Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 24: The 2nd Graduation Ceremony of MBBS Batch of 2018 of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) was held at Ambedkar Auditorium here this morning. Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency graced the occasion as the chief guest in the august presence of Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Smti Nandini Paliwal, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health). The function was also attended by Secretary (Health), Shri C Arvind, Special Secretary (Health), Dr. Anil Agarwal, other senior officers of Administration, proud parents and graduating students.
Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the students, their families, and the esteemed members of the Institution. He said, this occasion marks a new beginning in the lives of all the young graduates present here.
The Lt. Governor said, today’s inauguration of the new Administrative and Library Wing will further strengthen the infrastructure of the Institution. The Lt. Governor remarked that the contribution of ANIIMS and the doctors of GB Pant Hospital in the health sector of these remote Islands have been immensely valuable.
Listing the major achievements of the Institution, the Lt. Governor said, this year itself, lifesaving surgeries and major trauma surgeries performed by the Hospital and Plastic Surgeon have demonstrated the excellence of this institution in the healthcare sector. Similarly, more than 250 patients have benefited from cost-free treatment using intracardiac devices, as well as minimally invasive cancer surgeries for critical diseases. These super specialty surgeries have proven that the A&N Islands, including the graduate doctors and citizens, are equally capable of fulfilling the country’s health goals.
Lauding their years of perseverance and hard work, Hon’ble Lt. Governor said, “You have worked hard to successfully earn this degree, and now you are stepping into the challenging and highly demanding field of medicine, which requires dedication, compassion, and up-to-date knowledge. It is now time for you to selflessly dedicate yourselves to the welfare of society and humanity”. “You must understand that your actions and decisions will have a deep impact on the lives of others, and therefore, it is expected that you will care for your patients with love and empathy and responsibly fulfil your duties”, the Lt. Governor urged and reminded the graduates.
Congratulating the parents, families, and mentors present on the occasion, whose invaluable contribution has nurtured these emerging healthcare professionals, the Lt. Governor said, “Through them, you too are becoming partners in the service of the nation. You have provided these young people with education in both life and medicine, inspiring them to become skilled and compassionate healthcare providers”.
The Lt. Governor further stated that for the smooth functioning of ANIIMS, medical labs are extremely important and indispensable. In this regard, he informed that today, the Labs for Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pathology are operating efficiently here in the Islands. Additionally, the Lt. Governor said, the A&N Administration is actively working to soon commence Post Graduation Courses at ANIIMS and expressed confidence that the PG courses in five core subjects will begin soon.
Sharing the joy and success of the graduates, the Lt. Governor remarked “I also feel a sense of pride that, for the first time, so many doctors are graduating from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who will meet not only the healthcare needs of the islanders but also the entire country”.
Concluding his address, the Lt. Governor extended a heartfelt congratulations to the students on the beginning of this new chapter in their life. He expressed confidence that with the skills, ethics and sense of duty, these young doctors will be committed to the development, progress, and prosperity of the Islands as well as the nation, helping in realizing the dream of a ‘Healthy and Developed India’, he remarked.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor presented Certificate of Excellence and citation to the top five graduating doctors on the occasion viz. Akshita, Kaushik, G. Hariharan Subbu, Anuj Kumar Tiwari and Javeria.
Earlier, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor declared the convocation open. He also virtually inaugurated the newly constructed Administrative Block and Library Block of ANIIMS on the occasion. The Hon’ble Lt. Governor also unveiled the annual report of the Institution.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Member of Parliament congratulated the graduating students and urged them to work with dedication and empathy. He also distributed certificates to the graduating students on the occasion.
Welcoming the gathering, the Director (ANIIMS), Dr. Pragya Sharma congratulated the graduating batch of 2018 and their parents on this momentous occasion. She said, this ceremony is a moment of great significance marking not only the end of an arduous academic journey but also the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the graduates.
