The Hindu : National : Take care of the mentally challenged children, President Kalam tells doctors

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Saturday, Jul 02, 2005

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Take care of the mentally challenged children, President Kalam tells doctors

Dr. B.C. Roy National Awards for 2003-04 conferred on 35 doctors

HONOURED: Some of the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award winners 2003-04 with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at a function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. Mr. Justice G.N. Ray (left), one of the award committee members, and Dr. T.V. Devarajan (second from left), senior consultant physician, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai and Professor of Medicine, Arupadaiveedu Medical College, Kirumambakkam, Pondicherry, are also seen. — Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

NEW DELHI: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam conferred the prestigious Dr. B.C. Roy National Awards for 2003-04 on 35 doctors at a glittering ceremony at Rastrapati Bhavan's Ashoka Hall here on Friday.

The award, instituted under the aegis of the Medical Council of India, honours eminent persons who have achieved distinction in the area of medicine. The award carries a cash prize, a silver salver and a certificate of appreciation.

Important virtue

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kalam reminded doctors that righteousness was an important virtue. "Righteousness is important in whatever we do, be it social life or politics. Virtue is an integral part of making a strong family, nation and world. It is important that we build a strong foundation to work upon.''

The President also called upon the doctors and researchers to work towards bettering the condition of mentally challenged children.

AIDS vaccine

"We are working towards improving the condition of the children and we are hopeful of getting some good results in the next two years. Work also needs to be done in the area of developing vaccination for AIDS which is infecting a lot of Indians,'' said Dr. Kalam in his 10-minute address.

Prominent awardees

Prominent among those who received the award included Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore; T.V. Devarajan, senior consultant physician, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, and professor of medicine, Arupadaiveedu Medical College Kirumambakkam, Pondicherry; R. R. Kasliwal, director (cardiology), Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, Delhi; Deokant Choudhary, former professor of surgery, Patna; and Purshotam Lal, director (interventional cardiology), Metro Hospitals and Heart Institute.

The two women awardees are N. D. Motashaw, consulting obstetrician and gynaecologist, Mumbai; and Vinod Kochupillai, professor and head of medical oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

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