Shimla, May 6
Governor Kavinder Gupta today presided over the annual day function of Himachal Dental College, Sundernagar. He said that to make India a developed, self-reliant and strong nation, young people must move forward with knowledge, skills and innovation. He said that the youth are the country’s greatest strength and if they actively take part in nation-building, India can become a self-reliant and powerful nation.
The Governor said that Himachal Dental College was a leading dental institution in the state and has an important contributions in education, research, community service and health awareness. He said that the institution is not only producing skilled doctors but also shaping responsible and compassionate citizens.
Gupta said that dental health is a key part of overall health and it is the responsibility of young medical professionals to ensure quality healthcare reaches even the most remote sections of society. He encouraged students to aim for excellence in their profession while also practicing service, compassion and ethical values in their lives.
The Governor added that modern technology, digital innovation and artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities in the field of dentistry. He appreciated the institution’s efforts in organising free dental camps in rural and remote areas, anti-tobacco awareness campaigns and other community service programmes.
Gupta said that the true identity of any educational institution lies not only in its academic achievements but also in its contribution to society. He expressed confidence that the college will continue to work towards providing healthcare services to the last person in society.
On this occasion, the Governor honoured students who performed excellently in academics and sports. Students who secured top positions at the university level in BDS and MDS courses were also awarded.
The Governor also inaugurated a new modern dental van, which will play an important role in providing dental healthcare services in rural and remote areas. Principal Dr. Baljeet Singh, presented the annual report and said that since 1993, the college has been organizing community outreach camps under the ‘treatment at your doorstep’ initiative. Last year, 46 camps were organised, where over 6,000 people were examined and more than 800 patients were treated using the mobile dental van. He said that in 2025, the institution received the ‘Community Service and Outreach’ award from the Indian Dental Association. It was also honoured by the International College of Dentists for its community and humanitarian services.
Director Dr. Anil Singla welcomed the Governor and other guests, while Dr. Vikas Jindal thanked the staff and students for successfully organizing the event. MLA Rakesh Jamwal, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, Deputy Commissioner Mandi Apoorv Devgan, Superintendent of Police Mandi Vinod Kumar, Chairperson Santosh Gupta and other officials were present on the occasion.
