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| President recipe: Involve all regions, all sections in development program | | | Early Times Reporter
Srinagar | May 23
Counting the overwhelming support which Jammu and Kashmir has been getting from the Center, the President of India Pratibha Patil today underlined the importance of equitable and inclusive development involving all parts of the state.
“Development process should inclusive involving all parts of the state and all sections of population”, said the President. Pratibha Patil made this significant statement in her convocation address at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciencies, Srinagar.
She pointed out that wide ranging initiatives are being implemented to revitalize the state's economy and build a new peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir adding it is important that the development process is inclusive and covers all parts of the state as well as all sections of the population.
The President said the state government is making every effort to create the conditions for faster development through various schemes and projects. The central government, through sponsored programmes and the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan has been a partner in the development efforts of Jammu and Kashmir. She said the state has tremendous economic potential and its people have immense talent. 'I am confident that the people of Jammu and Kashmir can look to their future with hope and confidence'.
The President said it gives her great pleasure to be participating in the convocation of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in this beautiful city of Srinagar. 'I am delighted to be in Jammu and Kashmir on my first visit here since I assumed the office of the President of India last year'. She said Jammu and Kashmir has for centuries attracted people and enthralled them with its scenic beauty. Kashmir has been described as a 'Paradise on Earth', by countless travellers who through the ages have been here. The beauty of this land is such that the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir described Kashmir in the immortal words, "Agar firdaus bar ru-e zamin ast, Hami ast o-hami ast o-hami ast." (If there is paradise on Earth, It is this, it is this, it is this). She said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have impressed all with the tolerance and resilience that they have demonstrated over a period of time. 'I am sure Jammu and Kashmir with its resources, its potential and the willingness of its people to work hard, will move forward on the path of development, prosperity and peace'.
The President said the progress of Jammu and Kashmir is the progress of India. As the nation continues its quest for growth and spreading prosperity, we need to use all means available to achieve this goal. In this regard, there is no doubt that education and health are two such tools, which we must harness. She said Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences brings together in one place these two important levers of development. As a deemed University, this institute has been imparting commendable service in medical education and training to a large number of doctors, nurses and paramedics.
The President said healthy citizens make a healthy nation. For improving the health and, thus, the quality of the lives of our citizens, there is need to provide healthcare to the people with a special focus on making health facilities available to those residing in rural areas, especially women, children and the elderly. She said this requires building a strong health infrastructure along with dedicated doctors, trained nurses and technical manpower. Equally important is the need to have functional health centres, from the level of primary health centres in the rural areas up-to speciality hospitals.
The President said the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences is one of the premier institutes of medical education in the country and is also providing quality patient care. Conceived as a centre of excellence 25 years ago, it has emerged as a reputed hospital. As a referral centre for the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, this institution has become identified with providing service to the city of Srinagar, the state and the community at large. The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences has been increasing and strengthening its infrastructure to serve the people better. The bed strength has risen to 600 with another 100 beds expected to be commissioned soon. Around 2,000 patients are attended daily at the outpatient department and another 200 are looked after at the emergency department. Every month, more than one lakh investigations are carried out. Every year, doctors here perform about 15,000 major and minor surgeries. She said to meet the growing demand, the Institute must seek to modernize, upgrade and expand its existing infrastructure for enhanced disease diagnosis and patient care. At the same time, it should be the endeavour to make affordable healthcare available to the people.
The President said 'I am happy that you have looked beyond the concept of service to the immediate community, by utilizing modern technology for the establishment of a telemedicine centre'. She said this centre with the help of Indian Space Research Organization is connected to all reputed hospitals in the country and locally to district hospitals, providing consultation and exchange of expertise. She said mother and child care are key aspects of health care and every effort must be made to provide antenatal care to pregnant women and newborn care. There must be a special focus on health, nutrition and complete immunization of children. In this context, the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences will be setting up a 140 bed maternity hospital.
The President said the best health services can only be made available, if medical institutions keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the medical field. It is a matter of pride that the research work of several doctors of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences has been of a very high standard and has been published in international medical journals. These activities must continue so as to keep pace with the advances in scientific knowledge in medicine.
The President described the medical profession as a profession of giving and said it is a profession where for the patient a good doctor becomes not only an aid-giver but also a friend. It is for this spirit of giving, that several doctors who have trained here and also in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir have acquired a formidable reputation. She expressed hope that this will inspire many in the medical fraternity to serve the community better.
The President asked the young doctors to keep in mind that theirs is a noble profession and this convocation though may be the end of formal education but not of education and research, as it has been said that learning is a lifelong activity. She advised them to pursue the acquisition of knowledge throughout life and serve humanity. As doctors, wherever you go, faith and trust shall be reposed on you by your patients as well as their relatives. They will look to you with hope. Medicine is an intensely humane and personal endeavour and the doctor-patient relationship itself becomes part of the therapeutic process asking them to work to keep up this trust.
The President wished success to the Institute, all the students and young doctors who got their degrees today.
Governor Lt. General (Retd) S. K. Sinha, Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Water Resources Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Minister for Health and Medical Education Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma, Director and Vice Chancellor SKIMS Deemed University, Dr. Abdul Hameed Zargar, ministers, legislators, officers, academicians, faculty members and students were present. |
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