- President graces first convocation of AIIMS Rajkot, calls for compassionate, tech-ready healthcare leaders
- Emphasises trust, empathy and integrity as the true pillars of the medical profession
- Urges institution to address region-specific health challenges with strong governance and transparency
- Links quality healthcare to Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, calls AIIMS key to national health transformation
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
RAJKOT, APR 13
In a defining moment for one of India’s emerging premier medical institutions, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced and addressed the first convocation ceremony of AIIMS Rajkot on Monday, delivering a powerful message that blended medical excellence with human values and national responsibility.
Setting the tone of the address, the President underscored the transformative potential of the medical profession, stating, “Skilled and socially conscious doctors have the power to bring about profound change in society.” Her remarks resonated deeply with graduating students stepping into a profession that demands both scientific mastery and compassionate service.
Highlighting the expanding footprint of All India Institutes of Medical Sciences across the country, she said these institutions are pivotal in delivering affordable world-class tertiary healthcare, while advancing research, innovation and public health policy. “The commitment of AIIMS to advancing healthcare through innovative research and patient care is praiseworthy,” she noted.
Calling AIIMS Rajkot a young institution with immense potential, the President urged its leadership to go beyond conventional goals. “It has a long journey ahead… policymakers should incorporate not only core goals but also address region-specific health challenges,” she said, stressing that good governance and transparency from the outset will shape its long-term success.
Delivering a deeply human message to graduates, she reminded them that medicine is more than a career. “The medical profession is not merely a profession; it is also a commitment to the service of humanity… it demands not only scientific knowledge but also sensitivity, patience and humility.” She added that the iconic white coat represents society’s trust during its most vulnerable moments—“The responsibility of upholding this trust rests upon the shoulders of doctors.”
On the future of medicine, the President highlighted the rapid evolution driven by Artificial Intelligence, robotics and digital health. “Technological advancements are occurring at an unprecedented pace… students must remain prepared to embrace these changes,” she said, while firmly adding, “the role of human empathy in medicine can never be replaced.”
Reinforcing the moral compass of the profession, she observed, “Being a good doctor is a significant achievement. However, being a doctor imbued with human values such as integrity, compassion, and a spirit of benevolence is an even greater one.”
Linking healthcare to national development, the President stated, “The good health of citizens is crucial for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047,” and emphasised that institutions like AIIMS must lead by setting new benchmarks in research, innovation and equitable healthcare access. She expressed confidence that AIIMS Rajkot will play a vital role in realising this vision.
