The Central government has proposed to rechristen the various branches of India’s premier health Institute, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences). It has proposed to change the names of all 23 AIIMS after local heroes, freedom fighters, historical events or monuments.
As the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sought suggestions, euphoria over the name change of AIIMS Bhubaneswar has already caught up with people here.
Meanwhile, political parties have started giving their own opinions about the name change. BJP has called for the name change after a freedom fighter who played a pivotal role in the creation of Odisha.
“Freedom fighters who played a crucial role in the creation of Odisha should be given preference. Especially, the freedom fighters who were born in Odisha and died fighting for the freedom and development of the Jagannath’s land. I hope CM Naveen Patnaik will not indulge in any kind of dirty politics and take the right decision,” said BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan.
Congress demanded the premier institute to be named after Harekrushna Mahatab, a notable figure in the Indian Independence Movement and the Chief Minister of Odisha from 1946 to 1950 and again from 1956 to 1961.
Sharing his opinion, senior Congress leader Sura Routray said, “I want CM Naveen to recommend the name of Harekrushna Mahatab. We won’t mind if they don’t name Baramunda bus stand after him, but we demand AIIMS Bhubaneswar to be named after him.”
The ruling BJD, on the other hand, has demanded AIIMS Bhubaneswar to be named after Biju Patnaik, the strongman of Odisha.
Veteran BJD leader Prasanna Kumar Patasani said, “The premier hospital should be named after Biju Patnaik as Odisha will never get a statesman like him.”
Worth mentioning, the Central government, in the first phase, has decided to change the names of six AIIMS including the Bhubaneswar-based premier institute. The other five are AIIMS Patna, AIIMS Raipur, AIIMS Bhopal and AIIMS Jodhpur and AIIMS Rishikesh. The remaining will be changed thereafter in other phases.
On the other hand, historians slammed the BJP government for making a fool of citizens by changing names instead of focusing on providing quality and free healthcare facilities. Many called it another ‘jhumla’ of the Modi government to divert attention from the ongoing problems of unemployment, fuel price, bad economic condition, inflation, price rise and GST.
Historian Anil Dheer said, “AIIMS is a world-class institute. It is known worldwide with an established identity of its own. Everyone knows it as AIIMS. So, what is the use of changing the name?”
Similarly, Odissi dancer Meera Das said, “What is there in a name... Priority should be given to providing proper healthcare to the people of Odisha. Pandit Gopabandhu Das’ name is only limited to Odisha. So, I recommend AIIMS to be named after his name.”