New set of students at KAP College vow to serve in rural areas

Aug 2, 2013, 01.24AM IST TNN




TRICHY: It was a new beginning for students of the K A P Viswanatham Government Medical College (KAPVGMC), as they stepped into the college portals for the first time after gaining admission into the 15th batch of the MBBS course, which commenced on Thursday. As part of this, the students pledged to dedicate their noble service to the rural service.

A total of 85 students enrolled into the MBBS course under the state merit quota. Of the total 100 seats, the 15 seats are reserved for national quota. The first day of the college for these students was marked by a function to welcome the freshers. Dr MA Aleem, vice-principal of this college presided over the event and advised the students to minimize the use of mobile phone and maximize their period of study as well as to make use of library.

In an interaction with few students, it was found that most of them were first-generation medicine students. It showed that not only the children of doctors but also others too win the race to become future doctors. B Sowmya, a student from Dindigul, who is a first medicine student in her family told TOI, "It was my grandparents' wish to produce a doctor in our family. And, I was also determined to become a doctor in a Government College. With the support of my father L Boomirajan, a farmer and my mother V Santhanalakshmi, I achieved this feat. After successful completion of my course, I would dedicate my service to the rural people."

Another first generation medicine student K Kaviya from Peravoorani in Thanjavur district also echoed the same view. "It was my lifetime aim to serve the rural people. I have felt the difficulties of rural people in getting quality medical treatment. I want to serve them to prove that it is a noble profession," Kaviya said, whose father is working as a tailor abroad.

Asked whether they would have joined medicine if they had not secured a seat in a government college, the students said 'no'.

In addition to the 100 seats, the Medical Council of India has approved to increase the number of seats to 150 from this year. So, the counselling for rest of the seats will be over shortly.counselling for rest of the seats will be over shortly.