PM Modi launches 11 medical colleges in TN: Read full text of his speech
New Delhi, Jan 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 11 government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and said the future will belong to societies that invest in healthcare.
Here is the full text of PM Modi's speech:
Today we are meeting for two special reasons: The inauguration of 11 medical colleges. And The inauguration of the new building of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil. Thus, we are furthering the health of our society and making the connect with our culture stronger.
Friends,
Medical
education
is
one
of
the
most
desired
streams
for
studies.
The
problem
of
shortage
of
doctors
in
India
was
well-known.
But
there
were
not
enough
efforts
to
address
this
problem.
Perhaps
vested
interests
also
did
not
let
previous
governments
take
the
right
decisions.
And,
access
to
medical
education
remained
an
issue.
Ever
since
we
have
taken
office,
our
Government
has
worked
to
address
this
gap.
In
2014,
our
country
had
387
medical
colleges.
In
last
seven
years
only,
this
number
has
gone
up
to
596
medical
colleges.
This
is
an
increase
of
54
percent.
In
2014,
our
country
had
around
82
thousand
medical
Under
Graduate
and
Post
Graduate
seats.
In
last
seven
years,
this
number
has
gone
up
to
around
1
lakh
48
thousand
seats.
This
is
an
increase
of
about
80
percent.
In
2014,
there
were
only
seven
AIIMS
in
the
country.
But
after
2014,
the
number
of
AIIMS
approved
has
increased
to
twenty
two.
At
the
same
time,
various
reforms
have
been
under-taken
to
make
the
medical
education
sector
more
transparent.
Regulations
for
setting
up
medical
colleges
and
hospitals
have
been
liberalised
without
compromising
on
quality.
Friends,
I
am
told
that
this
would
be
the
first
time
that
11
medical
colleges
are
being
inaugurated
at
one
stroke
located
in
any
one
State.
Just
few
days
back,
I
had
inaugurated
9
medical
colleges
at
the
same
time
in
Uttar
Pradesh.
So,
I
am
getting
to
break
my
own
record.
It
is
important
to
address
regional
imbalances.
In
that
light,
it
is
good
to
see
2
of
the
medical
colleges
inaugurated
are
in
the
aspirational
districts
of
Ramanathapuram
and
Virudhunagar.
These
are
districts
where
the
development
needs
require
special
attention.
One
college
is
in
the
remote
hilly
district
of
the
Nilgiris.
Friends,
The
once
in
a
lifetime
COVID-19
pandemic
has
re-affirmed
the
importance
of
the
health
sector.
The
future
will
belong
to
societies
which
invest
in
healthcare.
The
Government
of
India
has
brought
many
reforms
in
the
sector.
Thanks
to
Ayushman
Bharat,
the
poor
have
access
to
top
quality
and
affordable
healthcare.
The
cost
of
knee
implants
and
stents
have
become
one
third
of
what
it
was.
PM-Jan
Aushadhi
Yojana
has
brought
about
a
revolution
in
access
to
affordable
medicines.
There
are
over
8000
such
stores
in
India.
This
scheme
has
particularly
helped
the
poor
and
the
middle
class.
The
money
spent
on
medicines
has
come
down
greatly.
To
further
healthy
lifestyle
among
women,
sanitary
napkins
are
being
provided
at
a
cost
of
1
Rupee.
I
would
urge
the
people
of
Tamil
Nadu
to
take
full
advantage
of
this
scheme.
The
Pradhan
Mantri
Ayushman
Bharat
Infrastructure
Mission
aims
to
address
the
critical
gaps
in
health
infrastructure
and
health
research
especially
at
District
level.
A
support
of
over
Rupees
three
thousand
crore
would
be
provided
to
Tamil
Nadu
in
the
next
five
years.
This
will
help
in
establishing
Urban
Health
&
Wellness
Centres,
District
Public
Health
labs
and
Critical
Care
Blocks
across
the
state.
The
benefits
of
this
for
the
people
of
Tamil
Nadu
will
be
immense.
Friends,
In
the
coming
years
I
envision
India
as
being
the
go-to
destination
for
quality
and
affordable
care.
India
has
everything
needed
to
be
a
hub
for
medical
tourism.
I
say
this
based
on
the
skills
of
our
doctors.
I
urge
the
medical
fraternity
to
look
at
tele-medicine
as
well.
Today,
the
world
has
also
taken
note
of
Indian
practices
that
further
wellness.
This
includes
Yoga,
Ayurveda
and
Siddha.
We
are
working
to
make
these
popular
in
a
language
the
world
understands.
Friends,
The
new
building
of
the
Central
Institute
of
Classical
Tamil
will
make
Tamil
studies
more
popular.
It
will
also
give
a
wider
canvas
to
students
and
researchers.
I
am
told
that
the
Central
Institute
of
Classical
Tamil
intends
to
translate
Tirukkural
in
various
Indian
and
foreign
languages.
This
is
a
good
step.
I
have
always
been
fascinated
by
the
richness
of
the
Tamil
language
and
culture.
One
of
the
happiest
moments
of
my
life
was
when
I
got
a
chance
to
speak
a
few
words
in
the
world's
oldest
language,
Tamil,
at
the
United
Nations.
The
Sangam
classics
are
our
window
to
the
rich
society
and
culture
of
the
ancient
times.
Our
Government
also
had
the
honour
of
setting
up
'Subramania
Bharati
Chair' on
Tamil
Studies
at
Banaras
Hindu
University.
Located
in
my
Parliamentary
constituency,
this
will
drive
greater
curiosity
about
Tamil.
When
I
launched
a
translation
of
Thirukkural
in
Gujarati,
I
knew
that
the
rich
thoughts
of
this
timeless
work
would
connect
with
the
people
of
Gujarat
and
drive
greater
interest
in
ancient
Tamil
literature.
Friends,
We
have
given
great
emphasis
on
promotion
of
Indian
languages
and
Indian
Knowledge
Systems
in
our
National
Education
Policy
2020.
Tamil
can
now
be
studied
as
a
classical
language
in
school
education
at
the
secondary
level
or
middle
level.
Tamil
is
one
of
the
languages
in
the
Bhasha-Sangam
where
school
students
get
familiar
with
100
sentences
in
various
Indian
languages
in
audio,
videos.
Largest
e-content
of
Tamil
has
been
digitized
under
the
Bharatavani
project.
Friends,
We
are
encouraging
education
in
mother
tongue
and
local
languages
at
schools.
Our
Government
has
also
started
making
technical
courses
like
Engineering
available
to
students
in
Indian
languages.
Tamil
Nadu
has
produced
many
bright
Engineers.
Many
of
them
have
become
top
global
technology
and
business
leaders.
I
call
upon
this
talented
Tamil
diaspora
to
help
develop
Tamil
language
content
in
STEM
courses.
We
are
also
developing
an
Artificial
intelligence
based
language
translation
tool
to
translate
English
language
online
courses
into
twelve
different
Indian
languages
including
Tamil.
Friends,
India's
diversity
is
our
strength.
Ek
Bharat
Shreshtha
Bharat
seeks
to
enhance
the
spirit
of
unity
in
diversity
and
bring
our
people
closer.
When
a
young
child
in
Haridwar
sees
a
Thiruvalluvar
statue
and
finds
out
about
his
greatness,
a
seed
of
Ek
Bharat
Shreshtha
Bharat
is
laid
in
a
young
mind.
A
similar
spirit
is
seen
when
a
child
from
Haryana
visits
the
rock
memorial
at
Kanyakumari.
When
children
from
Tamil
Nadu
or
Kerala
learn
about
Veer
Baal
Divas,
they
get
connected
with
the
life
and
message
of
the
Sahibzades.
The
great
sons
of
this
soil
who
sacrificed
their
lives
but
never
compromised
on
their
ideals.
Let
us
make
efforts
to
discover
other
cultures.
I
assure
you
that
you
will
enjoy
it.
Friends,
Before
I
conclude,
I
would
like
to
request
you
all
to
follow
all
COVID-19
related
protocols
particularly
mask
discipline.
India's
vaccination
drive
is
making
remarkable
progress.
In
the
last
few
days,
youngsters
in
the
15
to
18
category
have
begun
to
get
their
doses.
The
precaution
dose
for
the
elderly
and
healthcare
workers
have
begun
too.
I
urge
all
those
who
are
eligible
to
get
vaccinated.
Guided by the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas, all of us have to work together to bring a positive change in the lives of 135 crore Indians. Learning from the pandemic we keep working to ensure inclusive and quality healthcare services to all our countrymen. We need to learn from our rich culture and build the foundations of Amrit Kaal for the future generations to come. Best wishes once again to all on the occasion of Pongal. May it bring peace and prosperity to all of us.
Vanakkam.
Thank
you.