(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
New Delhi / Rourkela, 21st March 2021: President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, dedicated the Ispat Post Graduate Institute and Super Specialty Hospital (built by NBCC) of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) to the Nation in a grand function organised at the Hospital on 21st March 2021. Prof Ganeshi Lal, Governor of Odisha, Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel,Faggan Singh Kulaste,Minister of State for Steel, Naba Kishore Das, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Odisha, Jual Oram, Member of Parliament, P.K. Tripathy, Secretary (Steel) and Smt. Soma Mondal, Chairman, SAIL, PK Gupta, CMD-NBCC were also present on the dais on this occasion. In his address, the President, praised the nomenclature of Rourkela, which means “Your village”. “This is a very unique gesture of the people of this land to show their care and affection for the guests,” he said. Remembering the glorious history of RSP, the President said that this first Steel Plant of the country under Public Sector undertaking has been a strong foundation in the development of the country, apart from ushering in an inclusive growth in this region. “Two important pillars of good governance that contribute most in the development of humankind are education and health care. In the most difficult time of COVID-19, our medical fraternity put up an extraordinary fight on the face of the enormous challenge, without caring about their own health. I have learnt that the medical team of SAIL has carried out a laudable job in providing health care facilities and saving lives of people during the pandemic. The Nation would be indebted to you,” he said. The President expressed his confidence that SAIL and RSP would continue to serve the country with similar dedication.

The President unveiled a plaque to mark the dedication of the Ispat Post Graduate Institute and Super Specialty Hospital. He also took a keen interest in the model of the hospital facility. Speaking on the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan said “I was present in the meeting in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji had made the announcement for the super specialty hospital and I feel privileged to be here today on the occasion of the implementation of the promise made to the people of Rourkela”. He profusely thanked the Prime Minister for granting the financial support for establishment of the hospital, which is a step of the Government of India for welfare of the poor and tribal population of the region. Pradhan congratulated the SAIL, and RSP collective for taking up the challenge of the Super Specialty Hospital, in spite of the financial crunches. The Minister appreciated the support of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar and NBCC for playing a major role in setting up of the super specialty hospital. Expressing happiness over the fact that post graduation education facilities will be provided in the super specialty hospital he said, “SAIL is a highly dependable steel maker. The Ispat General Hospital (IGH) has also remained one of the most trustworthy hospitals for the entire region.” The Steel Minister also applauded the massive measures taken by RSP to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of establishment of the Covid testing laboratory and plasma bank at IGH which has immensely benefited the state. The Minister called upon SAIL and RSP Management to take up a “Jan Andolan” for spreading the green canopy and increasing jungle cover in the Sundargarh district, especially in Rourkela and in the mining areas. Pradhan also felicitated the President by presenting him an Odisha handicraft.Earlier, P K Tripathy, welcomed the gathering and remarked that the day would go down in the history of SAIL as a red lettered day as it had the honour of having the first citizen of the country the President of India in its portal. The Super Specialty hospital is an eloquent testimony to the commitment of SAIL to the Purvodaya mission, he emphasised. Smt. Soma Mondal thanked the President for dedicating the hospital and said, “The sheer presence of the first citizen and his words of inspiration will be remembered by one and all present on the occasion and also by each member of the SAIL collective.” Earlier a film on RSP and the Super Specialty Hospital was showcased on the occasion. The National Anthem was sung by the students of the Nurses Training Institute of IGH at the beginning and also at the end.