“The spirit of medical science must always be anchored in ethics. In an age where technology can outpace morality, where commercial pressures can blur the line between service and profit, your integrity will be your compass,” said Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana, delivering the Convocation Address at the 65th Convocation of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), hosted by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, today.
The event marked a moment of pride and reflection in India’s medical academic journey, bringing together approximately 300 leading physicians, researchers, and academicians to celebrate knowledge, excellence, and service to humanity. Prof. Ghosh graced the ceremony as Chief Guest, with Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, as Guest of Honour. Dr. Digambar Behera, President, NAMS (India), alongwith Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, Dr. Radha Kanta Ratho, Dean (Academics), PGIMER, Chandigarh, senior faculty, and NAMS Fellows and Members from across the country.
Congratulating the new Fellows and Members, Prof. Ghosh urged them to uphold compassion and conscience as the bedrock of their profession. “Every prescription you write, every diagnosis you make, and every experiment you conduct must be guided by your moral compass,” he said. Lauding NAMS as “the moral and academic conscience of India’s medical fraternity,” he reminded the gathering that the physician’s duty extends beyond science to service, humility, and empathy.
“Medicine,” he said, “is not merely a science of curing the body but a dialogue with the human soul. It demands intellect guided by empathy and progress rooted in ethics.” Calling for holistic medical education, he urged doctors to see patients not as cases but as lives filled with dignity and hope. “Every consultation is an act of trust. Every patient we serve is a teacher. Medicine, in its highest form, is a moral art.” He concluded with a timeless appeal: “The white coat is not a symbol of privilege but of service. Wear it with humility and let every heartbeat you heal remind you of your duty to humanity.”
Addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour, Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul commended NAMS for six decades of uniting medical excellence with social responsibility. He emphasized that the journey to Viksit Bharat 2047 must begin with a Swasth Bharat, observing, “Health is the true engine of development. A healthy nation builds human capital, drives productivity, and sustains progress.”
He urged NAMS to evolve as a dynamic think tank for healthcare policy and innovation. “NAMS must become a hub for actionable research and policy insights shaping the future of Indian medicine,” he said. Dr. Paul announced a renewed focus on strengthening organ transplantation across government medical colleges: “Every citizen deserves access to life-saving transplants. Let us resolve that within three years, fifty kidney and twenty liver transplant teams will be created in public institutions.”
Highlighting the importance of Family Medicine as the backbone of healthcare, Dr. Paul stated, “While specialization has advanced, we must not lose sight of general practice. Family medicine ensures continuity of care from childhood to old age.” He also underlined the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence, urging NAMS to lead indigenous, ethical innovations. “India must not remain a consumer of AI but emerge as its creator — developing patient-centric solutions that serve humanity.” Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he concluded, “All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Let us channel that power toward realizing a healthy, equitable Bharat.”
In his Presidential Address, Dr. Digambar Behera, President, NAMS (India), reflected on the Academy’s illustrious journey since its inception in 1961. “This Convocation is both a celebration of excellence and a reaffirmation of our mission to advance medical education, research, and policy for national welfare,” he said. Tracing the growing trajectory of NAMS, Dr Behera highlighted that the Academy today has over 1,100 Fellows, including two Bharat Ratnas, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 53 Padma Shri awardees.
He reiterated that NAMS continues to serve as the conscience-keeper of Indian medicine, shaping public health policy and nurturing future leaders through initiatives such as Navigate for postgraduate mentorship, research fellowships, and the Annals of the National Academy journal. “As we move toward Viksit Bharat 2047,” he affirmed, “the Academy will continue to integrate science with service, ensuring that knowledge forever serves humanity.”
Earlier, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, expressed immense pride in PGIMER hosting this landmark convocation, describing it as a moment of collective achievement for the institute and the nation.
Prof. Lal highlighted PGIMER’s pivotal role in advancing equitable healthcare, with over 70% of admissions under Ayushman Bharat, and free kidney, heart, and knee transplants for eligible patients.
“Every rupee we receive, we convert into many more for the benefit of society. For every five lakhs invested, we return fifty lakhs’ worth of care to the community. That is the power of compassion, efficiency, and dedication.,” he said, underscoring the Institute’s compassion-driven efficiency. “PGI has come of age — strong, responsive, and ready to serve the nation in every crisis. We remain steadfast in our commitment to service, knowledge, and humanity.”
This year’s Convocation marked a significant milestone with the conferment of Fellowship upon 45 distinguished academicians, Membership to 100 accomplished professionals, and Associate Fellowship to 14 emerging leaders in the field of medicine and allied sciences. The ceremony also celebrated the contributions of three eminent women scientists, whose exemplary achievements have advanced the frontiers of healthcare research, and seven Professors Emeritus, honoured for their lifelong dedication to teaching, innovation, and public service. Together, these inductees embody the Academy’s enduring mission to recognize excellence, inspire future generations, and uphold the highest ideals of medical science in service of the nation.
The Convocation opened with a grand academic procession led by the President and office bearers of NAMS, symbolizing the continuity of India’s scholarly tradition. Newly elected Fellows and Members were conferred with scrolls, recognizing their contributions to education, research, and clinical excellence. The solemn oath-taking ceremony reaffirmed professional ethics and the timeless bond between science and service.
The 65th Convocation of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) thus stood as a testament to India’s enduring commitment to blend science with service, innovation with empathy, and knowledge with purpose — ideals that define both NAMS and PGIMER.