New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) director P. Venugopal retired on Wednesday after being associated with the top medical college and hospital for 49 years, and said it was "difficult to digest" that he won't come to office from on Thursday.

"From an MBBS student to a professor to its director, my association with AIIMS is quite long. It's difficult for me to think that I won't come to office tomorrow. But that is reality and I need to get over it," an emotional Venugopal said.

The eminent cardiologist who was embroiled in a legal tussle with central Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss for the past three years called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his last day in office.

"I have no grudge against anyone. I have achieved whatever I wanted to. The institute is one of the best in the world and on my last day, I wish it all the best," he told reporters.

Sporting his trademark blue stripe full shirt, the renowned cardiologist said he had no regrets.

"In total, I express a sense of fulfillment and I still feel if given an opportunity I would like to be reborn for the service of humanity through AIIMS," he said.

He said he was indebted to top lawyers like Maninder Singh and Arun Jaitley, who is also a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, for their "legal help" in wining a court battle against Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who sacked him in November 2007.

The Supreme Court cancelled the government order and reinstated Venugopal as director in May this year.

Indirectly hitting out at Ramadoss, he expressed his gratitude towards judiciary "for upholding the truth and honesty, and preserving the dignity and honour of medical profession".

Venugopal has been in news for the last three years - first over his alleged role in fuelling an agitation against 27 percent reservation for other backward classes (OBCs) and then for his face-off with Ramadoss. IANS