 One of them, I consider it my great privilege and honor to deliver the welcome address at this thirty-third convocation of the Tamil Nadu Doctor MGR Medical University. This is truly a historic moment. For the first time in the history of this university, thirty-three years after its establishment, the students and the teachers have the fortune of having the Honorable Prime Minister of India as the Chief Guest. Thank you very much sir. Convocation is something special, a sort of one and only moment in the life of any student, particularly the student of a medical university. And when the Honorable Prime Minister himself is the Chief Guest and delivers the Convocation address, pride and privilege are multiplied several times and it is a dream come true. We are very fortunate to have our visionary Prime Minister addressing us today. I am sure his words of wisdom will not only guide the graduates but also the university to scale great heights. A total of 21,889 graduates will receive their degrees today. Of these 3,536 candidates are at the postdoctoral, doctoral and postgraduate levels. Due to the COVID pandemic situation, the university is not in a position to have all the candidates in person to hold a mega ceremony as both the grandeur of the occasion and the stature of the Chief Guest do warrant. As the Tamil adage says, 34 nodal centres, each with a compliment of faculty and students are digitally connected to participate. Apart from these 34 centres, uplinks have been established for the 21,000 and odd candidates, their Kithankin, the 680 and odd institutions, their staff and students and other members of the medical fraternity. Our Prime Minister has given us a new vision and a new mission of Atmanar Bharat. If Bharat has to become Atmanar Bharat, the medical and paramedical fraternity has a major role to play. Lack of access to education and in a larger contribution, lack of access to health services are the two biggest causes of vulnerability. Hence, we have a major role to play in improving the health of the people, reducing our vulnerabilities to diseases and pandemics and thus make India self-sufficient. I extend a very hearty welcome to the Honourable Prime Minister on my personal behalf, on behalf of the university and on behalf of the entire medical and paramedical fraternity of Tamil Nadu. The Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu has always been a pillar of support to all good things. I welcome the Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu and the Chancellor of this Tamil Nadu, Dr. MGR Medical University. I take this opportunity to welcome the ever-dynamic Honourable Minister for Health and Family Welfare, the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Pro-Chancellor of this university. I welcome the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu. I welcome the former Vice-Chancellors of this university, the Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary Sciences University, all the esteemed guests, the members of the governing council and Senate of the university, the chairman, presidents and both members of the various faculties and boards of studies, the members of the various authorities of the university, the graduates, parents, management staff and students of all the affiliated institutions and the viewers present at the nodal and remote locations. All of us are waiting eagerly to hear the Honourable Prime Minister of India. I once again welcome the Honourable Prime Minister of India. I invite the Chief Guest, Honourable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, to deliver the Convocation address. Welcome, Governor of Tamil Nadu and Chancellor of this university, Sri Banwarilal Porohiji, Vice-Chancellor Sudha Srisayanji, faculty, staff and my dear students. It gives me great pleasure to be with you as you mark the 33rd Convocation of this university when you are earning degrees and diplomas in various medical, dental, house and paramedical disciplines. I have been told that more than 21,000 candidates are being confirmed with the degree and diplomas today. But there was one fact I want to especially mention. The numbers indicate that around 30 percent are men and 70 percent are women as I congratulate all the graduates. I also convey my special appreciation to the women candidates. It is always special to see women leading from the front in every field, any field. When this happens, it is a moment of pride and a moment of joy. Friends, the success of you all and this institution would have made the great MGR very happy. His governance was full of compassion toward the poor, the subjects of healthcare, education and empowerment of women were dear to him. A few years ago, I had been to Sri Lanka where MGR was born. India is honored to be working for our Tamil sisters and brothers in Sri Lanka in the health sector. A few ambulance services financed by India is being widely used by the Tamil community. I can never forget the inauguration ceremony of hospital at Dikoya. This is a modern hospital that will help many these efforts in healthcare and that too for the Tamil community would have made MGR happy. Students, friends, this is the time when you will transition from one important phase of your life to another. This is the time when you will transition from learning to healing. This is the time when you will transition from earning marks in your exams to making a mark in society. Friends, the COVID-19 pandemic was a completely unexpected occurrence for the world. There was no preset formula for anything. In such a time, India had not only made a new path, but also helped others walk with it. India has among the lowest death rates. Recovery rates are high. India is producing medicines for the world and making vaccines for the world. You are graduating at a time when there is a great aspirations and respect for Indian medical professionals, scientists, and pharma professionals. Overall, the Indian health ecosystem is being seen with new eyes, new respect, and new credibility. However, this also means that the world will have greater expectation from you which each are responsible on your young and strong soldiers. The learning from the pandemic can help us fight other diseases like TB as well. Friends, Tiruvallu was saying the ailing, the doctor, the medicine, and the caregiver, the treatment covers all these four. Throughout the pandemic and in the middle of disruption, each of these four pillars were at the forefront of fighting the war with the unknown enemy. All those who fought the virus emerged as the heroes of humanity. Friends, we are transforming the entire medical education and healthcare sector. The National Medical Commission will bring great transparency. It will also rationalize norms to set up new medical colleges. It will also improve the quality and availability of human resources in this sector. During the last six years, MBBS seeds increased by more than 30,000 which is a rise of more than 50% from 2014. The numbers of PG seeds increased by 24,000 which is a rise of around 80% from 2014. In 2014, there were six aims in the country. In the last six years, we have approved 15 more aims across the country. Tamil Nadu has been known for its medical education to further help our youth from the state. Our government has permitted the establishment of 11 new medical colleges in the state. These new medical colleges will be established in those districts which currently do not have a medical college. For each of these colleges, the government of India will give more than 2,000 crore rupees. We have announced the PM, Atman Dhirbhar Swastha Bharat Yojana with an outlay of more than 64,000 crore rupees in the budget. This will boost capacities of primary, secondary and tertiary health care to clear to detection and cure of new emerging diseases. Our Ayushman Bharat is the world's largest health insurance program to provide quality care to 50 crore people for about 1,600 medical and surgical procedures. Journal of Saudi Khandras have been expanded in number to more than 7,000 providing medicines at much cheaper rates. Medical devices like stands and knee implants have been made much cheaper in our country helping crores of needy. Friends, doctors are among the most respected professionals in our country. Today, after the pandemic, this respect has gone up even more. This respect is because people know the seriousness of your profession where many times it is literally a life and date question to someone. However, too serious and to look serious are two different things. I request to all of you to still keep your sense of humor intact. It will also help you cheer up your patients and keep their moral high. I have seen some doctors who are excellent at their job but also light up the hospitals surrounding with their humorous conversations with patients and even with the staff. This also gives the people hope which is crucial in recovery. Keeping your sense of humor healthy will also help in taking care of your own physical and mental health in such a high pressure profession. You are the people who take care of the nation's health and you can do so only if you concentrate upon your health and fitness as well. Yoga, meditation, running, cycling, choose some fitness regimen which also helps your own well-being. Friends, see Ramakrishna Paramahams, the Guru of Swami Vivekananda, used to say Shiva Jnana, Jiva Shiva which means serving people is the same as serving Shiva or God. If there is someone who has the greatest opportunity to literally leave this noble ideal, it is medical professionals. In your long careers grow professionally and at the same time never forget your own growth, rise above self-interest. Doing so will make you fearless friends. Congratulations once again to those who have got the degree when with these words I conclude my address and wish you all a purposeful, wonderful and challenging career in this existing sector. Thank you, thank you very much, wanna come.