Bhubaneswar: Hailing doctorhood as a pledge and not just a profession, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said more and more women should enter the medical sector to further strengthen the healthcare system.
Speaking at the 5th convocation ceremony of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar here, the President emphasised that that doctorhood is not a simply a profession but a pledge, a vow and a noble mission.
Congratulating the graduating students and acknowledging their dedication and achievement, Murmu expressed special joy over the fact that more female students received gold medals than male students.
Strongly favouring the entry of more women into medical sector, the President said, ‘Mothers and sisters are the true symbols of service. The more women enter the medical field, the stronger our healthcare system will become.”
Highlighting AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s growing prominence, President Murmu noted that patients are now coming from outside the country to seek quality treatment here. In the past decade alone, over ten lakh people have been treated at the institute.
“I spent my childhood in a village where people regarded doctors as Gods. In reality, doctorhood is not just a profession—it is a sacred vow,” she said while recalling her own experience.
Stressing that medical service has no endpoint and continues until the last breath, Murmu said this is not a 10-to-5 duty. Doctors must be ready to work at all times. The inner satisfaction derived from this selfless service is beyond comparison.
The President’s speech served as a powerful reminder of the nobility and responsibility associated with the medical profession, urging the new graduates to serve society with compassion and commitment.
“I am happy that girls have secured more gold medals than the boys. Like many other sectors, it’s an encouraging sign that girls are doing better than boys in the medical sector as well. I am sure that more of our girls will become doctors and serve the patients with care. History suggests that mothers and sisters are symbols of service. I am sure that the service will be more strengthened and careful when more and more girls become doctors,” said Murmu.
“I believe that on the basis of healthcare provided at AIIMS, India will be a leading healthcare destination across the globe. I am glad to know that over the last twelve years, this institute has grown significantly. Be it patient care, medical research or social welfare activities, this institute has earned many accolades. In the past decade alone, over 10 lakh (1 million) people have been treated at the institute. Also, 17 lakhs diagnostic tests and 25,000 surgeries have also been conducted. I am glad to know that this institute functions with a large number of medical departments and various services. There are many specialists and super specialities delivering healthcare across many disciplines,” she added.
President was accompanied by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi.
The esteemed dignitaries gracing the occasion congratulated the students and applauded the efforts of AIIMS Bhubaneswar for holistic healthcare services in Eastern India.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr Ashutosh Biswas welcoming Hon’ble President of India with other dignitaries highlighted the successes of the national institution. President of AIIMS Bhubaneswar Dr. Shailesh Kumar was also present on this occasion.
The President awarded 59 Gold Medals to meritorious students of AIIMS Bhubaneswar from different disciplines like DM/MCh (1 scholar), MD/MS (1), MBBS (17), BSc Nursing (3), BSc Paramedical (7), MSc Nursing (2). While Chitluri Neha and Medha Menon have been awarded as best outgoing MBBS Graduates, Mrinmoyee Mondal and Priyanka Singh have been adjudged as best BSc (Hons) Nursing Graduate.
