Mercy Hospital, School of Nursing, Valokom, Kollam (Kerala) : The lamp lighting ceremony of XI batch of GNM students was held on 12 Jan 2010. Mrs Somavally A Nair, Principal, welcomed the guest and gathering. Dr Terry Edson inaugurated the function and Mrs NG Vijaya Lekshmi, Principal, lighted the lamp and delivered the message of the day. Dr PV Alexander, MD, Mercy Hospital gave the presidential address. The students were felicitated by Mr Alexander Jacob and Rev George T Kurian. Mrs Sara Jacob, Nursing Suptdt administered the nurses’ pledge to the new comers. The programme was compered by Ms Shema Mariam George, Vice Principal and Mrs Jessy Varghese, Nursing Tutor. The function concluded with vote of thanks by Mrs Feby Fulgen, Nursing tutor. The other highlights of the programme included a cultural event by the students. Ganga College and School of Nursing, Coimbatore (TN) : First year students of BSc (N) and GNM got their lamps lit from Mrs Kanakavalli Shanmuganathan, Managing Director, Ganga Hospital and took their Nursing Pledge on 8 Jan 2010 from Mrs Z Bhagyawathi, Principal, Ganga School of Nursing. The occasion was presided over by Dr JG Shanmunathan, Founder, Ganga Inst of Health Sciences. Dr S Prakash, MD & Head of Kalaignar Insurance Scheme, Chennai was the Guest of Honour and Dr G Josephine, Registrar, Tamil Nadu Nurses & Midwives Council, Chennai was the Chief guest. They both addressed the budding professionals. Special address was given by Dr S Raja Sabapathy, Head, Dept of Plastic Surgery, Ganga Hospital and Dr S Rajasekaran, Head, Dept of Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery, Ganga Hospital. The Capping ceremony marked not only the completion of studies for the GNM students but also an entry into the profession as a staff nurse. This event was governed by Mrs Nirmala Rajasabapathy, Director Ganga Hospital. Mrs Rama Rajasekaran, Director of Ganga Inst of Health Sciences. A feast and treat for the ears and eyes was hosted by the students, in form of music and dance. The ceremony came to an end after Mrs Esther John, Principal, Ganga College of Nursing thanked one and all. Chengalpattu Government College of Nursing, Chengalpattu (TN) : Inauguration of BSc (Nursing) programme and lamp lighting ceremony of Basic BSc batch students was held on 16 Dec 2009. The programme was inaugurated by Thiru VK Subburaj, IAS, Principal Secy, H&FW Dept, Govt of Tamil Nadu as the chief guest. After the prayer song, welcome speech was given by Mrs N Sathyanarayani, Nsg Tutor of the College. Dr Shanmugam, Dean, Chengalpattu Medical College presided over the function. Prof Dr Vinayagam, MD, Director of Medical Education, Guest of honour, opened the Nightingale photo. Lighted lamps to the freshers were distributed by Mrs P Sarojini, Jt Director of Medical Education (Nsg). Nightingale Pledge was recited by Dr Prasannababy, Principal of the College of Nursing, who also presented the college report. Nursing faculty of College of Nursing, School of Nursing, and Chengalpattu Medical College and Hospitals, besides students and parents attended the programme. Chief guest emphasised the importance of lamp lighting in nursing profession which removes the darkness in health care. After culturals, Mr R Shanker Shanmugam, Nsg Tutor, proposed the vote of thanks. The programme concluded with the national anthem BLDEA’s Institute of Nursing Sciences, Bijapur, Belgaum : The cultural programme, Milan 2010 ‘Together lets rock…till we drop’ was organised on 11 Feb 2010. Prof Sudha A Raddi, Chief Guest, graced the occasion. The function was presided over by Shri GA Kshirasagar, Principal. SNA Advisor, Mr Dileep Natekar was also present. The programme began with invocation followed by lighting of the lamp to mark the start of Milan 2010, which was anchored by Mr Shireesh Shindhe, Lecturer, Ms Frincy Francis, and Mr Mahaveer Kore, both Asst Lecturers. The winners of various sports and cultural events were given prizes. A sumptuous dinner was served at the end of the annual day celebrations.