Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Mar 16: Athena Institute of Health Sciences celebrated its graduation day and 20th anniversary of Athena Hospital with a splendid ceremony at Town Hall here on Thursday March 16.
Addressing the gathering, founder and managing director of Daijiworld Walter Nandalike, who was the chief guest, said, "I congratulate all the graduates of MSc, BSc and nursing as your hardwork and commitment has paid off today and you have reached a very important stage in your life. I also congratulate R S Shettian and family on the completion of 20 glorious years of Athena Hospital.
"I consider myself fortunate to be here, not because I have been invited here as chief guest, but because I got the opportunity to be among youngsters who have chosen to do God's work. I feel nursing is the most blessed and noblest profession, where you care for yourself less, and take care of others more.
"As a nurse, you are expected to go above and beyond for your patients and sometimes their families, at the expense of your own needs. You brace yourself to work for long hours without a moment's rest, and sometimes even without food. And you do it all with a big smile on your face and warmth in your words, and that's what makes nurses the kindest persons on this earth," he added.
He further said, "You have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in somebody’s life every day that you go to work. We see many a time, a patient who recovers from sickness gives credit to the doctor, saying, "the doctor saved me", but hardly we hear anyone say 'a nurse saved me'! Doctors indeed deserve due credit, but I personally feel that without dedicated contribution from Nurses, a patient cannot come out from hospital fully recovered. The nurse's job is never easy - taking care of several patients at a time, some of them needing special attention round the clock, requires superhuman effort. I admire the way nurses go about their work with such a perfect blend of efficiency and humanity.
"I thank your parents for allowing you to choose God's work as your profession. They see dreams in you and it is your duty to make them proud. Your teachers, support staff in the institutions have sacrificed a lot to shape you and to see this successful day. Always remember them in your prayers, be grateful to everyone who has helped you reach this stage. When you go out from this institution as a nursing professional, remember that you are blessed. Remember that in exchange for those blessings, you must give something back," he advised the graduates.
Associate dean of Manipal College of Nursing Dr Prof Judith A Noronha said, "I am happy to be part of the programme. I congragulate all the graduates and the administration of Athena Hospital on completing 20 years. I have come across cases where students say parents pushed them into this profession, but actually, it is god's call to make you work in this profession where you care for others. Teaching and nursing are the only professions where you spend more time on the welfare of others, and help patients to recover from sickness. Youngsters have the great responsibilty of not exploiting the profession."
Chairman of Athena Institute of Health Science R S Shettian said, "Today we are celebrating 20 years of Athena Hospital. I thank every doctor of Mangaluru for the support and encouragement in making Athena one among the best hospitals in Mangaluru. The hardwork and dedication of the employees needs to be remebered. Today is the day which has been gifted by god, where you are a step ahead in reaching your destiny. Nursing has the sole purpose of serving humanity and it has been called a noble proffession. Profession that serves humanity is the best education. Nursing is a life long learning process, where you bring smiles on the faces of patients."
A total of 114 students of MSc, PB BSc, BSc nursing and GNM graduated on the occasion.
Lavita compered the programme.
Vice-principal of Athena Institute of Health Sciences Dr Sr Alfonso welcomed the gathering.
Principal of Athena Institute of Health Sciences Prof Sr Jacintha D Souza presented the annual report of the college.