Dr Azad Moopen’s family to donate DM WIMS Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Colleges to Kerala Govt
Dubai, 4 July, 2020: DM Education and Research Foundation (DMERF) is considering the handover of DM WIMS Medical College, Nursing and Pharmacy Colleges and its associated institutions over to the Government of Kerala and would be undertaking further discussions to agree upon the terms and conditions of the handover.
The Government of Kerala had been deliberating to set-up a medical college in the area over the last 7 to 8 years to address the challenges being faced by the local population due to lack of local availability of advanced healthcare facilities under the government sector. With two batches of MBBS graduates having passed from the institution, the handover by DMERF would address the Government need. DM WIMS is one of the few NABH accredited medical colleges in the country.
The DM WIMS Medical College and its associated institutions in Wayanad was established by DMERF Trust 10 years ago as a response to help the backward community of the district. Run in a charitable manner, the medical college has a capacity of 150 seats and has seen two batches of doctors graduate from the institution with excellent results in KUHAS exams. With a total built up area of 14 lakh square feet, it also has a 700 bed super-specialty hospital catering to the local community and helping in training healthcare professionals, a 100-bed specialty hospital, a pharmacy college and a nursing college.
“Over the years, DMWIMS Medical college and its associated institutions have been able to make a significant contribution towards managing the healthcare needs of the 10 lakh population of the district which has limitations in terms of social infrastructure and hilly terrain. Another new medical college by Government would require substantial investments and minimum another 5 years to be functional. We think that DM WIMS can cater to the requirement by Government and and setting up of another medical collegemight not be required to cater to the existing population. We think that it is important that we join hands with the Government in providing support to the needy local population. I am happy to announce that we shall donate Rs 250 Crores out of the total investment in the institutions to the government to provide treatment to the needy population in the backward, land locked district and to train good quality doctors from the state. I am thankful to the Honourable Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and Health Minister Smt. K K Shailaja Teacher for their prompt response to the proposal and setting up a committee to review the details. We would also request the Government to continue with the current staff who have been associated with the institutions for many years and have contributed to its success,” said Dr. Azad Moopen, Managing Trustee, DMERF.
Dr U T Ifthikar, Syndicate Member, RGUHS also lauded the move and added that he was very proud of the Dr. Moopen for coming up with such a proposal that will help people.
Dr. Moopen has earmarked 20% of his personal wealth for philanthropic efforts and which is being done through the family trust. DMERF had established the institutions without a profit motive and with the main intention of providing access to quality care to the needy population of Wayanad and imparting medical education to deserving students. Over the years, these institutions have played a significant role in improving access to quality care even to the remotest parts of the hilly terrain. The Aster Volunteers program by Aster DM Healthcare recently handed over 100 Aster Homes to the people affected by the floods recently and is building another 150 Aster Homes now. Aster Volunteers and the Family Trust are involved in several philanthropic activities across 7 countries, through several healthcare and humanitarian interventions. Currently, the institutions are actively working to help the population cope-up with the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Conflicting claims emerge over former Ashoka University missing student as parents seek probe
Gurugram/New Delhi: A case involving a former Ashoka University student has drawn attention after her parents alleged she went missing and sought a probe into an alleged network, while court records indicate that the woman had left home voluntarily and sought legal protection to live independently.
According to The Print, the parents, who are both academics, have approached the Haryana State Commission for Women, alleging that their daughter was manipulated and used by university officials. They have requested a probe by the National probe Agency and have named multiple individuals, including academic members, researchers, and students, in their complaints.
However, the university stated that the woman ceased to be a student in May 2023 and that its instructors and staff have no participation in the situation.
According to documentation in the case, the woman, who was 22 at the time, left her Rohtak home on October 24, 2023. In her written communication with police officers and the station house officer in Sonipat, she stated that she had departed on her own accord, alleging years of physical and emotional abuse at home and demanding secrecy regarding her location.
She subsequently recorded a statement before a magistrate under provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure. She affirmed her decision to live independently and in later complaints, she alleged continued attempts by her family to contact her and sought police protection.
Court records from the Delhi High Court show that she appeared in person before the court in May 2024 and stated that she wished to choose her own way of life and did not want to interact with her family. The court noted her statement and recorded that she was a major acting of her own volition.
In a subsequent order, the court noted that she had been provided police protection since November 2023 and was residing independently, granting her liberty to approach the court again if required.
The parents, meanwhile, have maintained that their daughter was a meritorious student and alleged that she was traced earlier to premises linked to university staff. They also raised concerns over financial transactions and a name change, which they claim point to a larger network.
At the centre of their allegations is Bittu Kaveri Rajaraman, an associate professor at the university. No response has been issued by the individuals named in the complaint so far.
After the matter was taken up by the women’s commission, chairperson Renu Bhatia said the panel may recommend a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
During the hearings, a lawyer claiming to represent the woman arrived before the commission even though she had not been summoned and the commission has asked for her personal appearance.
