By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The white coat ceremony to officially induct the first-year students of 2025-26 batch into the journey of medical education was held at the Madurai Government Medical College here on Monday.
College dean L. Arul Sundaresh Kumar presiding over the event, said the students should not just be passionate about their studies and career but should also try other things like sports and other activities.
“Medicine is a great profession, and everyone has a very unique opportunity to learn everyday till you step out of this profession,” he added.
Along with learning, students should also develop a good habit or technique to relieve the stress that would come along with the unregulated day and night working schedule, Dr. Arul Sundaresh Kumar stated.
Speaking on ragging and its repercussions, he said, first-year students would have many restrictions, and those restrictions were to protect and keep them away from being ragged.
He stated that if the senior students could take an oath to not engage in such ragging practices, the juniors would not be affected.
However, he said, there were several mechanisms on board to ensure the safety of junior students.
“Still, if you feel harassed or threatened in any way, report it using the numbers provided on the college campus. Bring it to our attention first. The names of those who report will be kept confidential, and the issues will be resolved immediately,” Dr. Arul Sundaresh Kumar assured. Students could also report on several toll-free numbers available.
“The law allows even for the expulsion of students if they are proven to have engaged in ragging. Students who rag should be aware of this and parents should also monitor their children and offer advice,” he said.
As studying medicine, involving five years of Undergraduate medical degree and three years of Postgraduate degree, was stressful and time consuming, students should learn to be patient to endure the nine yearlong educational foundation to achieve the goal of saving people, he noted.
As the college administration was planning to start a bicycle club, he advised students and parents not to use two-wheelers for their own safety and instead suggested the usage of bicycles.
Finally, the Dean said: “Do not study just to pass exams, study to understand and to save a life. When a patient sees us, they should have the confidence that we will save them.”
A total of 250 students received their white coats.
