A Legacy of Giving
The Class of 1991 Seva Scholarship
- Journey
- Build
- Serve
The inspiration
A life devoted to others is
a legacy that lives on.
There are lives whose greatest legacy is measured not in recognition or acclaim, but in the suffering they have eased, the dignity they have restored, and the hope they have brought to those whom society too often overlooks.
Among these are the Religious Sisters of the St. John’s Medical College Class of 1991, whose lives have been devoted to a calling of extraordinary compassion: serving the poor, the marginalized, and those with the least access to care.
Through their quiet dedication and steadfast commitment to humanity, they have given profound expression to the ideals upon which St. John’s was founded—that medicine, at its noblest, is an act of service.
“Medicine, at its noblest, is an act of service.”
A tribute that continues to give
The Spirit of Seva
In 2026, moved by the example of these remarkable women, their classmates came together to establish the Class of 1991 Seva Scholarship. It was a gesture of deep affection and gratitude, but also something more enduring: a determination to ensure that the values embodied by the Sister Doctors would continue to shape the lives of future generations.
Seva, the Sanskrit word for selfless service, lies at the heart of this tribute. It speaks to a generosity that seeks no recognition, a compassion that knows no boundaries, and a conviction that every human life deserves dignity and care. These are the principles the Sister Doctors have lived by—and the ideals this scholarship seeks to carry forward.
- Journey
- Build
- Serve
Guided by this vision, the scholarship provides financial support each year to a deserving MBBS student from a Dalit or Backward Caste background, selected based on academic merit and financial need.
Beyond academic achievement, it places value on a student’s commitment to community service, recognizing that the finest physicians are distinguished not only by their knowledge and skill, but also by their humanity.
Established with a corpus of $120,000 through a partnership with Friends of St. John’s Medical College (FOSJ-MC), and administered through the CBCI Society for Medical Education, the scholarship is designed to support one student annually in perpetuity. With St. John’s Medical College committed to meeting future increases in academic fees, this collective gift will continue to create opportunities long after its founding generation has passed.
Yet the true significance of this scholarship lies beyond its financial value. It is found in the promise of a medical education made possible, in the physician whose sense of purpose may be shaped by the example of the Sister Doctors, and in the countless lives that physician may one day touch through compassionate care.
The scholarship
$120,000
Giving that ripples outward
A legacy beyond one lifetime
The Class of 1991 has chosen to honor lives devoted to service by making service itself their legacy.
Their generosity offers a powerful reminder that philanthropy, at its most meaningful, is not simply about what we give, but about what our giving makes possible. When we invest in the education of a deserving young physician, we do more than change the course of one life. We create the possibility of healing, dignity, and hope reaching many others.
The Religious Sisters of the Class of 1991 have shown what a lifetime of selfless service can mean. Through this scholarship, their classmates have ensured that the spirit of that service has an opportunity to endure.
Moments and memories
The Class of 1991, Together
A celebration of friendship, shared purpose, and the enduring bond that made this scholarship possible.
The legacy continues
One generation's compassion becomes another generation's calling. One act of generosity becomes a legacy of service.
And in that enduring circle of giving, the true spirit of Seva lives on.
An invitation to give
Extend the Legacy of Service
Every deserving student given the opportunity to study medicine represents a future of possibilities—not only for the student, but for the communities they may one day serve.
The Class of 1991 has shown how shared gratitude and generosity can become an enduring gift of opportunity. Your support can help create similar scholarships, open doors for promising young minds, and nurture the next generation of compassionate physicians.
Help us carry forward the St. John’s tradition of service, one scholarship, one student, and countless lives at a time.
