Empowering Minds, Enriching Futures: A Decade of Educational Renaissance in Amrit Kaal

“Koi Mil Gaya, Mera Dil Gaya” – these iconic Bollywood lyrics from the movie “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” resonate deeply as we embark on a journey through the educational renaissance of Amrit Kaal. Just as this song celebrates the joy of unexpected encounters and new beginnings, so too does the narrative of India’s educational transformation over the past decade. From humble beginnings to soaring heights, the story of Amrit Kaal mirrors the spirit of resilience, growth, and boundless potential that defines our nation’s pursuit of excellence in education.

In the journey towards a brighter future, education stands as the cornerstone of progress. Over the past decade, India has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its educational infrastructure, ushering in an era of innovation, excellence, and inclusivity. From the establishment of premier institutions like AIIMS, IITs, IIMs, to the expansion of universities and skill development initiatives, the nation has embarked on a path towards holistic development. As we reflect on this journey, it becomes evident that the seeds sown in the Amrit Kaal have blossomed into a vibrant ecosystem of learning, poised to shape the destiny of generations to come.

The Era of Educational Renaissance , The vision for an educated and skilled India has been at the forefront of the government’s agenda, as reflected in initiatives like the Skill India Mission and the National Education Policy. Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation has witnessed a paradigm shift in its approach towards education, with a focus on fostering talent, nurturing creativity, and promoting innovation

Holistic Growth with Rise in Higher Education Institutions 3-fold increase in number of Universities/IITs/IIMs in last 9 years The government has taken significant measures to increase gateways to education for the youth by giving a boost to building Universities, IITs, IIMs, and similar institutions across the country. The number of universities in the nation has witnessed a significant rise in the last 9 years, up from 320 in 2014 to 1,113 in 2023. Furthermore, 5,298 colleges have been built in the last 9 years (up from 38,498 in 2014 to 43,796 in 2023), which has led to increased access to education for students across the country. It is noteworthy that 43% universities and 61.4% colleges are located in Rural Areas. Moreover, the government has also expanded the number of IITs and IIMs across the country. With 16 IITs and 13 IIMs built in the last 9 years, the government has ensured enhanced opportunities for students to pursue higher education

Graph As per Press Information Bureau

Overall, the progressive institutional structure has played a vital role in the development of India’s education system. Their focus on high-quality education, research and innovation has helped to position India as a global player in various fields.

The expansion of higher educational institutions, including IITs, IIMs, and universities, has democratized access to quality education across the country. From the hills of Himachal Pradesh to the plains of Tamil Nadu, these institutions have become symbols of excellence and opportunity. The inauguration of permanent campuses and the introduction of new courses reflect the government’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering intellectual growth.

“Transformative Milestones in India’s Healthcare Infrastructure: A Decade of Progress”

The inauguration of five new AIIMS across different states marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards universal healthcare. These state-of-the-art institutions, equipped with modern facilities and cutting-edge technology, are poised to revolutionize medical education, research, and patient care. The AIIMS in Rajkot(Gujarat), Bathinda(Punjab), Raebareli(Uttar Pradesh), Kalyani(West Bengal), and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh ) will not only address the healthcare needs of their respective regions but also serve as beacons of hope for millions.PM laid foundation stone of, and dedicated to the nation a total of 202 Health Care Infrastructure Projects worth more than Rs. 11,700 crores across 23 States and UTs.

Highlighting some major milestones achieved during the last 10 years, around 380 medical colleges in 2014, there are over 700 medical colleges today. PG and MBBS seats have more than doubled from 2014 and Jan AushadhiKendras have expanded to more than10,000 units today across the country.

Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) setting up of 22 new AIIMS has been sanctioned. This includes 10 AIIMS sanctioned during 2017-18 or thereafter. Six of the approved AIIMS i.e. Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh are functional. Remaining 16 new AIIMS are in various stages of construction.

State-wise location of these 16 AIIMS, date of their cabinet approval and approved cost is as below..

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Feb 02,2024

MBBS course has started in 12 AIIMS i.e AIIMS at Mangalagiri, Nagpur, Kalyani, Gorakhpur, Bathinda, Rae Bareli, Deoghar , Bibinagar, Guwahati, Bilaspur, Jammu and Rajkot.

The construction work is in progress for AIIMS, Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh. Initially, there was some delay due to non-availability of sand for construction work. There was also some delay in completion of activities to be undertaken by the State Government, which included arrangement of water supply, storm water disposal drain, main approach road to campus and shifting of existing NDRF campus. Covid-19 pandemic also affected the progress of work.

Progress of all the ongoing projects under PMSSY is regularly reviewed with Executing Agencies and other stakeholders with a view to ensure their completion in a time-bound manner.

Dedication of Medical College of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) at Karaikal, Puducherry and a 300-bedded Satellite Centre of Post Graduate Institute of Medical and Educational Research (PGIMER) in Sangrur, Punjab; a 90-bedded Multi Specialty Consulting Unit of JIPMER at Yanam, Puducherry; a National Centre for Ageing in Chennai; a new Government Medical College in Purnea, Bihar; 2 field units of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) namely, National Institute of Virology (NIV) Kerala Unit, at Alappuzha, Kerala and National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT): New Composite TB Research Facility, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu among others.

Foundation stone laying of various health projects including a 100-bedded Satellite Centre of PGIMER at Ferozpur, Punjab; a new Medical College building in RML Hospital, Delhi; one Critical Care Block in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal; Nursing Colleges at Koderma and Dumka in Jharkhand, among others.

Under the National Health Mission (NHM) and Prime Minister-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), the Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid foundation stone of 115 projects. These include 78 projects under PM-ABHIM. Of these, foundation stone was laid for 57 Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) with total amount of more than Rs. 1,625 Crore; 8 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) with total amount of Rs. 10 Crore and 4 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) with amount more than Rs. 3 Crore. In addition, 7 IPHLs with total amount more than Rs. 8 Crore and 9 BPHUs with amount more than Rs. 6 Crore were dedicated to the nation today.Under NHM, 29 projects (8 PHC, 16 CHC, 1 Model Hospital, 3 MCH wings 100 bedded and 1 District Warehouse) with amount more than Rs. 290 Crore were inaugurated/ dedicated to nation and foundation stone laid for 1 Transit Hostel for Medical Officers with amount of Rs. 1.98 Crore.

⦁ Inauguration of National Institute of Naturopathy named ‘Nisarg Gram’ at Pune, Maharashtra. It comprises one Naturopathy Medical College along with a 250-bedded hospital with Multi-disciplinary Research and Extension Centre.

⦁ Inauguration of Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy at Jhajjar, Haryana. It will have apex level Yoga and Naturopathy Research facilities.

⦁ Inauguration of 10 new Microbiology Laboratories established by the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) with a total cost of approximately Rs. 45 crores in State Food Testing Laboratories (SFTLs) across eight states – Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow, Meerut), Kerala (Ernakulum, Kozhikode), Maharashtra (Mumbai), Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Assam (Guwahati), Delhi (North West Delhi), Andhra Pradesh (Vishakhapatnam) and Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore). These laboratories will play a critical role in ensuring food safety by detecting various microorganisms, including pathogens in food products. 53 Mobile Testing Laboratories, known as Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) were also inaugurated in different States/UTs, which include Assam (17), Andhra Pradesh (4), Chandigarh (1), Himachal Pradesh (3), Jammu & Kashmir (6), Meghalaya (2), Uttar Pradesh (18) and Uttarakhand (2).

India’s healthcare landscape has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, marked by unprecedented growth in infrastructure, the implementation of key initiatives, and the promotion of holistic healthcare practices. These achievements reflect a steadfast commitment to advancing healthcare accessibility, quality, and safety for all citizens.

Furthermore, the initiation of OPD services and the commencement of MBBS courses in several AIIMS highlight the tangible progress achieved in enhancing healthcare services across regions. As these institutions become fully operational, they are poised to significantly contribute to medical education, research, and patient care, ultimately advancing the nation’s healthcare landscape.

Overall, the concerted efforts and investments made in establishing AIIMS under PMSSY exemplify India’s commitment to achieving universal healthcare and improving health outcomes for its citizens.

Conclusion:

The narrative of India’s educational renaissance in the Amrit Kaal is akin to a captivating Bollywood saga, where every twist and turn unfolds a story of resilience, growth, and boundless potential. Over the past decade, India has witnessed a transformative journey in its educational landscape, marked by innovation, excellence, and inclusivity.

From the inception of pioneering initiatives like the Skill India Mission and the National Education Policy to the establishment and expansion of premier educational institutions, the nation has embarked on a path towards holistic development. The rise in the number of universities, IITs, IIMs, and colleges reflects a concerted effort to democratize access to quality education across regions, fostering talent and nurturing creativity.

As we reflect on the achievements of the Amrit Kaal, it becomes evident that the seeds of progress sown during this period have blossomed into a vibrant ecosystem of learning, poised to shape the destiny of generations to come. The dedication of stakeholders, policymakers, and visionaries has laid a strong foundation for a knowledge-driven society, where every individual has the opportunity to realize their full potential.

As we turn the page to a new chapter in India’s educational journey, let us embrace the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. Together, we shall script a story of success and prosperity, empowering minds and enriching futures for a brighter tomorrow.

In this era of limitless possibilities, embrace the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, and together, we shall script a story of success and prosperity for generations to come.