- Institutions Dedicated to Public Service Are Pillars of Social Welfare: President
- Ramakrishna Mission Plays a Key Role in Building a Healthy Nation
Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report
March 20, 2026, Vrindavan: The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, stated that institutions driven by a spirit of public service act as vital carriers of social welfare and significantly strengthen efforts toward building a healthy nation. She made these remarks on Friday during the inauguration of the newly constructed Nand Kishore Somani Oncology Block at the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Hospital in Vrindavan.
Highlighting the legacy of service, the President said that the Ramakrishna Mission continues to uphold the noble tradition of human compassion envisioned by Swami Vivekananda, rooted in the ideal of “Service to Man is Service to God.” She emphasized that such institutions not only serve society but also play a crucial role in nation-building.
The Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and the Hon’ble Governor, Anandiben Patel, visited the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama (Charitable Hospital) in Vrindavan. The President was welcomed with bouquets by Swami Vimalatmananda Ji Maharaj, Swami Suprakashananda Ji Maharaj, and Swami Kalikrishnananda Ji Maharaj. The Hon’ble President unveiled the foundation plaque of the newly constructed “Nand Kishore Somani Oncology Block” at the hospital. She formally inaugurated the block by cutting the ribbon. After the inauguration, the President and the Governor offered floral tributes before the portraits of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda.
Following this, both dignitaries proceeded to the auditorium within the hospital premises, where a formal event was held. During the event, the President, the Governor, Hon’ble Minister for Sugarcane Development and Sugar Mills Shri Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister (Independent Charge) for Basic Education Shri Sandeep Singh, Swami Vimalatmananda Ji Maharaj, and the Managing Director & CEO of HDFC Asset Management Company, Shri Navneet Munot, jointly lit the ceremonial lamp.
On this occasion, Swami Vimalatmananda Ji Maharaj honored the President, the Governor, and both ministers by presenting them with a statue of Swami Vivekananda and mementos. A short film based on the newly constructed “Nand Kishore Somani Oncology Block” was also screened.
Addressing the gathering, President Droupadi Murmu expressed her satisfaction at inaugurating the Oncology Block at this charitable hospital in the sacred land of Vrindavan. She said that Vrindavan is a divine land where the presence of Lord Krishna’s pastimes can be felt in every particle, and it has inspired saints and devotees for centuries. This sacred land spreads the eternal message of selfless love, compassion, and devotion across the world.
The President stated that the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Charitable Hospital is a powerful symbol of the confluence of spiritual consciousness and humanitarian service. She emphasized that the Ramakrishna Mission has shown that love, service, and compassion are the foremost paths to realizing God. For the past 118 years, the Mission has been serving people with dedication and has demonstrated that true service reflects spirituality in action.
She further noted that the Oncology Block marks a significant milestone in the journey of humanitarian service. With modern technologies, cancer patients will receive accurate, safe, and effective treatment. She highlighted that cancer is one of the most serious health challenges today, and timely diagnosis along with advanced treatment can be life-saving.
The President stressed the importance of awareness campaigns and timely screening in cancer prevention and treatment. She stated that a strong and self-reliant India can only be built when its citizens are healthy. She appreciated the hospital’s commitment to ensuring that no patient is denied treatment due to lack of funds.
She also mentioned that India is continuously strengthening its healthcare system to provide quality medical services to every citizen. Through schemes like Ayushman Bharat, millions of people are receiving affordable healthcare, including cancer treatment.
She added that the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is integrating healthcare with technology, enhancing transparency and accessibility. Through telemedicine and e-health services, patients can consult expert doctors from home. Institutions driven by service play a vital role in society, as they not only treat diseases but also instill hope, trust, and dignity in patients and their families.
The President said that the Ramakrishna Mission exemplifies how the integration of modern science and human compassion can greatly benefit humanity. She emphasized that this inauguration is not just of a building, but of a new gateway of hope for patients seeking quality treatment.
On this occasion, Governor Anandiben Patel described Vrindavan as a land of service and compassion and highlighted that the ideal of “Service to mankind is service to God,” as propagated by Swami Vivekananda, has been realized by the Ramakrishna Mission for over 118 years. She noted that the institution’s journey from a small service center to a 400-bed multi-specialty hospital reflects its remarkable growth.
She expressed confidence that the Oncology Block would benefit countless patients and praised the contributions of monks, doctors, nursing staff, healthcare workers, and donors.
The Governor stated that the progress of a state is measured by the health and well-being of its citizens, and a healthy society forms the foundation of a strong nation. She highlighted that both the central and state governments are continuously working to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, including the establishment of new medical colleges and expansion of facilities.
She emphasized the expansion of healthcare services from rural to urban areas, making them more accessible. She also stressed that health is not merely the absence of disease but a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and encouraged awareness, hygiene, balanced diet, regular exercise, and periodic health check-ups.
She expressed hope that hospitals would become centers of compassion where patients find relief not only from disease but also from fear and insecurity.
In his welcome address, Vice President of Belur Math, Swami Vimalatmananda Maharaj, highlighted that the Sevashrama Hospital stands as a living example of the harmonious blend of service and spirituality. Established 118 years ago, the institution continues to serve society with modern medical facilities.
The program commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp before the images of the Divine Couple of Vrindavan and the Holy Trinity of Sri Ramakrishna Dev, Maa Sharda and Swami Vivekananda.
Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary recalled witnessing the institution’s service ethos since his childhood and lauded its remarkable contributions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He described the President’s visit to Braj as a moment of great pride.
Swami Kalikrishnananda Ji Maharaj informed that the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Charitable Hospital has been serving poor and needy people in Mathura and nearby regions for the past 118 years. It has now grown into a 400-bed multi-super specialty hospital offering corporate-level healthcare services at highly affordable and charitable rates.
The hospital ensures that even the poorest receive high-quality medical care. In 2017, an Oncology Department was established, offering advanced cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
To provide comprehensive cancer treatment, especially radiotherapy, a dedicated modern facility—the “Nand Kishore Somani Oncology Block”—has been constructed and inaugurated on March 20, 2026, by the Hon’ble President. This three-storey building is specifically designed for cancer treatment and represents a major step toward providing accessible, affordable, and world-class cancer care to people in Mathura and surrounding regions.
The Oncology Block is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including TrueBeam with HyperArc, Halcyon with HyperSight, brachytherapy, radiotherapy CT simulator, oncology OPD, chemotherapy day-care unit, oncology pharmacy, tumor board conference hall, duty doctor rooms, general oncology wards, private cabins, and two advanced fully modular operation theatres.
Distinguished guests were honored with mementos, including a statue of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Suprakashananda Maharaj, Secretary of the Sevashrama Hospital, elaborated on the institution’s legacy of service, while Assistant Secretary Swami Kalikrishnananda Maharaj delivered the vote of thanks.
Several prominent personalities were present on the occasion, including Swami Sarvalokananda, Navneet Munot (MD, HDFC Bank AMC), Swami Atmashraddhananda, Swami Ojomyayananda, Swami Rudranathananda, Swami Devatananda, Dr. Thansingh Tomar, Dr. Prashant Pathak, Dr. Ganesh Sharma, Dr. Sarvesh Gupta, and Deputy Mayor of the Municipal Corporation Mukesh Saraswat, among others.
