True Empowerment Lies in Citizens’ Health: Rajnath Singh
GHAZIABAD (UP): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the government is committed to uplifting the poor and underprivileged, stressing that India’s true empowerment lies in the health of its citizens.
Speaking at the inauguration of Yashoda Medicity — a private multi-specialty hospital — in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Singh said the government’s vision is to make India a developed nation by 2047, and a healthy population is essential to achieving that goal.
“We are moving towards the India our ancestors envisioned — a strong and healthy nation. Every step, every policy, and every effort of our government is dedicated to uplifting the poor, the underprivileged, and the rural population,” he said.
Highlighting Yashoda Medicity’s achievements, the Defence Minister noted that it has become a leading robotics surgery training centre in South Asia, marking a significant milestone in medical education and research.
Singh also shared the institution’s inspirational origin, recalling that Chairman Dr. P. N. Arora founded it after losing his mother to cancer in 1986.
“That personal pain gave birth to this institution, which today stands as a symbol of trust and care for the community,” he said.
Commending the hospital’s social commitment, Singh added,
“Just as Yashoda Medicity has fulfilled its responsibility towards society, our government is equally committed to ensuring the welfare of every citizen, especially the most vulnerable.”
He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s healthcare system has undergone a remarkable transformation.
“What was once a cause of concern for the poor has now become their right. No Indian should lose hope due to illness,” Singh emphasised.
He cited the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, under which 10 crore families have been provided with annual health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh each. Recently, senior citizens aged 70 and above were also included in the scheme, ensuring health security for the elderly.
Singh also highlighted the government’s efforts to make medicines affordable through Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras, benefiting people across rural and urban areas. He said India’s healthcare infrastructure is being rapidly expanded — with the number of medical colleges increasing from 387 in 2014 to 800 and MBBS seats rising from 50,000 to over 1.2 lakh.
“It has also been decided to establish 22 new AIIMS hospitals. Of these, 12 are fully functional, while the rest are nearing completion. Once operational, they will further strengthen our healthcare network,” he added.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress of the Yashoda Group, Singh said he was confident that the institution would continue to set new benchmarks of innovation and service excellence not only in India but across South Asia.
He also extended gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for inaugurating the hospital. The event was attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Union Minister Anupriya Patel, and other dignitaries.
