ADDRESS BY THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SMT. DROUPADI MURMU AT THE CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF THE AIIMS, NEW DELHI

I feel happy to be here today at the 49th Convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, an institution which has earned its prestige across the world by pursuing excellence in healthcare, medical education and life sciences research.

AIIMS is a symbol of hope for millions of patients who come here for treatment, often from afar. Its faculty, helped by paramedics and non- medical staff, treat the underprivileged and the privileged with the same dedication and empathy. In fact, I would say that the AIIMS is a running laboratory of the Gita’s Karma Yoga.

As we gather to celebrate the achievements of the talented individuals educated here, I am reminded of the pivotal role AIIMS has played in healthcare not only nationally but also globally. It is, indeed, a proud Made-in-India success story and is a model worthy to be emulated across the country. In the 69 years of its existence, the brand AIIMS has stood the test of time because of its commitment to values.

The AIIMS has nurtured some of the finest medical minds, and its alumni have been heading various top hospitals and medical colleges not only in India but also abroad. It has also been at the forefront of groundbreaking research, particularly during global health emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic. The institute's commitment to advancing healthcare through innovative research and patient care is truly commendable.

I am confident that the AIIMS will retain that mandate in the core of its evolution in future as India progresses to become a developed nation by the end of Amrit Kaal in 2047.

I am glad to learn about the steps that AIIMS has taken to ensure good governance, enhancing transparency, efficiency and accountability in all its endeavours. Good governance is necessary for the healthy growth of any organization, and AIIMS is no exception. Its responsibility goes beyond healthcare, education and research. It extends to fostering an environment where every stakeholder's voice is heard, where resources are utilised judiciously, and where excellence is the norm.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With advances in healthcare, life expectancy is rising. As a result, the ageing population is bound to increase leading to new challenges in this field. At the same time, the medical profession has been grappling with diseases which arise out of lifestyle changes in modern times. We know that we need to overcome the challenges posed by the pace of civilisation that cannot be altered.

In this forum, I want to emphasise on a serious issue of emotional health which poses a serious challenge in today’s world. There is no scope for despair for anyone, particularly the younger generation. With my own experience, I can tell you with certainty that every loss in life is fixable except the loss of a precious life. I will urge the learned faculty of AIIMS to launch an awareness drive on the issue of mental health to make people aware of this hidden sickness.

As you all are aware, this is an era of medicine 3.0 which is described by Dr. Peter Attia, an American physician and author, as the transition of healthcare from reactive to proactive approaches. In this new approach, a unique collaboration is forged between patients, doctors and diagnostic technologies to check the ailments at the initial stage. In the older times, our sages discovered the secret of longevity by living in harmony with nature and practising Yoga. Unlike modern medicine which conducts a relatively short-term experiment to arrive at a conclusion, Ayurveda, Yoga and many traditional systems of medicine take a long-term and holistic approach to human health. I am glad to know that the AIIMS Delhi has embraced our ancient health healing practices to offer a mix of modernity and tradition in dealing with the health matters.

Another point I wish to mention is the bias, which may be unwitting or otherwise, against women in healthcare, not only in India but across the world. For example, studies conducted by the AIIMS’s cardiologists show that there are far fewer female patients, compared to male patients, coming for treatment at the initial stage of heart ailments. This is true of other diseases as well. It is, of course, a larger social issue. But the AIIMS can take a lead in launching a campaign to bring gender parity in the healthcare protocol.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Now I turn to the graduating students. Firstly, let me offer you and your family my warmest congratulations! This institution has imparted knowledge and skills, and you have learned the art of healing with dedication and perseverance. During your internship, you have had an opportunity to apply your knowledge to real life. You have also seen during that phase how patients look upon you. For them, you are God-send angels. You have noticed that they put themselves in your care with faith and trust. I am sure you already know how it feels to remove someone’s pain, if not save someone’s life.

As you step out of the campus and into the world outside, I am sure you will remember the smile on their faces and the blessings on their lips. I know pursuing this study takes far more years than most other branches of study. Now you have to build a bright career to make use of your education. Yet, I will urge you to never ignore any opportunity to help the underprivileged. Moreover, many regions in the country do not have medical professionals in sufficient numbers. I am sure some of you will consider serving people in those regions, even if for a part of the year.

Some of you may wish to pursue further studies and make a career in research. That will be most welcome too, as we need doctors of your caliber to discover new cures and also to better understand the human body.

Whatever career choice you make, I will offer only one piece of advice: never forget to take care of the people around you, and more importantly, never forget to take your own care, of your physical and mental health.

Once again, my congratulations to you, the faculty and the administration! My best wishes will always be with you.

Thank you,
Jai Hind!
Jai Bharat!