Protests Over National Medical Commission Logo

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently changed its logo, which has sparked a controversy among the medical fraternity.

The new logo features a colourful image of Dhanvantri, an avatar of Lord Vishnu who is considered the god of Ayurveda in Hindu mythology.
The new logo also replaces the word ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’, and does not include the national emblem.

NMC officials justify Dhanvantri's presence in the logo as a representation of India's rich cultural and mythological heritage in the field of medicine.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) contends that the revised logo may promote a specific religion and ideology, prompting the IMA to express reservations about religious symbolism in the visual identity of a vital medical institution.
- IMA argues that the logo of any national institution ought to capture the aspirations of all our citizens in an equal manner and by remaining neutral in all respects thereby eliminating any possibility of any part or section of the society feeling aggrieved in any manner.
The logo change is also seen as disrespect to the constitution, as it undermines the secular and democratic values of the country.
The logo change is also seen as a contradiction to the scientific and evidence-based nature of the modern medical system, as it promotes a mythical and unproven system of Ayurveda.

Dhanvantri is revered as the deity associated with Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine in Hinduism.
- Dhanvantri symbolizes healing, well-being, and the restoration of health.
Typically depicted with four hands, carrying medicinal herbs and the sacred pot, Dhanvantri is an iconic figure in the realm of health and medicine in Hindu culture.

NMC is the apex regulatory body for medical education and practice in India.
NMC was established in 2020 by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI).
NMC consists of four autonomous boards: the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board, the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board, and the Ethics and Medical Registration Board.
NMC also has a Medical Advisory Council, which advises the commission on matters related to medical education and practice.
NMC is responsible for conducting and overseeing major screening tests, such as NEET-UG, NEET-PG, and FMGE.
NMC also regulates the standards and quality of medical education and training, the registration and ethics of medical practitioners, and the assessment and rating of medical institutions.
NMC has also achieved the prestigious World Federation for Medical Education(WFME) recognition, which means that the medical degrees awarded by the NMC are recognized globally.
- The WFME was founded in 1972 by the World Medical Association, the World Health Organization, and other organizations.

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