उपराज्यपाल, दिल्ली

• Chief Secretary,ShriNaresh Kumar,
• Dr. NarottamPuriji,
• Secretary, Health
• Heads of Departments and Deans,
• Faculty Members,
• Members of the media and above all my dear students and parents,

1. I am happy to be amidst you on the occasion of your 62nd& 63rdAnnual Day, indeed it is the proverbial Red Letter day for you.
2. At the outset, I would like to underline that this occasion, when two Annual Days are being celebrated together, speaks volumes of your resilience and perseverance. The COVID pandemic, while disrupting normal life like never before, also presented huge challenges to human capacity and ingenuity. None more than the medical fraternity, stood up to this challenge and converted the challenge into an opportunity for innovations and selfless service. I would like to record my appreciation and gratitude for the same.
3. Dear Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen,
   Before, I proceed further, I would like to go into the history of this illustrious institution. It was in February of 1958 that Maulana Azad Medical College, named after India’s first education minister, AbulKalam Azad, made its humble beginnings in the erstwhile Irwin Hospital now known as the LokNayak Hospital. Today that sapling planted by the founding fathers, and nurtured over years by its dedicated faculty, staff and students, has grown into a sprawling campus which includes in its fold the LokNayak Hospital, GB Pant institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, The Guru Nanak Eye Centre and the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences.
4. The mission of every medical college is to provide excellent knowledge as well as training that will prepare the students to meet the professional and scientific challenges that will dominate the 21st century. Dear students, you are indeed one of those few who have this College as your alma mater.
5. MAMC today embodies medical excellence. It is the desired destination of the brightest students of the country who qualify All India Competitive Examination both for their undergraduate and postgraduate medical training.  MAMC has almost 1600 undergraduate medical and dental students and over 500 Postgraduate students enrolled in academic programs. It also offers more than 40 fulltime courses leading to various postgraduate and super-specialty degrees. Top ranking postgraduate Doctors from the country, select Superspeciality DM, Mch courses of MAMC and it’s associated Institute, the G B Pant PG Institute through an All India competitive exam.
6. Our experience during the COVID pandemic has highlighted the importance of the role of a Medical Institution in imparting quality education to it’s students like never before. I am sure as you pass out of the portals of your alma mater, you would have sufficiently learnt from this experience and will meet the challenges that stand ahead of you in your practice and further research.
7. To my mind, the responsibility of any institution is to provide Top class education to it’s students, and that can be possible, only if the Faculty is constantly challenging it’s limits and acquiring knowledge. It has to constantly keep in sync with the ever evolving challenges of medical research and quality education. Institutions also have to provide undaunting support to it’s faculty and students by providing proper infrastructure and ample opportunities to progress. It is a matter of satisfaction that the MAMC has stood up to these expectations. The outstanding work by the Doctors of this institution in the fight against the pandemic, as indeed the enriching role played by its alumni across the country  bears out the commitment of this Institution to the Society.
8. The students of MAMC have invariably excelled, both in the academic as well as extra curricular activities. Theirperformance in MBBS and MD /MS examinations has been remarkable. It is a matter ofpride that the students trained in this Institution command great respect and enjoy recognitionabroad as well.
9. Students need mentors to realize their potential and reach the pinnacle of excellence. Needless to say that the backbone of any academic institution are its faculty and the faculty of MAMC have not only been dedicated teachers and mentors for the students and residents, but have brought accolades to the institution through their research, and hard work.
10. Dear Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen,
    Proceeding further, I would like to underline the importance of basic research for human development. In a nation, yet marred by poverty and disease, Doctors and Physicians have an added responsibility of scaling hitherto unscored frontiers. In doing so, pure research, bereft of professional and commercial considerations is the most essential prerequisite. It should be the most important benchmark of excellence of an academic institution. In addition to teaching and training, encouraging research should be an important mandate for any premium Medical institution.
11. In addition to this, it is equally important that every Medical institution not only concentrates on academics but also focus on Ethics, Communication, Attitudes and skills to treat patients with empathy and compassion. It is my experience that a patient and compassionate Doctor does more good to a person ailing, than any medicine or machine.
12. Dear Students
    This is a gracious occasion where we honor some of the best minds of the country. This is not just an honor for the academic achievements, but I believe that you will all walk out of here not just as better and compassionate doctors but good human beings. I will like to remind all young doctors present here today that,as a doctor one may just cure, but by being a good human being,one can heal; they can take away the pain and mental agony of the patient whom they will treat,henceforth. I exhort you all to inculcate this as a talisman from me.
13. My heartiest congratulations to energetic young doctors who are getting their degrees today, and in particular to those who have won medals and awards. This is a landmark moment in your lives. I also congratulate their parents & faculty for enabling them to achieve these laurels. The students have a prestigious career ahead.
14. Before I conclude, I wish to bring to your attention that prestige brings responsibilities and as the torch bearers of this college, you have several responsibilities to fulfill. The first and foremost is to serve humankind, and in honestly doing so you will  preserve the prestige of the MAMC, your parents, the society as indeed the nation.

I wish you Godspeed.

Jai Hind !