•Coomi Kapoor: Dr Ramadoss, would you agree that you are the most controversial Health Minister we’ve had—the AIIMS tussle, your attempts to ban smoking, your criticism of actors for smoking in public and your desire to legalise homosexuality?

Ramadoss: I am not a controversial person but I am not afraid of controversies. Between 1998 and 2004, there were six health ministers in six years. Health was not given much prominence in the last few decades—it was a quiet ministry. As a doctor and someone who has travelled a lot, I want to replicate the changes I see around the world in India. We all know how difficult it is to bring about any change in Indian society because we have a mindset that is impossible to change. It takes a lot of perseverance and sometimes it results in controversies. My initial months as Health Minister were very stressful. I am a very quiet, shy guy. So I shunned criticism and did my job.

Before I took over, the health ministry was in poor shape. But now it has changed for the better. For instance, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)—if I ever want to be remembered for my work it will be NRHM and not the anti-tobacco activity. NRHM is the fastest expanding public health programme in the world. I eat, sleep and dream this programme. It is like a silent revolution. Bihar, for example, had an average patient attendance of 40 two years ago. After NRHM, it is 4,000. From 40 to 4,000 in two years is no joke.

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