National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, celebrated its 19th Convocation on 18th Feb 2015. This was a special day as the Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri.Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest for the event. During the convocation, 107 students received degrees in person and 23 in absentia. Among them were 27 research scholars who were presented with Ph.D. The other guests for the evening included Union Health Minister Shri. Jagat Prakash Nadda, Chief Minsiter of Karnataka, Shri.Siddaramaiah, Mr.Ananth Kumar,Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Governemnt of India, Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, Governor of Karnataka, Shri. D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Minister of Railways Government of India and Dr. Sharanaparakash Rudrappa Patil, Minister for Medical Education ,Government of Karnataka.
Prof. P. Satish Chandra, Director & Vice- Chancellor, NIMHANS welcomed the gathering and gave a report of the NIMHANS activities. It was also on this day that Shri. Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime Minister of India inaugurated the MR-PET to the nation.
Shri. Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union health minister Government of India and President, NIMHANS declared the convocation open and addressed the gathering comprising of Director, Institute Body members, Chief Guest, Vice-President, Past directors and faculty, faculty and staff of NIMHANS, students and family members. Speaking at the occasion, he said the government would soon introduce a new mental health bill to replace the existing Mental Health Act, 1987.
The special guest for the evening Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri.Narendra Modi delivered the convocation address. He urged the fresh graduates to always attempt to live and work for the benefit of the poor and underprivileged sections of society. He said this was the way to find inner happiness - Swantah Sukhaaye. Apart from hard work, he asked the graduating students to remember people who might have contributed to their success and to treat patients with empathy.
The convocation ended with Shri. Jagat Prakash Nadda, Honourable Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Gov