AIIMS Delhi has launched its inaugural literary festival, Oracle, turning the campus into a vibrant hub of poetry, debate, and creative expression from 16 to 18 January. The three‑day event, organized by eight leading medical colleges, showcases the human side of medicine and invites students, faculty, and literary enthusiasts to explore empathy, creativity, and reflection through the written and spoken word.
Background/Context
In a field that often prioritizes clinical skills and research metrics, the AIIMS Delhi literary festival represents a bold shift toward holistic medical education. By bringing together institutions such as AIIMS, PGI, JIPMER, and others, the festival underscores a growing trend in Indian medical schools to integrate humanities into curricula. The initiative follows global movements that recognize the role of narrative medicine in improving patient care, reducing burnout, and fostering compassionate practice.
Key Developments
Oracle opened with a keynote by Padma Shri poet Dr Ashok Chakradhar, who served as judge for the Open Mic event, Awaaz. Participants delivered self‑written poems that ranged from clinical reflections to personal anecdotes, earning Chakradhar’s praise for “the raw honesty that breathes life into the verses.”
The festival featured a series of panels and workshops, including:
- Panel 1: “Narrative Medicine in Practice” – moderated by Dr R.L Bijlani, former Head of Physiology at AIIMS, with contributions from Dr Debraj Shome, plastic surgeon and author, and Dr Tanaya Narendra, sex educator and content creator.
- Panel 2: “The Ethics of Storytelling” – chaired by Dr Tripti Sharan, author and physician, discussing patient confidentiality and narrative integrity.
- Panel 3: “Future of Medical Humanities” – featuring Dr Megha Tandon, Professor of Surgery at VMMC & Safdarjung, and Dr Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In addition to the panels, Oracle hosted a creative writing contest, a medical quiz, and an extempore speaking session. The event attracted over 500 participants, including students from all eight colleges, faculty members, and local writers.
Bharat Goel, a third‑year MBBS student and the festival’s literary secretary, said, “Bringing together eight medical colleges to collaborate for something bigger than themselves, unified only by the sheer love of language, felt like a dream I wish never ended. Having sowed the seed, I cannot wait to see how Oracle blooms through the years, leaving a legacy of literature across generations.”
Impact Analysis
Oracle’s impact extends beyond the campus. For students, the festival offers a rare platform to break free from the rigid academic environment that often stifles creativity. By engaging in poetry and debate, participants report increased self‑confidence, improved communication skills, and a deeper understanding of patient narratives.
Faculty members noted a shift in classroom dynamics. Dr R.L Bijlani observed, “Students who attended Oracle now ask more reflective questions during rounds, demonstrating a heightened awareness of the psychosocial aspects of care.”
From an institutional perspective, the festival positions AIIMS Delhi as a pioneer in integrating humanities into medical training, potentially influencing policy at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The presence of Dr Atul Goel suggests that the festival’s outcomes may inform national strategies on medical education reform.
Expert Insights/Tips
For students looking to participate in similar events, experts recommend the following:
- Start Early: Begin drafting poems or essays at least a month before the event to refine your voice.
- Seek Feedback: Share drafts with peers or mentors to gain diverse perspectives.
- Engage with Panels: Prepare thoughtful questions for panelists to maximize learning.
- Network: Use the festival as a networking platform to connect with faculty and industry professionals.
- Reflect: Keep a journal of insights gained during the festival to incorporate into future clinical practice.
Dr Tanaya Narendra advises, “The key is to view storytelling as a tool for empathy, not just an artistic exercise. When you can articulate a patient’s experience, you become a better clinician.”
Looking Ahead
Oracle’s success has set a benchmark for medical literary initiatives across India. AIIMS Delhi plans to institutionalize the festival as an annual event, expanding participation to include international medical schools and interdisciplinary artists. The organizers aim to publish a compendium of the best works each year, providing a resource for medical humanities scholars.
Moreover, the festival’s alignment with the Ministry’s “Humanities in Medicine” initiative could lead to formal recognition of literary achievements in medical curricula, potentially influencing accreditation standards.
As the medical community continues to grapple with the challenges of patient care, events like Oracle remind practitioners that the art of medicine lies as much in narrative as in science.
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