Manipal Hospitals Keep the Rhythm of Life Alive as Dhakis Learn CPR Ahead of Durga Puja and World Heart Day
Kolkata: With Durga Puja around the corner, the beats of the dhak are once again setting the festive rhythm across Bengal. Just as a skipped beat of the dhak can disrupt the joy of a Dhunuchi Naach, a skipped heartbeat can be life-threatening. Aligning with this year’s World Heart Day theme, “Don’t Miss a Beat”, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata brought together tradition and modern healthcare by training Dhakis — the heartbeat of Puja — in lifesaving CPR.
The special initiative began with hands-on CPR training for Dhakis and was followed by a formal event graced by ace filmmaker Shiboprasad Mukherjee, Director of the upcoming movie Raktabeej 2, as chief guest. The day’s highlight was the Healthy Heart Patient Summit, where patients shared inspiring recovery stories alongside vital insights from senior cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
Over 1,500 citizens in Kolkata have already been trained as real-life CPR heroes under Manipal Hospitals’ mission. The hospital’s Bengaluru unit has also earned a Guinness World Record for large-scale CPR training, underlining its national commitment to emergency preparedness.
To address the common concern of doctor availability during Puja, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata has launched a 24×7 telecommunication facility, ensuring patients and families can access medical expertise anytime during the festivities.
Key Expert Insights:
- Dr. Dilip Kumar, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiology: Recognizing chest pain, breathlessness, and fatigue early can prevent fatal heart attacks.
- Dr. Kaushik Mukherjee, Consultant – Cardiothoracic Surgery: Minimally invasive heart surgeries reduce pain, infection risk, and recovery time.
- Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee, Consultant – Cardiology: Advanced tools like 3D imaging and next-gen cath labs ensure safer, precise interventions.
- Dr. Sujoy Chatterjee, HOD – Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery: Post-surgery rehab, stress management, and lifestyle care are vital for long-term heart health.
- Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, COO – Manipal Hospitals (East): “Just as the vibrant beats of the dhak keep Puja alive, timely response in an emergency keeps hearts beating.”
By blending culture with care, Manipal Hospitals ensured that Dhakis — the rhythm keepers of Durga Puja — are now empowered as lifesavers too.
