Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on March 25 inaugurated India’s first completely-free medical college established by humanitarian and spiritual leader Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, at Muddenahalli, the birthplace of Bharat Ratna Sri M Visvesvaraya. The college has been built at a capital cost of Rs 400 crore and will commence from this academic year (2023-24). Students will be admitted on the basis of NEET.
The Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research which comprises of one teaching hospital and an academic block apart from hostels, auditorium, staff residences and sports facilities with a total area of about 3,25,000 sq.ft., is a unique and first-of-its-kind project, which will set a new standard for accessibility to quality medical education, check exclusion, for first-generation learners and disadvantaged students from rural India.
After qualifying in the NEET entrance examination, students will be embraced into the college with just one pair of clothes, and everything else will be taken care by the Prashanthi Balamandira Trust which has established this medical college.
The Trust acquired the necessary land and built the infrastructure for the medical college to commence in the academic year June 2023-24. The entire capital expenditure for the Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research has been through the support of like-minded individuals from around the world, and since there is no pressure of profiteering, it becomes a low-cost model. The teaching hospital currently comprises 360 beds spread across two buildings. In the next phase, another hospital block with an extension of academic, and more hostel facilities will be constructed.
Praising the model, PM Modi said, “ Sathya Sai Grama has given a wonderful model of service to this land of Bharat. The selfless services activities of Nutrition, Education and Healthcare that are being done from this place are truly appreciable. The inauguration of the free medical college gives additional strength and enthusiasm to their already existing service projects. Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research will produce Doctors and Allied Healthcare Providers who will submit themselves for the service of the Nation. ‘Amrut Kaal’ can be achieved only through one way – consistent efforts by each one of you, and this is what is happening from this place.”
Basavaraj Bommai – CM of Karnataka and Dr K Sudhakar, Minister of Health and Medical Education – Govt. of Karnataka were also present at the event at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli.
Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai acknowledged the leadership of Narendra Modi as he is always available to support the cause of the good and the noble, and encourages good deeds where ever it happens. He added: “We are honoured to have Modi Ji inaugurate this medical college. Seven years ago, a girl doing her Grade 12 at our educational institutions expressed her wish to become a doctor to serve the rural people. Her father who is working as a cook did not have in his capacity to finance her medical education. We gave this girl an opportunity to pursue medical education, especially touched by her pure intention to serve the needy. Today, she has become a Doctor and works in our institution. Thus, we decided to extend this opportunity for all children who have the aptitude but not the affordability to pursue medical education, and especially to those who wants to study to serve others.”
Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai said, “This event is a culmination of two great personalities – a man who has created a new healthcare model that provides access to the poorest of the poor in the country, and an institution that is giving free medical services for the poorest of the poor. This is a day that gives a new ray of hope and confidence for all the people of this country, and this is what it is about building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat.”
