Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 October 2024
The 2nd Graduation Ceremony for the MBBS Batch of 2018 at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) took place at Ambedkar Auditorium on 24th October 2024. The event, which was attended by the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the Chief Secretary, and several senior officers of the Islands’ administration, was marred by controversy over the absence of an invitation to Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, the lone Member of Parliament from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Mr. Ray, known for his vocal stance on various issues, made an uninvited appearance at the venue, expressing his displeasure at being left out of the guest list. His dissatisfaction was particularly pointed given his instrumental role in the establishment of ANIIMS, the only medical college in the Islands.
The event saw a tense moment when senior officers, including the Chief Secretary, were seen attempting to pacify the MP, urging him to join them on stage. Videos of the incident, which quickly went viral on social media, show Mr. Ray publicly voicing his displeasure. In the videos, senior officials can be seen engaging with the MP in an effort to resolve the situation, highlighting the unexpected turn of events during what was meant to be a celebratory occasion.
Eventually, after much persuasion, Mr. Ray agreed to join the officers on stage, allowing the program to proceed without further disruption. He later participated in the ceremony, distributing certificates to the graduating students.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor, who had earlier declared the convocation open, also took part in the day’s proceedings. He virtually inaugurated ANIIMS’ newly constructed Administrative Block and Library Block and unveiled the institution’s annual report, marking significant milestones for the medical college.
In her address, Director of ANIIMS, Dr. Pragya Sharma, congratulated the graduates and their families, describing the ceremony as a momentous occasion that marked both the end of a challenging academic journey and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the graduates. Her remarks underscored the significance of the event, which was meant to be a day of celebration for the graduating students and their families.
However, the controversy surrounding the MP’s exclusion continued to dominate discussions, both at the event and across social media platforms. WhatsApp groups across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were abuzz with videos of Mr. Ray’s public expression of dissatisfaction, sparking widespread criticism of the ANIIMS administration for not extending an invitation to the MP. Even individuals who typically oppose Mr. Ray voiced their support for him on this matter, adding to the chorus of disapproval directed at the organisers.
Despite the early disruption, the ceremony concluded successfully, leaving the controversy over the MP’s exclusion as a point of contention among the Islands’ political and administrative circles.