Second Phase of Amrit Kaal Brings Opportunity and Responsibility for Youth: J.P. Nadda

FARIDABAD: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday said the second phase of Amrit Kaal offers immense opportunities along with significant responsibilities for the youth, calling on graduating students to contribute meaningfully to national development as India moves towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Addressing the Convocation Ceremony 2025–26 of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, Jagat Prakash Nadda described the convocation as a defining milestone that marks not only the completion of academic life but also the beginning of a lifelong responsibility towards society and the nation. He urged students to move forward with strong values, ethical conduct and a spirit of public service.

Highlighting progress in the health sector over the last eleven years, Jagat Prakash Nadda said the number of AIIMS has increased from six to 23, strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure. He noted that institutional deliveries have risen from 78 percent to 89 percent, while the Maternal Mortality Ratio and Infant Mortality Rate have declined at nearly three times the global average.

Referring to disease control efforts, he said India’s tuberculosis decline rate is now twice the global average, a progress recognised by the World Health Organization. He added that malaria-related deaths have been reduced to 0.6 percent despite India accounting for nearly one-sixth of the world’s population. Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda also pointed out that out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure has dropped sharply from 62 percent to 39.4 percent, driven by initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and large-scale population screening programmes.

Calling upon students to balance quality with scale in service delivery, the Union Minister acknowledged the role of parents, faculty members and institutional leadership in shaping the graduates. He exhorted students to give back to the society that enabled their success.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Prashant Bhalla, Chancellor, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies and Manav Rachna University, congratulated the graduating students and reiterated the institution’s focus on academic excellence, innovation, industry collaboration and global exposure, while remaining rooted in ethical values.

During the convocation, Honoris Causa degrees were conferred on Justice Gita Mittal; Ms. Shreyasi Singh, Sports Minister of Bihar; Dr. Anil Kumar J. Nayak, National President, Indian Medical Association; and H.E. Dr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Malta.

A total of 2,150 students from engineering, management, law, education, sciences and healthcare disciplines were awarded degrees, including undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral scholars. Meritorious students were also honoured with gold medals and academic awards. Senior dignitaries, faculty members, parents and students attended the ceremony.