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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Karnataka HC quashes FIR against three men accused of 'preaching Islam' near temple premises
Bengaluru, Jul 25 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court has quashed a First Information Report (FIR) filed against three Muslim men who were accused of "preaching Islam" and distributing religious pamphlets near a Hindu temple in Jamkhandi, Bagalkot district.
The complaint had alleged that the men attempted religious conversion by making promises of employment and passed derogatory remarks about Hinduism.
However, the High Court held that there was no substantial evidence of coercion, fraud, or inducement--criteria necessary for prosecution under the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022.
The court made it clear that mere expression or distribution of religious literature does not amount to an offence unless accompanied by forceful or deceitful attempts to convert.
"The essence of a free society lies in the freedom to express, discuss, and propagate beliefs," the bench observed.
It further stated that peaceful preaching, in the absence of coercion or allurement, is protected under Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to freely profess and propagate one's religion.
Additionally, the bench noted that the complainant in the case was neither the alleged victim nor a relative of one. As per Section 4 of the 2022 Act, only an aggrieved individual or their close relatives are permitted to lodge such complaints--making the FIR procedurally invalid.
