My Dear Faculty, Medico heroes, all the Father Mullerian Students of all courses,

The entire world has been in chaos and you are aware. You know, since March 2020, medical education, like all others, has experienced disruptive change as a consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic and nation-wide lock-down which are unprecedented. Measures have led to the closure of medical schools and all institutions and have practically compelled a revolution with working from home for all. Almost all undergraduate students of medical colleges had to relocate to their homes; leaving their hostels just before the beginning of lock-down, of local, interstate, and international travel. All leaving behind routine didactic lecture classes, practicals, tutorials, seminars, clinical (ward, outpatient department [OPD], and OT) postings and internal assessment examinations. On the other hand, even the physical attendance of medical teachers/clinicians ceased. The world appears totally disturbed and uncertain. Now, we are better poised to accept and adjust in different ways.

Super strong base : What, all Mullerians must know and focus on is that this superlative institution, set up 140 years ago by it’s Founder Rev Fr. Augustus Muller SJ, a German Homeopath came into being when no modern medical aid and knowledge was existing here. Now well must focus on the fact that the roots of this great medical super power here, matured in a similar Pandemic situation during the Plague and Pestilence of 1918. Indeed a challenge that in the last 100 years has transfigured Rev. Fr Muller’s ad-hoc institute in to a mammoth modern medical super-specialty and education hub. So, let us all proceed from 2020 to 2021 with confidence and positive steps which the good Lord Almighty will guard and guide.

Fears cooled down : Earlier there were many apprehensions regarding seeing/treating Covid patients. Now more of acceptance is the norm and the stigma is loosing out. Now home isolation / self quarantining is the line followed. People have accepted it as another disease where more care to be given to vulnerable people in the family especially with comorbidity conditions. People have learnt to live with Corona. People have realized the value of health and also the need of health care professionals. We feel how inadequate we are to handle such pandemics! But now all have geared up to handle such pandemics. And we recall how our Founder and early stalwarts have battled and won the wars, now it is our turn and success will come to the courageous.

In the interim as a result of the tremendous initiative of the management and dedicated staff, a state-of-the-art environment and new infrastructure is created in a record manner. No expense or quality has been spared, and forces of providence have come forward to meet all needs with wisdom and blessing – it makes it imperative to have a positive mind and active effort to see miracles day to day.

Mullers excels : In the last few months the institutions here, in all facets have evolved and risen up to the occasion taking giant strides in all directions. Govt. guidelines and policies have been incorporated in the minute SOPs of the Institution, in the best standards available. What is needed today is to build a strong health care system on the pillars of best infrastructure, human resource and capacity building through teaching, training and research. We Mullerians aim to achieve our vision and mission. It is very encouraging in spite of this pandemic, fear, anxiety and the misconceptions. Many students for various health care courses like medical, nursing, para-medical and allied have newly joined. If all work together as a team, certainly we will achieve the sustainable developmental goals for our country, India. Health for all should be our concern and all should live a healthy life. “Health for all and health literacy for all” should be our slogan.

Wishing you all a healthy journey in Father Mullers. Congratulations to all our students who have joined Father Mullers. God bless you and your family members.

My one pointed appeal to each and every one is educate yourselves in the best practices to prevent and fight this COVID and follow all the guidelines sincerely from time to time, remember God watches all.

Wishing each and everyone of you a smooth health journey in Father Mullers. May the merciful Lord God, our Heavenly Father bless us with health of mind and body. May He keep you and your family safe throughout this year and many more years to come.

Dear Postgraduates and all students, I once again welcome you to our Institutions. May your journey be smooth filled with bountiful blessings of the Almighty. May God bless us all.

Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho
DIRECTOR, F.M.C.I.