AIIMS Raipur Reflects Chhattisgarh’s Shift From Naxal Conflict to Development: Vice President

Raipur-Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan said AIIMS Raipur has emerged as a symbol of Chhattisgarh’s transformation from a region once affected by Left-Wing Extremism to one increasingly defined by peace, development and new opportunities.

Addressing the third convocation ceremony of AIIMS Raipur, the Vice President said the institution’s growth since its establishment in 2012 reflects the wider changes taking place across the state, particularly in healthcare, education and connectivity.

He urged the graduating students to recognise that their medical degrees come with a responsibility to protect the health and lives of people.

“Today, you receive your degrees and tomorrow, you will be entrusted with something far more valuable—the health, trust and lives of the people of Bharat,” he said.

Radhakrishnan highlighted the role of AIIMS Raipur in reducing regional disparities in specialised healthcare and medical education. The institute has developed into a major tertiary-care centre catering not only to Chhattisgarh but also to neighbouring states and communities in rural and tribal areas.

He pointed to the institute’s progress in advanced medical treatment, including kidney and corneal transplantation, ear implants and Chhattisgarh’s first swap kidney transplant.

The Vice President also noted that kidney transplantation at the institute has recorded a success rate of more than 95 per cent. Approval for a heart-transplant programme, he said, marks another significant step in expanding advanced medical services in the region.

Reflecting on Chhattisgarh’s past challenges, the Vice President said difficult terrain, poor connectivity and Left-Wing Extremism had previously restricted development in several remote and tribal areas.

According to him, prolonged violence had affected the expansion of essential infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals and made access to basic services difficult for many communities.

He said the situation has changed considerably, with areas once associated with violence increasingly becoming centres of connectivity, infrastructure, investment and opportunity.

Radhakrishnan credited the transformation to what he described as strong political leadership, a firm security approach and development-focused governance. He referred to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in this context.

He described AIIMS Raipur as a reflection of the “new Chhattisgarh”, where improved peace and development are creating greater possibilities for citizens.

The Vice President stressed that the national goal of Viksit Bharat cannot be achieved unless development reaches every part of the country.

He said progress must extend beyond major cities and encompass every state, district and village. Higher education, he added, will play a central role in creating a more developed and capable India.

Radhakrishnan also highlighted the growing participation of women in higher education. Female enrolment increased from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.24 crore in 2023-24, representing a rise of 42.2 per cent.

At the AIIMS Raipur convocation, women also outnumbered men among the degree recipients, with 376 women and 313 men graduating.

Addressing the young doctors and graduates, the Vice President called on them to take a firm stand against drug abuse and contribute to building a healthier society.

He encouraged them to ensure that advances in technology and medical knowledge reach people at the grassroots level.

“May your knowledge heal, your research innovate and your service inspire,” he said.

The Vice President also presented gold medals and certificates to meritorious students and wished AIIMS Raipur continued progress in clinical care, scientific research, public health and compassionate service.

He expressed hope that Chhattisgarh’s transformation would become an important part of India’s broader journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

The convocation was attended by Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Anupriya Patel, Chhattisgarh Health and Family Welfare Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, AIIMS Raipur President Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Handa and Executive Director Retired Lieutenant General Ashok Jindal, among others.