Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan highlights Chhattisgarh’s transformation from conflict to development; Governor Ramen Deka urges young doctors to combine medical expertise with compassion and ethics
TFP Bureau, Raipur, September 2, 2026: The third convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, was held on Wednesday in the presence of Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, with 689 students receiving degrees and 16 meritorious students being honoured with awards for academic excellence.
Among the graduates, 376 were women and 313 were men. The Vice President also presented gold medals and certificates to outstanding students and administered the ‘Say No to Drugs’ pledge to the graduating batch.
Addressing the convocation, Radhakrishnan described the occasion as not merely a celebration of academic achievement but the beginning of a greater responsibility. He said the degrees being awarded would soon be followed by the responsibility of safeguarding the health, trust and lives of people across the country.
AIIMS Raipur Reflects Chhattisgarh’s Transformation
The Vice President said AIIMS Raipur, established in 2012, has played a significant role in reducing regional disparities in healthcare, medical education and research in Central India. In a relatively short period, the institute has emerged as a major tertiary healthcare centre serving Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states, including rural and tribal populations.
Radhakrishnan said the growth of AIIMS Raipur reflects the broader transformation taking place in Chhattisgarh. He recalled that difficult terrain, inadequate connectivity and Left-Wing Extremism had historically created major barriers to development in several parts of the state.
He said Chhattisgarh was now moving from an era marked by fear and deprivation towards peace, development and new opportunities. The transformation, he added, had been driven by political resolve, a firm security policy and development-oriented governance.
Advanced Healthcare Expanding in the State
The Vice President described AIIMS Raipur as an important symbol of the emerging “New Chhattisgarh” and praised its progress in advanced medical care and transplantation.
He highlighted the institute’s achievements in kidney transplantation, including a reported success rate of more than 95 per cent, as well as corneal and ear transplants. The approval of a heart transplant programme, he said, marked another important milestone in expanding advanced healthcare facilities in the region.
Women’s Participation in Higher Education Rises
Radhakrishnan also highlighted the growing participation of women in higher education across the country. He noted that female enrolment increased from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.24 crore in 2023-24, representing a growth of 42.2 per cent.
He said balanced development of every state, district and village was essential to achieving the national vision of a Viksit Bharat. Addressing the graduating doctors, he urged them to reject drugs and use their knowledge, research and professional skills to contribute to society.
He expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh’s transformation would become an important chapter in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Governor Calls for Compassion and Ethical Practice
Governor Ramen Deka said medical education extends beyond knowledge and technical skills and requires patience, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility.
He told the young doctors that the true purpose of medicine lies in the service of humanity. Professional excellence, he said, is measured not only by clinical competence but also by a doctor’s conduct, trustworthiness and respect for patients.
Congratulating the graduates, the Governor encouraged them to contribute to healthcare development, medical research and innovation. He said AIIMS Raipur’s growing reputation was a matter of pride for Chhattisgarh and urged graduates to combine scientific curiosity with a research-oriented approach to address the healthcare needs of society.
Focus on Compassion, Research and Preventive Healthcare
Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel congratulated the graduating students and highlighted national healthcare initiatives including Ayushman Bharat, PM-JAY, ABHA and e-Sanjeevani.
She urged young doctors to complement medical excellence with compassion, ethical conduct, preventive healthcare, research and social service.
AIIMS Raipur Executive Director Lt Gen Ashok Jindal (Retd.) outlined the institute’s progress in medical education, research, innovation and patient-centric healthcare. He urged the graduating students to dedicate their knowledge and professional abilities to the service of society and the nation.
Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal and Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal attended the ceremony as special guests. AIIMS Raipur President Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev Handa and other senior officials, faculty members, students and their families were also present.
