September 30, 2009
Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi Campus
 
On September 16, 2009, 60 final-year students from the Amrita School of Dentistry at Kochi had something special awaiting them. On that day, they were to travel to Amritapuri to receive their degree completion certificates from Chancellor Amma. It wasn’t the first time they were meeting Amma. In the first year of their studies, they had received Amma’s darshan in Amritapuri; several students had returned to Amritapuri many times after that, especially to take part in annual celebrations. But this time was special; this trip was to mark a major milestone in the lives of these students.
 

 
“It was a much awaited moment in my life,” shared final-year student Radhika Radhakrishnan later. Radhika Radhakrishnan joined the Amrita School of Dentistry in 2004. Today, on September 30, together with the rest of her classmates, she has completed the 5-year B.D.S. program and will begin her internship tomorrow. Dr. Radhika feels that the medical profession today needs the love and kindness that Amma personifies. “Amma was the best person to award us our certificates. I am sure this would remain as a memorable experience my entire life,” she said.
 
Amrita started offering B.D.S. (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) in 2003. One batch of students has already graduated, Dr. Radhika’s is the second batch to graduate. Added her classmate Dr. Dheeraj Sudhir, “I am proud to be a doctor who has studied at this institution that is blessed by Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Amma. It was an honor for me to receive my degree completion certificate from Amma.” Chimed in classmate Dr. Kannan Venugopal, “It was a wonderful moment in my life. I have been waiting for this, all these years.”
 
These students, nay doctors, will now undergo a six month optional rotating internship. Most will enter private practice; a few will go on to pursue postgraduate studies. “A moment before Amma handed me my degree certificate, the past five years flashed through my mind,” explained Dr. Ajeesha Nair, also of the graduating batch of students. “It was indeed a great experience to receive my graduation certificate from our beloved Amma. With her blessings, we all have become doctors now.” We congratulate the new doctors and wish them much success.