, suspicion, jealousy, guilt and anxiety that upset body rhythms and actually cause organic illness. Such people have more vitality, more resistance to disease, more curiosity, more eagerness and more energy.   The following are a few principles for healthy aging and living. These are in addition to a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, a healthy lifestyle and regular health check-ups.   Some older people seem always to be reaching back into the past. It’s good to revisit pleasant memories occasionally, but it is advisable not to dwell on them. It’s much better to look forward, to focus on the future and all the exciting opportunities that it holds.   The world changes with time. Customs change. Ideas change. We need to retain enough flexibility to change with them. It does not necessarily mean that we have to abandon our basic principles. It just means that we need to let fresh ideas into our mind. We should listen to different points of view and expose ourselves to opinions with which we don’t necessarily agree. Reading books expands the boundaries of the mind.   Expect health, not helplessness. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old.” It Is always better to refrain from saying and believing that I can’t try that because I am too old “It is too late to start now.” If we expect poor health, if we think of poor health, that is what we are going to get. On the contrary, if we see ourselves as vigorous and energetic regardless of our age, that is the way we are likely to be.   A lot of people think they are lonely as they grow older. Their friends die off or drift away and they make no attempt to replace them with new friends. They never volunteer for activities that would bring them into contact with people. They seem to grow more isolated and solitary as the years pass by. And more become unhappy as they do. Loneliness is primarily a state of mind, and the curious, eager, interested mind seldom has time for boredom or room for self- pity. One of the surest antidotes for loneliness is to look around for someone who has troubles and try to help them whatever way possible.   Let us not take leave of our senses. We are all aware of the five basic senses. It may be true that some senses like eyesight or hearing may diminish with the passing years but can be rectified. Let us not take leave of our senses just because we are older. Otherwise our senses may take leave of us at some point of time. Most of the time we don’t  remember how long it is since  we  brought a fresh- cut rose close to our nostrils and smelled that incredible fragrance ? Do we sometimes look at the stars in the sky at night?  Have we walked in the rain for a while without an umbrella? How long since we listened to the music and the sound of the winds on a beach or beside a river? How long since we walked through autumn leaves? Or smelled the scent of wood smoke during Bhogali Bihu ?  How long has it been since we played with colours during the Holi ? The list is endless. Let us enjoy the beauty of nature and it’s unique senses.   Living life without being defined by age is about focusing on energy, passion and purpose rather than a number. It means shedding societal timelines, pursuing new dreams and embracing an open, curious mind instead of letting age dictate what we can or cannot achieve. As we grow older and wiser, we begin to realize what we need to leave behind. Sometimes there are things in our lives that are not meant to stay. Sometimes the changes we don’t want are the changes we need to grow. And sometimes walking away is a step forward. Age is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and growth.   Older people should not retire from living. They should keep in touch with the amazing and astounding world. Keep trying new things. No one is too old to be creative. Goethe and Tolstoy did some of their best work in their later years. If we don’t give up on life, life won’t give… Continue reading Tiny Joys, Thoughts Unfiltered

Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya | 15th May, 2026: Pa Sangma International Medical College & Hospital (PIMC), constituent medical college of the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM), had the privilege of hosting renowned nephrologist Dr Tonmoy Das, Chief Consultant Nephrologist of Apollo International Hospital, Guwahati, during the celebration of Celesta-26: 2nd College Week held at USTM. A distinguished physician and one of the pioneering first-generation doctors of Northeast India, Dr Tonmoy Das, belongs to a highly progressive and respected family of Assam. His father served as the former Chief Secretary of Assam, and Dr Das himself has made immense contributions to the field of nephrology and healthcare in the region over the decades. Addressing the MBBS students at PIMC, Dr Das shared valuable insights from his long and inspiring journey in medicine, emphasising dedication, discipline, ethics, and compassion in the medical profession. He encouraged students to pursue excellence while remaining deeply connected to the humanitarian responsibilities of a doctor. “A doctor must earn the confidence of patients through knowledge, compassion, communication, and commitment. If we can build trust and provide quality healthcare within the Northeast, we can significantly stop the migration of patients outside the region for treatment.” — Dr Tonmoy Das. During the interactive session, Dr Das engaged warmly with the students of the first and second batches of PIMC, answering their questions and motivating them to embrace challenges with confidence and commitment. His interaction created an atmosphere of inspiration and aspiration among the young medical students. The programme was attended by eminent dignitaries, including Prof. G.D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, USTM; Padma Shri Dr S. Sahariah, Pro Vice Chancellor, USTM; Prof. Hem Kanta Sarma, Principal, PIMC; Prof. (Dr.) Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of Medical Administration, PIMC, etc. During his visit to USTM, Dr Tonmoy Das also toured various state-of-the-art facilities, including the advanced research centre and academic facilities of the university, where he interacted with faculty members, researchers, and students. He appreciated the institution’s growing emphasis on innovation, scientific research, and interdisciplinary learning. Dr Das particularly lauded the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of USTM and its Founder Chancellor, stating that the university has emerged as a pioneering educational hub of the Northeast through visionary leadership, dedication, and a strong commitment to quality education and healthcare. He expressed admiration for the rapid expansion of academic and medical infrastructure at USTM and termed it a model of educational transformation for the region. The event marked another significant milestone in the academic and cultural journey of PIMC under the banner of the second college week of PIMC, Celesta-26, reflecting USTM’s commitment towards nurturing excellence in medical education and professional values.

9th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi Monday, 2025: Dr. Pratim Talukdar, a leading prosthodontist and implantologist at PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital (PIMC), becomes the first dental surgeon from Northeast India to achieve the prestigious Certificate of Mastership in Implant Dentistry by the Global College of Oral Implantologists (GCOI). (Membership ID: 25-MIC-A-0309), on October 4, 2025. PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital (PIMC), the constituent college of the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM), proudly congratulated Dr. Talukdar on this historic achievement. His success is a significant milestone, the first of its kind in the entire Northeast region, elevating its presence in the field of advanced dental care. This distinguished recognition is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated outstanding expertise, academic excellence, and clinical proficiency in implant dentistry. Dr. Talukdar fulfilled all the rigorous criteria established by the GCOI Board of Directors, including completion of advanced continuing education and verified clinical case presentations. Through this Mastership, the dental surgeon has proven his commitment to delivering the highest quality of care in implant dentistry and joins an elite group of dental professionals worldwide. Dr. Pratim Talukdar is a well-respected name in prosthodontics and implantology, known for providing advanced dental care with a personal and patient-centered approach. He holds degrees in BDS and MDS, and has earned international fellowships, including FICOI (USA) and FADI (USA). His expertise lies in restorative dental surgery, dental implants, and full-mouth rehabilitation. PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital (PIMC), located at 9th Mile, Baridua, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya, is a premier medical institution established under the aegis of the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM). Approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC), New Delhi, PIMC has a 150 MBBS seat intake.