RETIREMENT SPEECH

FARE WELL SPEECH ON RETIREMENT(30/04/2015)

Dear Colleagues,students and friends,

Thank you for giving me such a farewell on this day.I would also place on record my gratitude for the love and care given to me during my tenure as Principal.

As principal of Govt Medical College,Kozhikode for a reasonably long period of almost 6 years, I feel humble and satisfied. I am the 26^th principal of this institution and is second to the legendary Dr Ananthanaranan Sir as far as duration of tenure is considered.

I joined this institution as an MBBS student in 1975. I studied for Diploma in Chest diseases and MD in General medicine in this college itself. In 1985 I started my carrier as a Tutor in Chest Department. When I was elevated to this post many of my relatives and friends advised against accepting it saying that this will create more head ache than any thing. I thought otherwise. I considered it as an opportunity to serve my Alma mater. I was ready to take any pain for that. I thought I will use my MBA knowledge to build a good cadre and to look at improvements in infrastructure and academics. Dr.C.B.C. Warrier was my mentor and my role model.

How I rate my tenure is a big question I ask myself. My main aim and ambition is to do something good to my institution. I tried many things, succeeded in some, failed in others. That's quite natural. Many people fail in their goals, but this should be evaluated by others, not me. I have always felt that our college is a wonderful institution and  with some discipline among the ranks, we can do wonders. During this tenure I have learnt the fact that one man alone cannot do wonders. I concentrated on improving academics first and then infrastructure. I know that knowingly or unknowingly I have ignored many areas. I am leaving those areas to my successor, hoping he or she will do what I could not and even better than me. I appreciate the cooperation of my colleagues, especially the senior teachers, students and the office staff who stood with me. I know that there are people who oppose me too. I felt that people who were denied personal favour became my enemies. I never permitted even my friends to gain unusual favours from me. That makes a lot of enemies, but it also gave me energy to fight.

Calicut Medical college is ranked as the fifth best all over India. This rank shows our quality. This rank is the result of our hard work. I thought of building this campus like that of NIT Calicut, but that could not be materialized. I even wanted to improve the casualty service, but that too is incomplete .The dream project of PMSSY is still away from us, but history takes years to complete. Therefore I do not worry about what is not complete; I focus on what is complete. I do not have a completely rigid style. At times I am cordial, at other times, excited. I use these qualities to achieve my goals. Most people may not recognize this and fail to understand me and my style. Anyway I am always ready to work overtime and I recognize people of that caliber. I have given opportunity to every department. But there is a complaint that I help only few departments. I know that certain department got preferential treatment and the reason is that those who work hard and use the given opportunity get further support. Those who blame are those who do not use these opportunities. Regarding government funds, there is no special way to attract the same. If we take a project and take it as our own personal project, then you will get it. I have always had good rapport with ministers, secretaries and director. That was a bonus for me. There are still many things to become reality such as PMSSY project, oncology institute, lecture theatre complex, residential facilities for PGs and the staff, and the paramedical hostel which are all sanctioned. It is the duty of all of you to support the project and make it come true. We need a few more improvements, such as a protected campus, an improved casualty and residential services. Restriction for visitors in the hospital, a good restaurant/canteen within the hospital etc. are urgent necessities. New house surgeons quarters and mortuary should be built. There are a few specialties we have to concentrate on soon, such as Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Neonatology, Medical and Surgical Oncology, Cardiac and Neuro anesthesia, Sports medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology. One should always have a good vision and a good team to work with. The rest will come on its way.

 I request my colleagues, juniors and students to take care of our college as this is our own prestigious institution.

Dr C Ravindran