Hosting any conference is a pleasurable though difficult task, requiring coordination at several
fronts. The Theme of 23rd SNA Biennial Conference hosted by West Bengal Branch of TNAI/ SNA
held during 28-30 October 2009 at Kolkata was, Quality Nursing Education : Right of Every Student.
The Conference Committee was led by Deputy Director, Health Services ( Nursing), West Bengal,
with Ms Madhabi Das as Conference Chairperson, Ms Bandana Das, Co-Chairperson and Ms Gayatri
Bandyopadhyay as Organising Secretary. Besides the Headquarters team headed by the Secretary-
General and Deputy Secretary General, other dignitaries participating in the Conference included:
First Vice-President, TNAI, Sr (Prof) Gilbirt and Mrs Rose Thomas, 3rd Vice-President, State
Branch Presidents & Secretaries, SNA Advisers, along with Branch SNA Vice-Presidents,
Secretaries and participants. SNA members and TNAI members representing most of the states of
the country attended the conference.
Proceedings of Pre-Inaugural Sessions
Sports for Men and Women
| Race |
: 100 meters : Female - 1st Kerala; 2nd Maharashtra; 3rd Tamil Nadu
Male - 1st Madhya Pradesh; 2nd Kerala; 3rd Tamil Nadu |
| Javelin Throw |
: Female - 1st Tamil Nadu; 2nd Meghalaya; 3rd Orrisa
Male - 1st Panjab, 2nd Kerela; 3rd Tamil Nadu |
| Discuss Throw |
: Female - 1st Kerela; 2nd Mezoram; 3rd Madhya Pradesh
Male - 1st Chhattrishgarh; 2nd Kerela; 3rd Madhya Pradesh |
Competition on Health Education: 1st Kerela; 2nd Madhyay Pradesh; 3rd Punjab
SNA General Committing Meeting was held on 28 October 2009. Half of the same day was kept for
SNA Orientation, panel discussion on career opportunities and discussion on issues of ANM
students. Sr ( Prof) Gilbart, Mrs Nanthini Subbiah and Mrs Harshall Shegaonkar (Hony Secretary
- ANM&M) conducted the sessions.
Night of 28th belonged to students totally. Responsibility of entertainment was with the students
of host state. Hidden talents of many students for acting, dancing, singing were evident. A conceptual
dance drama was presented with message for the society.
Inaugural Session
The programme was inaugurated on 29th October 2009 at 10 am in the Yuva Bharati Krirangan
Auditorium, Kolkata, by Dr Ashim Dasgupta, Hon’ble Minister of Finance and Excise, Government
of West Bengal, as the Chief Guest, by lighting the Ceremonial Lamp after invocation by SNA
members . The dignitaries of the dias included Dr Tapas Banerjee, Addl DHS, West Bengal as Guest
of Honour, Mr T Dileep Kumar, Nursing Advisor to the Govt of India & President, Indian Nursing
Council ; Sr (Prof) Gilbert, Mrs Rose Thomas , Mrs Shiela Seda, Secretary-General, TNAI, Mrs
Nanthini Subbiah, National SNA Advisor & Dy Secretary-General , TNAI, Ms Madhabi Das,
Conference Chairperson & Dy DHS (Nursing), West Bengal.
In his inaugural address Hon’ble Minister, Dr Ashim Dasgupta stressed the importance of quality
care for patients and community, and expressed his concern for improvement of Nursing Service
cadre, and endorsed creation of the post of Joint Director Health Services (Nursing). He also
promised to look after the long standing demands of nursing personnel. Dr Dasgupta also expressed
his concern for filling up all vacant pots of Nursing including teachers of Schools and Colleges of
Nursing in the state. He urged the members of this profession to continue improving their service
to patients and community along with prevention of diseases and rehabilitation.
Other features of this session were: warm welcome address by State SNA Vice- President, Smt
Arpita Mishra, welcome by State TNAI President & Conference Organising Secretary Ms Gayatri
Bandyopadhyay, messages of significant personalities and Mr AB Kulkarni, President TNAI (who
had to miss the programme at the last minute for unavoidable circumstances, his message was
read out by State SNA Secretary Ms Barnali Hui) and State TNAI Secretary Mrs Maya Sengupta.
Introduction to SNA and its goal, activities etc. was given by Mrs Nanthini Subbiah. Mr T Dileep
Kumar unfolded the theme, “Quality Nursing Education: Right of Every Student”. He appealed to
each member of the profession and budding professionals to be quality conscious, and ensure
quality orientation and human rights in consumer-driven society. The quest is for the best quality
services in each area of health care also, he said. He also highlighted the necessity of strengthening
nursing manpower and institutions to fulfill the need of the present society. Mr T Dileep Kumar
applauded the Chief Guest for his true concern for nurses at large. In her presidential address, Sr
(Prof) Gilbert, 1st Vice- President TNAI appreciated the choice of theme, stating that the need for
quality cannot be over emphasised. Dr Tapas Banerjee, Addl DHS (Admn), West Bengal, graced
the occasion as a Special Guest and released the Souvenir published for the Conference. Ms Bandana
Das, Conference Co-chairperson & Principal, College of Nursing, Calcutta Medical College proposed
vote of thanks. The programme concluded with nation anthem.
Post-Inaugural Session, 29 October 2009
After refreshment, the Roll Call of participants was taken by Dy Secy-General TNAI. The report of
the State SNA Activities were presented by the State SNA Secretaries. Spontaneous donations of
purse was an interesting event to watch. Mrs .Rose Thomas was delighted to receive purses from
the Units of the States and from the individuals, this was followed by lunch session.
Post-lunch Sessions
National SNA Adviser’s report and reports of State SNA activities were presented under the
Chairmanship of Sr (Prof) Gilbert in the Business Session 1. Ms Subha Dasgupta, Ex-Principal,
Govt College of Nursing , Kolkata gave the keynote address in Plenary Session 1. Her lively discussion
was on the sub-theme,”Bridging the Gaps in Nursing Education and Practice”. Mr John Paul,
Student Nurse, College of Nursing, Madras Medical College, Chennai presented his study on the
theme, emphasing on the objectives, needs, relevance to students including lacunae in Nursing
Education and Practice. It was thought-provoking as well as satisfying to note the depth and
practical observation of students in the field of Nursing Education and practice. Even teachers
had many points to remember for their own development.
Talent Night Competition demonstrated the variety of talents, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and
varied capabilities of nursing students of our country.
Personality Test Competition was there to select Mr SNA and Ms SNA. Mr. SNA was from
Karnataka and Runners from Orissa. Ms. SNA was from Bhapi, Gujarat and Runners- Meghalaya.
Variety Entertainment could go on throughout the night if allowed.
Mr. SNA : Mr. Rony John, Kerala. 1st Runner up : Mr. Khraw Rupar, Meghalaya; 2nd Runner up : Mr
Bhabani Shankar Triparhy.
Ms SNA : Miss Florence : G D’Janza, Gujarat; 1st Runner up : Miss Sijin M Kozy, Madhya Pradesh;
2nd Runner up : Miss Pooja Pradhan, Maharashtra.
30 October, 2009
The Plenary Session II on the Sub began with the theme, “Competency-Based Nursing Education”.
In her key note address, Dr Mridula Khanikar, Principal, College of Nursing, Regional Medical
College, Guwahati, stressed the importance of competency for rendering quality patient care with
adequate, appropriate and accurate scientific knowledge, skills and attitude. She also stressed the
need to take challenges of the advancement in the health care field as human nurses and not as
robot or machine. Scientific paper on the same was presented by Ms. Pratiksha Ugande, student
nurse, LTMG Hospital, Mumbai.
Third Plenary Session was on sub theme, “Effective Clinical learning Environment”. In the key
note address, Ms Molly KT, Principal, Amritha College of Nursing Kochi, Kerala underscored the
role of teachers in clinical learning, and how a teacher makes tremendous difference in a student
as well as in the clinical learning field. She emphasised that it is the clinical field which prepares
nurses to serve the humanity according to the need. The clinical learning environment should be
conductive and ideal learning situation. Ms. Jinsu Ann Sabu, student nurse, Samaritan College of
Nursing, Ernakulam (Kerala), presented the paper in this connection. Participation of audience
including dignitaries after the session proved the excellence of presentation on the study conducted
by the student. After the open discussion, the Business Session II began under the Chairmanship
of Sr (Prof) Gilbert, who talked about associations, achievements, and aspirations along with
expectations from TNAI and SNA members. Mrs Nanthini Subbiah presented the SNA General
Committee Decisions and Resolutions in terms of benefits for SNA members and Advisors.
Valedictory Session
The session began with invocation by SNA members of West Bengal. The chief guest was Addl Chief
Secretary, Govt of West Bengal, Mr Samar Ghosh and special guest Prof (Dr) PK Deb, Vice Chancellor,
University of Health Sciences, West Bengal, who were offered bouquets of flowers by Ms Madhabi
Das, Deputy Director of Health Services (Nursing). The conference resume was presented by Ms
Anjana Sen, Chairperson, Programme Committee. Sr (Prof) Gilbert gave the chairperson’s remark.
Mr Samir Ghosh outlined the significance of conference, role of association, and emphasised the
need for quality in the field of nursing education and ensuring the same as students’ right. He hoped
for better quality of nurses in the health care setting at all levels. Prof (Dr) PK Deb, in her speech,
pointed at the good effort and achievement of nurses in the health care setting.
In this session, West Bengal State Branch felicitated two distinguished senior nurses of the
nation who are living in West Bengal: Dr (Miss) Aparna Bhaduri and Miss Hasmath Haque, both of
whom had served RAK College of Nursing, New Delhi. After retirement they continued to serve at
various nursing education institutes. Dr. Bhaduri worked at MAHE, Manipal as Dean and still
continues to do research and teach M.Sc. Nursing students. Miss Haque taught at BM Birla Heart
Research Centre as part time Lecturer, besides serving as member of West Bengal Nursing Council.
For health reason, Miss Haque could not be present at felicitation ceremony.
This session was followed by Prize Distribution by Chief Guest, Special Guest and dignitaries on
dias. Students were honoured to receive prizes from them. Special prizes were given - State SNA
Biennium Diary Evaluation 2006/07/08 : Kerala, Delhi, Meghalaya, Chhatisgarh. ANM : Orissa.
State SNA Biennial Best Performance Award : Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi.
Mrs. Shiela Seda, Secretary-General, TNAI, proposed the vote of thanks and gratitude to the
Chief Guest, Special Guest, distinguished guests and all delegates and others making the conference
a success. The session and the Conference officially ended with national anthem.
Post-conference Session
Post-conference meeting with all the Chairpersons and Co-chairpersons was held for self evaluation of
each committee. All of them presented their report and also mentioned the weak areas which could be
tackled more effectively in future. Sr Gilbert suggested many points for improvement. It was observed
that there could have been greater involvement of SNA members in the Conference. Chairpersons
gave the actual figure worked behind curtain, especially for reception section as many students worked
but not seen in picture. Cultural programmes by SNA members were also appreciated.
The Conference ended de facto on 31 October 2009, after sightseeing of Kolkata by the willing
delegates.
One special expression of thanks from Organising Committee need to be stated for Mr AB
Kulkarni, President,TNAI, who could not make it possible to be in person but made his unseen
presence with best wishes, blessings and heart-felt feeling conveyed to the organisers from time to
time during the period of conference.
Ms Rama Bishnu Roy
Chairperson, Reception Committee & Co-chairperson, Souvenir Committee
