Bareilly: On June 30, 2025, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, graced the convocation ceremony of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Addressing faculty, researchers, and graduating students, the President highlighted the critical role veterinarians play in a holistic and sustainable future, placing animal welfare at the heart of development.
🐾 Emphasizing India’s Spiritual Bond with All Living Beings
President Murmu began her address by underlining India’s ancient cultural ethos, rooted in the principle of ‘Ishavasyam Idam Sarvam’—the belief that the divine resides in every living being. She reflected on how Indian mythology and spiritual traditions portray sages and gods communicating with animals, establishing a deep-rooted philosophy of coexistence, compassion, and stewardship of nature.
🌍 Biodiversity and Conservation: A Moral Responsibility
Stressing the urgent need to protect biodiversity, the President reminded the gathering that numerous species are either extinct or nearing extinction. She asserted that the health of the planet is intricately linked to the well-being of animals and ecosystems.
Citing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, she warned against the dangers of a consumption-driven lifestyle. She noted that such models have damaged not only human health but also that of animals and the broader environment, reiterating the necessity for a conscious, sustainable, and inclusive approach to progress.
🌱 ‘One Health’ Concept: Interconnectedness of All Life
President Murmu strongly advocated for the ‘One Health’ framework, a globally growing concept that integrates human health, animal health, plant health, and environmental well-being. She emphasized the need for veterinary institutions like IVRI to play a central role in the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases, which emerge at the intersection of humans and animals.
She noted that animal welfare is no longer just a veterinary concern, but a shared responsibility vital for sustainable development and global health security.
🔬 Technology in Veterinary Science: A New Frontier
Recognizing the rapid evolution of science and technology, President Murmu highlighted the transformative potential of technology in veterinary medicine. She encouraged the use of:
- Genome editing
- Embryo transfer technologies
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Big Data analytics
These tools, she said, could revolutionize diagnosis, treatment, breeding, and nutritional management, making animal care more effective and accessible across India.
She urged IVRI and similar institutions to prioritize low-cost, indigenous solutions, especially in nutrition and medication, to ensure minimal side effects for animals, humans, and the environment.
🎓 Guiding the Next Generation of Veterinary Professionals
President Murmu praised the graduates of IVRI for choosing to serve “innocent and voiceless” animals. She urged them to always remain compassionate and to reflect on their commitment whenever faced with difficult choices in life and career.
She also called upon young veterinary professionals to become entrepreneurs and establish start-ups in animal science, thus creating employment opportunities and contributing to India’s growing rural economy.
📢 Concluding Message: A Future Rooted in Compassion and Innovation
The President concluded her address by emphasizing that compassionate action, scientific innovation, and indigenous wisdom are the pillars upon which India’s veterinary future must stand. She expressed hope that the students of IVRI would emerge not just as veterinarians, but as custodians of animal welfare and agents of sustainable change.
With this visionary address, President Murmu reaffirmed the essential link between veterinary science and India’s broader developmental journey, urging a collective commitment to the health of all life forms and the planet.
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
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