Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 21: The lamp lighting and oath taking ceremony for the 21st batch of GNM and 20th batch of BSc (N) students of Athena Institute of Health Science was held on December 21 in the College Auditorium.
The Lamp Lighting ceremony is an auspicious occasion in every nurse’s life, held in reverence to Florence Nightingale “THE LADY WITH LAMP”. The Lamp Lighting ceremony began with the students marching forward to take their positions and be ready to accept the light. The programme started with the invocation of God’s presence with a prayer song rendered by 2ndSemester BSc (N) students.
The programme was presided over by R S Shettian, chairman, Athena Institute of Health Sciences and Prof Sr Dhanya Devasia, CNO, Father Muller Medical College Hospital was the chief guest. Asha Shettian, secretary, Dr Ashith Shettian, trustee, Prof Sr Deepa Peter, principal, Athena College of Nursing, Prof Sr Aileen Mathais, vice-principal, and Genevive Serrao and Fiona Picardo, class co-ordinaters shared the dais.
Nancy D’Silva, lecturer, Fundamentals of Nursing Department, welcomed the gathering, and dignitaries lighted the traditional lamp and inaugurated the programme. As a sign of honour and respect to the pioneer of modern nursing, the dignitaries paid a floral tribute to Florence Nightingale and chief guest
Prof Sr Dhanya Devasia lit the lamp and garlanded the portrait.
Prof Sr Aileen Mathias, vice principal, highlighted the significance of the ceremony to the nursing students. The dignitaries along with the senior faculty lit the lamps of 140 novice nursing students which symbolizes wisdom, knowledge and compassion towards mankind, followed by recitation of oath, where students pledge themselves to uphold the duties of a professional nurse administered by Prof Sr Deepa Peter, principal. The students’ melodious and soothing song “Choose to be a light” added solemnity to the ceremony.
Chief guest, in her message, stressed upon two main aspects. Firstly, “Let my care remove pain” which is focused on good knowledge, acquiring adequate skill and having proper attitude in order to alleviate pain. In the second aspect she emphasized on ‘nursing as a noble profession’ whereas nurses should have a single-minded goal and always ready to grab the opportunity and be true healthcare warriors.
R S Shettian, chairman, Athena Institute of Health Sciences. in his presidential address, said that as nurses they need to respond appropriately to the demands as per the changing society by developing clinical competence, and provide comprehensive healthcare.
The II semester nursing students presented a brief cultural programme. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Susan Subin, lecturer, Department of Nursing Foundation. The program was compered by Honey G, lecturer, Department of OBG Nursing.