NEW DELHI: India Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate, on April 17, the new campus of the NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute, the single medical college in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

The institute, which had been operating from a leased building, is about to move to its own site in Silvassa, which spans 35 acres. It has evolved into a ray of hope and a representation of the rising ambitions of the locals, 40% of whom are tribal. The medical college's foundation stone was laid in 2019 by Prime Minister Modi.

Modern amenities include a multi-story library, academic building with four lecture halls and an auditorium, club house, staff housing, student housing, and space for both indoor and outdoor recreation. The infrastructure was built for Rs. 203 crore.

The Union Territory's Secretary of Health, Dr. T. Arun, saud: "Students from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have had the far-fetched aspiration of pursuing higher education, particularly in medicine. Prior to the formation of the medical college, the Central Pool Quota given to the Union Territory annually only allowed 10–12 students from the Union Territory to apply for places in medical colleges throughout India."

Only after the NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute got going in 2019 and with the direction and cooperation of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health, he claimed, was the Union Territory able to construct a medical college.

The NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute's dean, Dr. Ramchandra Goyal, stated that the medical college began the 2019–20 academic year with a capacity of 150 MBBS students. 27 seats have been reserved for pupils from the economically weaker sections, bringing the total up to 177. The college currently has 682 students enrolled. The goal, according to Mr. Goyal, is to add 200 additional seats.

In contrast to the deserving students of his predecessors who had to compete for a few number of medical seats from the Union Territories in order to realise their dream of becoming doctors, third-year student Mitesh Jha stated he considered himself fortunate.

"After Independence, there hasn't been a medical college in the Union Territory. I'm glad I can continue my education in medicine, "added Mr. Jha. He is also looking forward to speaking with the Prime Minister when he comes to inaugurate the new campus. He continued, "I am quite eager to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital, which is affiliated with the medical institution and is four kilometres away, serves the whole population of the Union Territory as well as the nearby villages in Gujarat and Maharashtra and other States.

Before being increased to 316 beds, the institution had 60 beds and the barest of amenities when it was first established in 1952 under the name Cottage Hospital. It now has 650 beds and is being expanded to 1,270 beds.

Together with the NAMO Medical Education and Research Center, PM Modi will also lay the cornerstone for the proposed Ayurveda Hospital and Wellness Centre, which is expected to rise on 40 acres of tranquil land

close to the Madhuban Dam and have a verdant environment. An estimated 70 crore rupees will be needed.

Rozgar Mela: PM to distribute 71K appointment letters on April 13\

PM Modi to flag off Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat train tomorrow

PM Modi visits Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, feeds sugarcane to elephants