Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan attended the third convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur on 2 September 2026. Speaking to the graduating students, he described the institution as a symbol of Chhattisgarh’s transformation from a region affected by Left-Wing Extremism to one marked by development and opportunity. The Vice President said the institute represents how healthcare and medical education are now reaching central India and rural communities that previously faced barriers to such services.
What the Vice President highlighted
AIIMS Raipur, established in 2012, has grown into a major tertiary-care hospital serving Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states, including tribal areas. The Vice President noted the institute’s achievements in advanced medical procedures. These include Chhattisgarh’s first swap kidney transplant, a kidney transplantation success rate above 95 per cent, renal and corneal transplants, and ear implants. An approval for a heart-transplant programme was flagged as another significant milestone.
The Vice President attributed Chhattisgarh’s transformation to strong political leadership, firm security measures and development-focused governance. He noted that areas once marked by violence are now being identified with roads, schools, hospitals, connectivity and investment opportunities. At the convocation, 376 women and 313 men received degrees.
Speaking more broadly, the Vice President emphasised that balanced development across all states, districts and villages is necessary for the national vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. He highlighted growth in higher education access over the past twelve years, pointing out that women’s participation in higher education increased from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.24 crore in 2023-24—a rise of 42.2 per cent.
What this means for you
If you live in central India or rural Chhattisgarh, advanced medical facilities and treatment options are becoming more accessible without needing to travel to major metros. Medical graduates entering the profession are being asked to carry the responsibility of serving communities that previously had limited access to quality healthcare. The expansion of higher education and medical institutions like AIIMS in tier-two regions means more opportunities for students in non-metro areas to pursue advanced degrees close to home.