Ranchi : Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan on October 10 urged young medical professionals to make competence, compassion, and character the guiding principles of their professional lives. He called upon them to extend quality healthcare to underserved communities and contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Addressing the second convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Deoghar, in Jharkhand, he stated that medical knowledge finds its highest meaning in service to society and encouraged graduates to take their expertise beyond institutional boundaries to villages, tribal communities, and remote areas.
Describing the convocation as a celebration of the aspirations of the Santhal Pargana region, the Vice-President said AIIMS Deoghar symbolised the growing opportunities in medical education and healthcare for tribal and rural communities. He congratulated the graduating doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, reminding them that a medical degree was not merely an academic achievement but also an obligation to serve the underserved and vulnerable with integrity, empathy and dedication.
Highlighting the legacy of tribal and freedom fighters Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidho-Kanhu and Tilka Manjhi, Radhakrishnan called upon the graduates to draw inspiration from their courage and commitment to society. He emphasised that young medical professionals must remain connected to the communities that institutions such as AIIMS Deoghar were established to serve.
AIIMS Deoghar a symbol of inclusive development
The Vice-President appreciated AIIMS Deoghar’s contribution to strengthening healthcare delivery in the region, particularly through its community outreach programmes covering malaria elimination, lymphatic filariasis surveillance, anaemia, hearing health and school health. He noted that the responsibility of a medical institution extended well beyond its campus and included addressing public health challenges in the surrounding communities.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan graced the Second Convocation of AIIMS Deoghar in Jharkhand today.
Highlighting AIIMS Deoghar as a symbol of balanced and inclusive development, the Vice-President emphasised that access to quality healthcare and medical education must… pic.twitter.com/SnGIpfcYqU
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) October 10, 2026
Expansion of medical education and healthcare infrastructure
Referring to the expansion of medical education and healthcare infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Radhakrishnan said the number of medical colleges in India had increased from 387 before 2014 to 846. He said institutions such as AIIMS Deoghar reflected the commitment to balanced and inclusive development.
Access to quality healthcare and higher education in every state, district and village, he stressed, was central to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He also encouraged young professionals to adopt emerging technologies responsibly and ensure that advancements in artificial intelligence, telemedicine and digital diagnostics benefited people in remote areas as well as those living in cities.
Women’s growing role in healthcare and national development
The Vice-President noted that women accounted for 132 of the 173 graduating students, describing it as a reflection of the country’s progress from women’s empowerment towards women-led development. He said education continued to play a transformative role in enabling women to realise their potential and contribute to national progress.
He also urged the graduates to spread the message of “No to Drugs” among young people and commended nursing professionals for their indispensable role in providing compassionate patient care. Expressing confidence in the institute’s future, he said AIIMS Deoghar would continue to develop as a centre of clinical excellence, scientific research and compassionate service for Jharkhand and the wider eastern region.
Concluding his address, Radhakrishnan urged the graduates to let their knowledge heal, their research innovate and their service inspire, while remaining committed to competence, compassion and character throughout their professional journeys.
The AIIMS Deoghar convocation was attended by Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar; Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav; Jharkhand Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Minister Dr Irfan Ansari; Lok Sabha MP Dr Nishikant Dubey; Rajya Sabha MP Pradip Kumar Varma; Deoghar MLA Suresh Paswan; AIIMS Deoghar President Professor M. V. Padma Srivastava; and Executive Director and CEO Professor Nitin M. Gangane, among other dignitaries, faculty members, graduates and their families.
Vice-President highlights commitment to veterans and Veer Naris
Later, the Vice-President visited the Sainya Sampark Mela – Sadaiv Aapke Saath in Deoghar, organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Deoghar District Administration to provide welfare services and grievance redressal facilities to ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and their dependents across the Santhal Pargana region.
Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan paid tribute to veterans and Veer Naris for their invaluable sacrifices and contributions to the nation. Describing veterans as an important national resource, he said their experience could guide the younger generation and their leadership could contribute significantly to nation-building.
Recalling Jharkhand’s proud legacy of military service and sacrifice, the Vice-President paid tribute to Param Vir Chakra awardee Lance Naik Albert Ekka and the State’s tribal freedom fighters.
He appreciated the single-window services at the Mela, highlighting the importance… pic.twitter.com/kGdH4ZGufC
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) October 10, 2026
He also acknowledged the sacrifices made by the families of serving personnel, observing that behind every soldier guarding the nation’s borders stood a family that shared the responsibilities and challenges of military service. The nation, he said, could never forget the sacrifices of its soldiers and their families.
Jharkhand’s proud tradition of military service and sacrifice
Recalling his tenure as Governor of Jharkhand, the Vice-President highlighted the state’s proud tradition of military service, patriotism and sacrifice. He paid tribute to Param Vir Chakra awardee Lance Naik Albert Ekka and remembered tribal freedom fighters, including Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi, Sidho and Kanhu, and Nilambar and Pitambar.
Radhakrishnan said the spirit of patriotism and national service continued to inspire the people of Jharkhand. He called for sustained national commitment to the welfare of veterans, Veer Naris and their families, emphasising that those who had served the nation deserved continued respect, support and care.
One Rank, One Pension and last-mile welfare delivery
The Vice-President highlighted the fulfilment of the long-standing demand for One Rank, One Pension under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and referred to various welfare initiatives undertaken for veterans and Veer Naris.
Appreciating the single-window mechanism at the Sainya Sampark Mela, he said bringing pension-related assistance, medical facilities, documentation services and grievance redressal together on one platform was a meaningful example of effective last-mile service delivery.
He emphasised that coordinated efforts by the Armed Forces, civil administration, financial institutions, healthcare providers and welfare agencies were essential to ensuring that veterans and their families received timely assistance. Calling for the theme “Sadaiv Aapke Saath” (Always with You) to become a continuing national commitment, he said the country must ensure that veterans and their families always felt respected, supported and cared for.
Welfare services and support for veterans and their families
During the visit, the Vice-President toured various stalls showcasing weapons and military equipment, disaster relief facilities, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme services, medical screening and blood donation camps, women’s health awareness initiatives, National Cadet Corps activities and pension-related services. He also interacted with veterans, beneficiaries and other visitors to the mela.
Radhakrishnan congratulated the Indian Army and the Deoghar District Administration for organising the initiative and appreciated the efforts of Member of Parliament Dr Nishikant Dubey. He also thanked the participating institutions and agencies for contributing to the welfare of the Armed Forces community.
The Sainya Sampark Mela was attended by Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar; Union Minister of State Prataprao Jadhav; MPs Dr Nishikant Dubey and Aditya Sahu; General Officer Commanding, 111 Area, Lieutenant General Pawan Chadha; Chairperson of Baba Baidyanath Medical Trust Anamika Gautam; senior Army officers, civil administration officials, veterans, Veer Naris and their families.
