The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the Golden Jubilee Convocation of Indira Gandhi Medical College today (June 3, 2016) in Shimla.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that for graduating students Convocation is the culmination of long years of academic work. He told them that while entering the new phase of life they should remember that the skill and knowledge they have acquired over the years will help them overcome future hurdles. He urged them to have commitment and a sense of responsibility towards the society and the country.

The President said that in our country the healthcare system faces a number of challenges. There is an urgent need to expand physical infrastructure in the health sector in order to ensure equitable and quality health care services to all. Nearly 75 percent of India’s population resides in rural areas. Therefore, doctors serving in rural areas is an important aspect which needs to be looked into collectively by both the Centre and State Governments. Further, he said that we require more nurses and para-medical staff to serve the huge population of our country. He advised the students to remember what the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi had said about being the change they wanted to see in the world. He also reiterated what Gandhiji had said about thinking about the welfare of the weakest and poorest person in order to arrive at correct decisions.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Shri Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.