Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said AIIMS Raipur reflects Chhattisgarh’s transformation towards peace, development and opportunity, while urging medical graduates to serve the country with dedication.

 Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Wednesday described AIIMS Raipur as a symbol of Chhattisgarh’s transition from years of challenges linked to left-wing extremism towards an era of peace, progress and opportunity.

Radhakrishnan was speaking at the third convocation of AIIMS Raipur, where he urged graduating students to shoulder their responsibility towards the health, trust and lives of citizens with dedication.

Addressing the graduates, the Vice President said the convocation was not merely a moment of celebration but also an occasion to recognise the responsibilities that come with their medical education.

“Today you are receiving your degrees and tomorrow you will be entrusted with a far more valuable responsibility—the health, trust and lives of the people of India,” he said.

AIIMS Raipur expands healthcare access

Radhakrishnan highlighted the role of AIIMS Raipur since its establishment in 2012 in reducing regional disparities in healthcare, medical education and research in central India.

He said the institution has emerged in a relatively short period as a major tertiary healthcare centre for Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states, while also extending quality medical services to rural and tribal communities.

The Vice President said the growth of AIIMS Raipur reflects the wider transformation taking place in Chhattisgarh.

From extremism to development

Referring to the challenges faced by parts of Chhattisgarh for decades, Radhakrishnan said difficult geography, poor connectivity and left-wing extremism had created major barriers to development.

He said fear and violence in several remote and tribal areas had affected the development of roads, schools and hospitals, leaving communities with limited access to essential services.

According to the Vice President, Chhattisgarh is now moving towards a new phase of prosperity, development and progress. He attributed the change to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

Radhakrishnan said the long-standing Naxal threat had ended and that areas once associated with violence were increasingly becoming associated with roads, schools, hospitals, connectivity, investment and opportunities.

“This transformation is a powerful example of how strong political will, a firm security policy and development-oriented governance can bring about significant change,” he said.

AIIMS Raipur’s medical achievements highlighted

The Vice President also praised AIIMS Raipur for its achievements in advanced healthcare and transplantation.

He highlighted the first kidney transplant in Chhattisgarh, a reported success rate of more than 95 per cent in kidney transplantation, corneal transplantation and ear transplantation as significant milestones.

He said the approval of a heart transplant programme was another important achievement, reflecting the growing availability of advanced medical care in the region.

Balanced development key to Viksit Bharat

Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of balanced development for achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat.

He said the vision could become a reality only when every state, district and village progresses.

The Vice President also underlined the importance of access to higher education and pointed to the expansion of higher education over the past 12 years.

He highlighted the increase in female enrolment in higher education, which rose from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.24 crore in 2023-24, representing a 42.2 per cent increase.

At the AIIMS Raipur convocation, 376 women and 313 men received degrees.

Vice President urges graduates to reject drugs

Addressing the young graduates, Radhakrishnan urged them to firmly say no to drugs and contribute to building an India where technology reaches all citizens and every young Indian can aspire to a better future.

“May your knowledge provide health, your research bring innovation and your service inspire,” he said.

He wished AIIMS Raipur continued success in clinical excellence, scientific innovation, public health and compassionate service, and expressed hope that Chhattisgarh’s transformation would become an important chapter in the journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The Vice President also presented gold medals and certificates to meritorious students.

Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel, Chhattisgarh Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal and senior AIIMS Raipur officials were also present.