President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the significance of hospitals embodying the spirit of selfless service and compassion towards humanity during her address at the 27th anniversary celebration of the Divine Heart Foundation in Lucknow on Monday.

She praised the Divine Heart Foundation for aligning its mission with the noble cause of serving humanity, emphasising the commendable ethos of humanitarian service.

Addressing the gathering, President Murmu urged healthcare professionals to raise awareness about heart health among the public.

She stressed that while hospitals can treat a hundred or even thousands of individuals, spreading awareness can benefit thousands more.

President Murmu expressed optimism that affordable medical facilities will be provided to citizens, contributing to the creation of a healthy and prosperous India.

President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, acknowledging the deep connection he shared with the people of Lucknow. She credited him for his exceptional leadership, both as a representative and as a prime minister.

“Vajpayee’s profound impact on democracy and his invaluable contributions to the city of Lucknow were recognised and appreciated,” she said.

President Murmu shared her observations about the cultural richness of Varanasi in the morning and the charm of Awadh in the evening.

Despite being from Odisha and lacking deep knowledge of Hindi, she appreciated the inclusive use of the term “hum” (we) by the local people, emphasising how this sense of belonging to a community contributes to fostering the Indian identity.

She commended the participants for their diverse backgrounds, including different religions, castes, regions, states and beliefs, while still upholding a unified Indian identity.

The programme commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by esteemed guests, including Governor Anandiben Patel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.