DMC&H’s “Diwali without Scars” Initiative Educates Thousands of Students on Fire Safety and First Aid

Ludhiana, October 18, 2025: DMC&H has successfully concluded its widespread community health initiative, “Diwali without Scars,” following weeks of intensive outreach aimed at promoting fire safety and burn prevention ahead of the festive season. The campaign successfully mobilized students and faculty across several prominent local educational institutions, marking a significant step towards a safer celebration.
The program's primary objective was to educate young people on the dangers associated with firecrackers and to impart crucial knowledge on immediate first-aid measures for minor burns, thereby reducing the number of casualty admissions during the peak Diwali period.
Dr. Sheerin Shah, Professor of Plastic Surgery at DMC&H, along with Mr. Harinder, Fire Officer In-Charge at DMC&H, conducted interactive sessions and workshops that reached approximately 3,000 young students, using engaging presentations to communicate the gravity of burn injuries and the simplicity of prevention.
Crucially, the campaign went beyond theory, incorporating hands-on training in the proper use of fire extinguishers directly within school premises. Exemplary first aid kits were also distributed among various students, ensuring they left the session equipped to handle minor emergencies.
Participation was enthusiastic, with several key schools hosting these educational workshops. Institutions including Delhi Public School, BVM School Udham Singh Nagar, BVM School Kitchlu Nagar, GNPS School Sarabha Nagar, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School BRS Nagar, BCM School Shastri Nagar, and BCM School Jamalpur were among the many that actively integrated the safety lessons into their curriculum, ensuring hundreds of students received critical safety information. The sessions covered practical topics such as maintaining a safe distance from lit crackers, handling sparklers correctly, and the immediate necessity of cooling a burn with running water.
Bipin Gupta, Secretary, DMC&H Managing Society, also lauded the efforts of the faculty and students involved in the campaign. He emphasized that DMC&H has always prioritized preventive healthcare and social awareness initiatives, and programs like “Diwali without Scars” reinforce the hospital’s vision of responsible community engagement and public welfare.
Dr. G. S. Wander, Principal, DMC&H, appreciated the initiative and praised the Department of Plastic Surgery for leading a meaningful campaign that combines education, prevention, and community outreach. He highlighted that such initiatives reflect the institution’s commitment to serving society beyond hospital walls and fostering a culture of health and safety among the younger generation.
Dr. Sheerin Shah, Professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery at DMC&H, strongly emphasized the broad scope of the educational campaign. “We see the immediate need to educate these young students on multiple fronts,” Dr. Shah stated. “Our aim is to empower them so that burn injuries can be prevented entirely, air pollution can be lessened, and the crucial shift toward using green crackers can be promoted. This initiative is about holistic community well-being, moving beyond just first aid to fundamental prevention and environmental responsibility.”