New Delhi: If answer is yes, it should certainly be Dr Rajvardhan Azad, former eye specialist in AIIMS’s RP centre. Dr Azad, son of former CM of Bihar, late Sri Bhagwat Jha Azad, being nominated in Vidhan Parishad has triggered this speculation. Bihar watchers say there is more than meets the eye in this action of Nitish Kumar.
The great reputation that Dr Azad earned as a compassionate, true healer and patient friendly ophthalmologist in AIIMS makes him the most eligible health minister candidate if CM of Bihar is on the lookout for one. Ex Chief of RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, New Delh, Dr Azad was even in the line of being chosen as Director of AIIMS, Delhi. This fact speaks a volume about why he could be an asset for Bihar as Health Minister.
The public healthcare in Bihar has been in shambles mainly because of lack of a credible, qualified and committed health Minister. The choice of Tejaswi Yadav as Health Minister, who has already much on the plate due to being scion of Lalu Yadav clan and who aspires for the top job as being the de facto boss of RJD, the dominant political formation in the state, points to lack of a worthy candidate for the very important ministry. Two health ministers preceding Tejaswi Yadav did not cover themselves in glory by their lackadaisical approach to their portfolio.
Nitish Kumar chose Dr Rajvardhan Azad as chairman of the revived Bihar State University Service Commission in March, 2019 for tenure of 3 years. His position was even extended for the next term. But just as vacancy in Vidhan Parished presented itself, in a swift action, Nitish Kumar, drafted Dr Azad as nominated member of Vidhan Parished. Dr Azad, in fact, was himself caught unawares.
People, who know CM from close quarters, are of the view that Nitish Kumar must have done it on purpose. One wonders what greater purpose could there be than wanting to make Dr Azad the health minister. They say this has brought Bihar at the cusp of getting a very worthy health minister who can streamline not so sorted public healthcare in the state. Dr Azad could prove a Midas touch to state’s health portfolio.
Dr Azad has been a well decorated and globally renowned Retina expert. The former chief and professor in RP Eye Centre (AIIMS), Dr Azad is recipient of prestigious B C Roy National Award for eminent medical teacher given by Medical Council of India in 1987. Dr Azad has been a globetrotter as expert of Retina and was instrumental in establishing Retina department in many countries. In the vein of ‘like father like son’ he has inherited poetic bent of mind form his illustrious late father. The collection of Dr Rajvardhan Azad’s poems ‘Poems on Board’ gives an insight into his persona as a human being.
Renowned former Eye Specialist in AIIMS being inducted in Vidhan Parishad has triggered Speculation
