Work for welfare of common man without discrimination: Dr Darda

 Media Coverage  |  06-04-2025

Research Awards presented at Dadasaheb Kalmegh Memorial Dental College & Hospital

We never ask a doctor’s caste while getting treated, nor do we check a patient’s religion while donating blood. Discrimination is one of the most dangerous things in today’s world. Today you are a student, tomorrow you will be a leader in your field. That’s why, while doing your duties, you should always work for the welfare of the common people without any discrimination, said the chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda.

He was speaking during the sixth Research Awards ceremony of Late Dadasaheb Kalmegh Memorial Dental College and Hospital. The awards were presented at the college auditorium on Saturday.

The founder president of the college Sharad Kalmegh, secretary Hemant Kalmegh, treasurer R M Singh, dean Dr Deepak Nagpal, director (development) Dr Sanjay Patil and management committee member Dr Juzar Rasool were present on the occasion.

Addressing the students, Dr Darda spoke about the simplicity and values of many great personalities like the former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Dr Vikram Sarabhai, veteran freedom fighter Jawaharlalji Darda alias ‘Babuji’ and former vice-chancellor of Nagpur University (now RTMNU) Karmaveer Dadasaheb Kalmegh.

He further said, “Try to reach the highest level of success, but make sure you always think about public welfare. Let your work be grounded in values and do not lose your connection with your roots.”

‘Babuji increased number of seats for 5 poor students’

Sharad Kalmegh shared a touching memory of veteran freedom fighter Jawaharlalji Darda, fondly called ‘Babuji’, and Dadasaheb Kalmegh. He said, “When Dadasaheb Kalmegh was the president of Shivaji Shikshan Sanstha, the admission capacity of Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College in Amravati was 100 students. At that time, Babuji was the health minister of Maharashtra. Dadasaheb approached Babuji and requested him to increase the number of seats so that a poor student could get admission. Babuji immediately agreed. However, Dadasaheb told him that if one student was admitted, four others in similar need would still miss the opportunity. So Babuji said all five students should be admitted. Following this, 105 students were admitted that year even though the official capacity was only 100,” Kalmegh recalled.

The awardees

Dr Anabathula Praharsha, Dr Sachin Chaware, Dr Surbhi Kapgate,

Dr Aruna Krishnan, Dr Deepak Nagpal, Dr Shweta Venkataraman, Sakshi Badwaik, Swarali Zode, Dr Akshay Mishra, Dr Shubhangi Mishra and Dr Grishma Niswade were honoured with various awards. Each of these awards comprised a cash prize of ₹1,11,111 and a citation.

Chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda, founder president of Late Dadasaheb Kalmegh Memorial Dental College and Hospital Sharad Kalmegh, secretary Hemant Kalmegh, treasurer R M Singh, dean Dr Deepak Nagpal, director (Development) Dr Sanjay Patil, management committee member Dr Juzar Rasool with the award-winning researchers and students at Late Dadasaheb Kalmegh Memorial Dental College and Hospital on Saturday.

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