Dhanuka Agritech inaugurated the Dhanuka Waiting Hall at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi on June 5, 2025. Spanning 68,800 square feet, the newly constructed waiting area aims to provide enhanced comfort to patients and their attendants at one of India’s notable medical institutions. The facility was developed as part of Dhanuka Group’s CSR initiative and is fully air-conditioned, equipped with clean sanitation facilities, mobile charging stations, and seating space for 1500. It was specifically designed to provide a dignified waiting environment to the thousands of patients and caregivers who visit AIIMS daily.
The waiting hall was inaugurated by Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi and Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of AYUSH, and Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. In the esteemed presence of Dr. M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi, Suresh Jain, National Organising Secretary, Bharat Vikas Parishad, and Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI.
The inauguration was followed by a one-day international Seminar on 'Crop Protection Chemicals and Cancer.' The seminar was jointly organised by Dhanuka Agritech Limited, AIIMS, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event was attended by senior leadership from the Dhanuka Group, including Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, and Manish Dhanuka, Managing Director, Orchid Pharma.
The seminar featured global and medical experts who facilitated informed discussions on the health impacts of crop protection chemicals, examining their regulatory, scientific, and ethical aspects. A key highlight was the keynote address by Dr. Angello Moretto, Director of the Occupational Health Unit at Padova University Hospital, Italy, Dr. Peter D Loke, Academic Associate, Centre for Biomedical Ethics Singapore, Dr. Michel Dourson, President and Director of Science, TERA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA and Gyanendra Gongal, Senior Public Health Officer, WHO, shared expert insights on the carcinogenic risks of pesticides, supported by scientific evaluations and exposure assessments.
Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi, said, “It is with immense gratitude that I thank the Dhanuka Group and Dr. R.G. Agarwal for their incredible contribution to a 1500-seat waiting hall, facilitated under CSR, worth Rs 6 crore. This is not just infrastructure, it’s an act of compassion, a gift of comfort for the families of patients waiting in hope. AIIMS is a true asha ki kiran, a ray of hope, where people turn when all else seems lost. I urge everyone to take inspiration from this gesture.”
Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of AYUSH and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said, “On this World Environment Day, I appreciate the Dhanuka Group for inaugurating this beautiful waiting hall at AIIMS. This is a commendable example of a CSR initiative. This facility will bring great comfort to patients and families. Such efforts strengthen our health infrastructure and take us closer to a Viksit Bharat, as envisioned by our Prime Minister. Let us work together for a healthier, sustainable India.”
Speaking at the event, Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus, Dhanuka Agritech Ltd., said, “Dhanuka Group has always stood by India’s farmers, but our duty doesn’t end there. When families wait at AIIMS with hope in their hearts, we want to give them dignity, comfort, and care. It is our way of serving the nation beyond agriculture. We believe real service is standing where people need you the most, whether in the field or at the hospital.”
With this initiative, Dhanuka Group reaffirms its commitment to national welfare by extending its focus beyond agriculture to invest in public health and infrastructure that directly benefits society. The event, coupled with the seminar on Crop Protection Chemicals and Cancer, underscores Dhanuka’s dedication to community well-being and its proactive approach to addressing critical health issues within the industry.
The seminar also served as an important platform to address and clarify widespread myths linking crop protection chemicals to cancer. Through evidence-based presentations and expert deliberations by national and international scientists, it became clear that such chemicals, when used responsibly and as per regulatory standards, are not directly correlated to cancer. These discussions helped bring scientific clarity and balance to a topic often clouded by misinformation.
