Chandigarh, February 29- Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal today said that taking the requirement of doctors in the state, we have increased the number of intake in medical colleges from 750 students per year to 1710. This year 1710 students were given admission in medical colleges of the state, whereas in 2014 when the BJP government formed, the intake capacity of all medical colleges was 750 seats every year.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the 7th annual convocation of SGT University, Budhera in district Gurugram today. He inaugurated the Convocation by lighting the traditional lamp. In today’s convocation, degrees were awarded to 172 students, including 137 MBBS, 21 MD or MS and 7 PhD degrees. Apart from these, two persons were awarded honorary PhD degrees. The Chief Minister also released a souvenir of the university.

In his address, Chief Minister Manohar Lal said that there is a great need for medical education in Haryana. According to international norms, there should be one doctor per 1000 population. The total population of Haryana is around 2.75 crores, meaning thereby, there should be 27500 doctors including doctors working in government hospitals and private hospitals. Currently there are about 13 thousand doctors. To meet the shortage of doctors in the state, the present BJP government has taken steps and increased the MBBS intake either by increasing the seats in existing medical colleges or opening new colleges. As a result, now there are 1710 seats in medical colleges here. Earlier, there were only 750 admissions every year. At the same time, the Chief Minister said that he desires to increase the number of intake to 2500 per year.

Referring to the Haryana budget presented in state Assembly on Friday, the Chief Minister said that while preparing the budget usually the Finance Minister is concerned about the CM's priorities. This time, since he is the Finance Minister in addition to being the Chief Minister but he also worried about the CM, that is, the ‘Common Man’ while preparing the budget. “ We should all worry about it”, he said. He asked the students that after passing out from the college, they should go in the society with a sense of service. He also reminded that in childhood, he used to hear lines - 'Come to learn, go to serve', they should practice that saying in real life.

Congratulating all the passing out students who obtained degrees in the convocation today, the Chief Minister said that the convocation is a special occasion when you leave the educational institution and take to work in the society or go for further higher education. He said that no matter where we live, always remember the institution that has made us able to serve. Shri Manohar Lal said, “wherever you go in the world during your lifetime, remember that we are from India, we are from Haryana and leave a mark of our rich culture there too”. He said that we should not forget our Almamater, where we studied and attained knowledge, never forget our family and also never forget ourselves. Describing this, Mr Manohar Lal said that 'not forgetting oneself' means that our behavior and values should also be good. We have to move ahead and rise to glory. You should come here as an alumni and also contribute in advancing your educational institution.

Earlier, Director of IIM Rohtak Dheeraj P. Sharma, while presiding over the function, told the students that integrity and ethical idealogy are important aspects for progressing in your career as your future will depend on your behavior. He called upon the students to work towards excellence and strive to achieve excellence. He said that the convocation is not the end but the beginning of a new journey in your life, that is why in some countries the convocation is called a ‘Commencement.’

In the Convocation, Dr. Sonia was awarded the Best Researcher Scientist of SGT University and Mohit was awarded Arun Jaitley Memorial Award.

On the occasion, Chancellor of the University Padmashree Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairperson Smt. Madhupreet Kaur Chawla, Managing Trustee Manmohan Singh Chawla, CEO Professor SR Musanna, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Gurupreet Singh Tuteja, Pro-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shyam Lal Singla, among others were also present among others.