Keep the student in you alive, PM to AIIMS faculty

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday gave away the lifetime achievement awards at the 42nd convocation of the AIIMS to former senior faculty members, who have contributed immensely to the development of the institution, and advised the passing out graduates to keep the student in themselves alive.

“Keep the student in you alive. These people whom I have honoured today with the lifetime achievement awards, they belong to the age group of 70- 80 years. But if you meet them, you will find that they are very much aware of the latest developments of medical science, not because they need patients but because the student in them is still alive,” Mr Modi said.

Reminding the award winners of their days at the institute, Mr Modi said, “You had so many people to turn to here in your institute to solve your problems and satisfy your curiosity. There was always someone who would protect you and take responsibility for what you do and you were aware of that. But today from a four- walled closed classroom you will be entering a huge classroom. The moment, people especially those belonging to the medical profession fraternity feel that their learning period is over, I fell they stag- nate and get stuck in all kind of obstacles. The student mindset keeps the life alive and the moment we stop to learn, we should realise that we have taken a step towards death.”

Six persons honoured with the lifetime achievement award include Prof. G. P. Talwar, founder director of the National Institute of Immunology; Dr J. S. Guleria, former dean of faculty at AIIMS; Prof. P. N. Tandon, founder president of the National Brain Research Centre and also former president of Indian National Science Academy. Mr Tandon had founded the neurosurgery department at AIIMS.

The awards were also given to Dr Sneh Bhargava, eminent radiologist and former director of AIIMS; Dr I. K. Dhawan, former head of department of surgical disciplines who initiated the renal transplant programme in India; and P. Venugopal, founder chief of cardio- thoracic centre and former director of AIIMS.

Mr Modi said that when he had come to the function, a gentleman said that people are astounded by his energy.

“I say there is nothing to feel surprised about. People from medical science fraternity are present here and they know that the urge to learn something new and do something new every time fills us with energy and zeal,” he said.