VP Radhakrishnan Attends Rajasthan University's 35th Convocation in Jaipur
Synopsis
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan heads to Jaipur on April 26 for Rajasthan University's 35th Convocation and Cancer Survivors' Day — days after chairing AIIMS Rishikesh's convocation where he championed Vaccine Maitri and called healthcare a public trust. His back-to-back academic engagements signal a deliberate constitutional outreach across India's education and health sectors.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan will attend the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur on April 26, 2025 .
He will also participate in the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day organised by Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Jaipur.
On Thursday, April 24 , Radhakrishnan chaired the 6th Convocation of AIIMS Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, urging graduates to embrace public service.
He highlighted India's COVID-19 vaccination drive , noting that over 140 crore citizens received free vaccines, with equitable access to underserved regions.
The Vaccine Maitri initiative saw India supply vaccines to more than 100 countries , embodying the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam .
The Vice-President emphasised that healthcare is a public trust and called on young professionals to contribute through rural outreach, research, and innovation .
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan is set to visit Jaipur on Saturday, April 26, to attend the prestigious 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan — one of India's oldest and largest public universities. The visit underscores the constitutional significance attached to higher education milestones and the Vice-President's active role in shaping the nation's academic discourse.
VP's Jaipur Schedule: Convocation and Cancer Survivors' Day
Beyond the convocation ceremony, Vice-President Radhakrishnan will also participate in the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day, organised by the Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Jaipur. This dual engagement signals the government's emphasis on both academic excellence and public health awareness in a single high-profile visit.
The University of Rajasthan, established in 1947, is among the oldest universities in post-independence India and has been a cornerstone of higher education in the state. Its 35th convocation marks a significant institutional milestone, with thousands of graduates receiving their degrees across disciplines.
Days After AIIMS Rishikesh: A Pattern of Academic Engagement
This Jaipur visit comes just days after Vice-President Radhakrishnan chaired the sixth convocation ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh in Uttarakhand on Thursday. At that event, he reminded graduates that convocation marks not merely the end of years of disciplined sacrifice, but the beginning of a deeper responsibility towards society and the nation.
He urged the young medical professionals to embrace their duties with dedication, empathy, integrity, and a sense of purpose — values he described as foundational to the medical profession. His consistent presence at convocations across states reflects a deliberate constitutional outreach strategy.
Healthcare as Public Trust: Key Messages from AIIMS Rishikesh
At AIIMS Rishikesh, the Vice-President emphasised that healthcare is a public trust and that medical professionals are vital contributors to nation-building. He called on graduates to channel their expertise into preventive care, rural outreach, research, and innovation — areas where India's healthcare system continues to face structural challenges.
Highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of Rishikesh as a global centre of reflection and healing, and a gateway to the Himalayas, he noted that the setting lends deeper solemnity to the convocation ceremony.
India's Pandemic Response and Vaccine Maitri Initiative
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice-President Radhakrishnan praised India's resilience and innovation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted that more than 140 crore citizens received free vaccines, ensuring equitable healthcare access — particularly in underserved and rural regions.
He underscored that Indian scientists developed vaccines not for profit, but for the welfare of humanity — a distinction that earned India global respect. He also highlighted the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative, under which India supplied vaccines to more than 100 countries, embodying the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.
This initiative, critics and supporters alike acknowledge, positioned India as a compassionate global health leader during one of the most challenging periods in modern history.
Broader Implications: Vice-President's Role in Education and Health Diplomacy
The Vice-President's back-to-back engagements at premier academic institutions and healthcare events reflect a broader institutional effort to reinforce the values of public service, scientific temper, and national responsibility among India's emerging professionals. As India aims to position itself as a global knowledge and healthcare hub by 2047, such ceremonial yet substantive interventions carry significant symbolic and policy weight.
With the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day both scheduled for April 26 in Jaipur, all eyes will be on the Vice-President's address and any key announcements he may make regarding education policy or public health priorities in Rajasthan.
Point of View
However, is the quiet irony: while the Vice-President champions rural healthcare outreach and equitable access, Rajasthan's own public health infrastructure has faced persistent criticism over doctor shortages and underfunded district hospitals — a contradiction that graduating doctors will confront the moment they leave the convocation hall.
NationPress
4 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Vice-President Radhakrishnan visiting Jaipur on April 26?
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan is visiting Jaipur on April 26 to attend the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day at Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. Both events are scheduled on the same day, making it a significant visit for education and public health in Rajasthan.
What is the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan?
The 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan is a major academic ceremony held in Jaipur where thousands of graduates receive their degrees. The University of Rajasthan, established in 1947, is one of India's oldest and most prominent public universities.
What did VP Radhakrishnan say at AIIMS Rishikesh convocation?
At the 6th Convocation of AIIMS Rishikesh, VP Radhakrishnan said that healthcare is a public trust and urged graduates to focus on preventive care, rural outreach, and innovation. He also highlighted India's Vaccine Maitri initiative, under which vaccines were supplied to over 100 countries.
What is India's Vaccine Maitri initiative?
Vaccine Maitri is India's initiative under which COVID-19 vaccines were supplied to more than 100 countries, reflecting the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family. VP Radhakrishnan cited it as proof of India's role as a compassionate global health partner.
How many Indians received free COVID vaccines according to VP Radhakrishnan?
Vice-President Radhakrishnan stated that more than 140 crore Indian citizens received free COVID-19 vaccines, ensuring equitable healthcare access especially in underserved and rural regions. He credited this achievement to India's resilience and leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
