‘Class of 2008, please stay put in India’

Shoubhik Goyal topped the MBBS Class of 2008 at the AIIMS and walked away with four medals in individual subjects at its convocation, which took place after a gap of two years.

Shoubhik Goyal topped the MBBS Class of 2008 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and walked away with four medals in individual subjects at its convocation, which took place after a gap of two years.

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After giving away the degrees, AIIMS president and health minister Anbumani Ramadoss urged graduating doctors, nurses and para-medical staff to stay in the country. “Please stay put in India. The country needs quality medical human resources. You guys are the best, not just in India but in the world,” he said.

Chief guest Dr R. K. Pachauri, chairperson of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change also underlined it was time for Indians to start serving their own country. “I returned to India in 1975, after 10 years in the US, because I wanted to do something for my country. And I haven’t regretted my decision one bit,” he said.

As first reported by HT in August last year, Dr Ramadoss announced a second campus for AIIMS is to be established soon. “Talks are on with NCR governments to acquire the necessary three acres,” he said. This step is expected to greatly boost facilities and research in AIIMS. The minister said the institute not just provided simple care but also contributed to high-end research, education and policy advice to the government on various issues.