Medical and Research Centres are complex and sensitive subjects, simply because they not only represent an induction of prevailing and current thought processes but more also feature an attempt to peer into the looking glass that is the future.

They should also reflect levels of knowledge and sensitivity that culminate in excellence of patient care, in terms of both the body and the mind, whilst incorporating technologies and approaches to diagnosis, treatment planning and therapy that are currently relevant, but are capable of change and expansion in the future.

The Institute was intended to be an ’Island of Excellence’ in providing a comprehensive ‘cancer’ cover for the entire state of Rajasthan, a lofty objective indeed! Personally, we realized this was a unique opportunity to weave together two seemingly paradoxical streams – the philosophy of the East with the technical excellence of the West. We have to address the Mind of the Patient, not only the Body.

To realize this, we drew up a base matrix, which we felt covered most of the major parameters/issues we had listed in our study. The ‘issues’ here refer to distinct demands made by a hospital of this nature and the entire planning process catered to resolving the same.

The entire plan draws upon the concept of the Mandala, the very model for the city of Jaipur itself. The spine runs diagonally across the Mandala – connecting all the major activities.