“What was once a dream is today a gift for seven crore people: CM Yogi on AIIMS Gorakhpur”

“Had to fight from the streets to Parliament for AIIMS: CM Yogi”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addresses first convocation of AIIMS Gorakhpur

“As CM, my first action was to transfer land for AIIMS”: Yogi Adityanath

Gorakhpur : “Once considered an unattainable dream, the AIIMS in Gorakhpur now stands as a beacon of advanced healthcare for the entire region,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday. He highlighted that what was unimaginable before 2014 has today become a lifeline for over 5 crore people directly and nearly 7 crore indirectly, spanning Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Northwestern Bihar, and parts of Nepal.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the first convocation ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Gorakhpur. Welcoming President Droupadi Murmu, the Chief Guest at the event, CM Yogi recalled the long struggle for the establishment of AIIMS Gorakhpur. He said, “What once seemed like a distant dream has now blossomed into a banyan tree. I am the only person on this convocation stage who has witnessed this journey from seed to tree.”

Recalling the arduous journey behind the project, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said he personally witnessed the struggle and led the fight—from the streets to the Parliament—for the establishment of AIIMS in Gorakhpur. He noted that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation in 2016, acquiring land remained a major hurdle. “After taking office in March 2017, the first decision I took was to transfer the required land for AIIMS Gorakhpur. Once that was done, construction gained momentum, and in 2021, the institute was inaugurated by PM Modi,” he said.

Emphasising his emotional connection to the institution, CM Yogi said, “When the first MBBS batch was admitted to AIIMS in 2019, I personally came to interact with the students.”

The Chief Minister said that before the establishment of AIIMS Gorakhpur, there was no major healthcare centre between Patna and Lucknow that could cater to the bordering regions of eastern Uttar Pradesh, northwestern Bihar, and Nepal. “Today, we are witnessing the realization of that long-standing dream,” he said.

He noted that DM courses have commenced at AIIMS Gorakhpur, alongside undergraduate, super-specialty, and nursing education. The establishment of this institution has ushered in a new era of quality healthcare and education in the region.

CM Yogi urged the first graduating batch of doctors to conduct detailed case studies on encephalitis, a disease that had long terrorized eastern Uttar Pradesh. “One of the key objectives behind the setting up of AIIMS in Gorakhpur was to provide a reliable centre for the treatment of encephalitis. I believe the graduating doctors today must feel a deep sense of pride that the very disease which once caused widespread panic is now under control.”

He reminded the audience of the dire conditions from eight years ago, when encephalitis cases surged in July and August, leading to overcrowded wards at BRD Medical College, with up to four patients per bed and no fans. “You can imagine the plight of patients and their families back then.”

The Chief Minister acknowledged that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, two crucial institutions were established in the region to combat this: the Regional Medical Research Centre within the BRD Medical College campus and AIIMS Gorakhpur. He encouraged students to study how the disease was eradicated and suggested they seek assistance from Dr. Mahima Mittal, who played a key role in the eradication efforts.

Encouraging doctors and medical students, CM Yogi said, “The future belongs to research and development. The more patients you examine and the more you understand their social and geographical backgrounds, the better your research will be.” He advised the newly graduated doctors to approach their careers with a fresh perspective, saying, “Your real journey begins now. Prepare yourselves for the challenges ahead—the world is open before you.”

The Chief Minister noted that just eight years ago, BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur was the only medical college in the region. Today, almost every district has its own medical college. In addition to Gorakhpur, there are now medical colleges in Deoria, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Basti, Siddharthnagar, Azamgarh, Gonda, Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Ghazipur, and Chandauli. He further announced that a new medical college is also being planned in Ballia.

Welcoming President Droupadi Murmu to ‘Goraksha Bhoomi,’ CM Yogi described Gorakhpur as one of the most prominent spiritual centres in India’s Sanatan tradition since ancient times. “It was here that Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath illuminated this sacred land with his penance centuries ago, and today the world knows this place as Gorakhpur,” he said.

The spiritual energy of Gorakhpur, the CM continued, has radiated across the globe since ancient times. Several of India’s major Buddhist pilgrimage sites surround the city. Mahatma Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar, just 50 km away; his birthplace Lumbini is 90 km from here. Ayodhya, the spiritual epicentre of the Sanatan tradition, is a 1.5-hour drive, while Kashi is only 2.5 hours away.

Despite this rich cultural and spiritual heritage, the region suffered from educational, health, and economic backwardness. However, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership since 2014, significant efforts have been made to overcome these challenges, CM Yogi said.