On any given weekday, Salt Lake’s Sector Vpul se s with urgency. Phones ringing, deadlines looming, and professionals racing against time. In the midst of this relentless rhythm, health often takes a backseat , quietly overshadowed by meetings and metrics. But a recent panel discussion at Infinity Think Tank sought to challenge exactly that narrative, placing preventive healthcare firmly at the centre of urban life. Held recently , the session brought together voices from business, healthcare, and the creative world to examine a growing concern : how modern life style s are reshaping health outcomes in cities like Kolkata.
The conversation was anchored by AM Medical Centre Director Dr. Moon Chattaraj and psychologist Sneha Dey, alongside prominent figures such as industrialist R. S. Goenka , actress Richa Sharma , Infinity Group Chairman Rabindra Chamaria, WEBEL Chairman Sutirtha Bhattacharya, and filmmaker Arindam Sil. The discussion unfolded against a backdrop that is all too familiar in urban India – rising stress levels, sedentary work patterns, and a surge in lifestyle-related disorders. Yet, rather than focusing solely on treatment, the panel emphasised a more forward-looking approach: prevention.
“Healthcare needs to meet people where they are,” noted Dr. Chattaraj during the session, pointing to the thousands of professionals in Sector V who often struggle to prioritise their well-being amid packed schedules. Her perspective reflects a broader shift in urban healthcare thinking – one that recognises accessibility not just as a logistical concern, but as a behavioural one. The idea resonated across the panel. R. S. Goenka highlighted how rapidly expanding cities are placing new pressures on both physical and mental health, making timely medical intervention more critical than ever. For Rabindra Chamaria, the issue is equally cultural.
“We tend to take health seriously only after something goes wrong,” he observed, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and early action. This convergence of ideas found tangible expression in the launch of the centre’s new facility in Sector V. Strategically located within Kolkata’s busiest IT and business district, the centre aims to bridge a long-standing gap – bringing healthcare closer to where people work and live. But what sets this initiative apart is its inclusive vision. While its location makes it particularly convenient for corporate employees, the facility is designed to serve a much broader demographic.
From families in nearby neighbourhoods to students seeking dependable medical guidance, the centre positions itself as a community hub rather than a corporate clinic. Equipped with consultation services, diagnostic facilities, and a strong focus on preventive care, the centre reflects an evolving healthcare model – one that prioritizes early diagnosis and routine check- ups over reactive treatment. It’s an approach that aligns with global health trends, yet remains deeply rooted in local realities.
As the panel discussion concluded, one message stood out clearly: in cities defined by speed and ambition, health cannot remain an afterthought. By embedding healthcare into everyday spaces – into the very fabric of professional life – initiatives like this could help reshape how urban populations engage with their well-being. In Sector V, where the workday rarely pauses, the hope is that health will no longer have to wait.