The Department of Health Research (DHR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) celebrated the 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, at ICMR Headquarters, V. Ramalingaswami Bhawan in New Delhi. The event was marked by patriotic fervor and featured a flag hoisting ceremony conducted by Dr Rajiv Bahl, who serves as both Secretary of DHR and Director General of ICMR.
Senior officials including Ms Richa Khoda, Joint Secretary of DHR, and Mr Vivek Kumar Daksh, Senior Deputy Director General (Administration), were present along with scientists, researchers, and staff members. In his address, Dr Bahl emphasized the critical role of health research and innovation in strengthening the nation's development and healthcare ecosystem, stating that their work represents a contribution to nation-building rather than merely a job.
Dr Bahl specifically highlighted that scientific excellence, innovation, and development of indigenous health technologies are essential for building a resilient and self-reliant healthcare system. He called upon the ICMR community to continue working toward solutions that improve healthcare accessibility and address the evolving health needs of the country, with the goal of making India a global leader in medical research and innovation.
The celebrations included a prize distribution ceremony for winners of Essay Writing and Quiz Competitions that had been conducted earlier in the month. These competitions were organized to encourage creativity, knowledge, active participation, and engagement among DHR-ICMR officials and staff. The event concluded with a renewed call to the scientific and administrative community to strive for excellence in biomedical research, foster innovation, and contribute toward Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in health technologies while strengthening India's position as a global leader in medical research and healthcare innovation.