Venkateswara Nursing College (VNC), Thalambur, Chennai:: A state-level workshop on ‘The Nursing Process: Delivering Quality Care’ was organised on 5 Dec 2009 which was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Dr N Jaya, Principal I/c CON, MMC, Chennai. She stressed that Nursing Process is a key component in health care and therefore the relevance of this workshop. Dr Ishari K Ganesh, Chancellor Vel’s University, Chairman-Founder Vel’s Group highlighted the importance of being a nurse in the society to provide quality care. Dr N Jaya, Dr Prasanna Baby, CON, CMC, Chengalpet, Prof Kamala Subbian, Principal & Prof Irin Praveen, Vice Principal, Mrs J Lakshmi and Mrs Sooriya Shri. Lecturers of VNC addressed the issues like Nursing Assessment; Nursing Diagnosis; Implementation, Evaluation, Documentation and Reporting. Participation certificate were awarded and feedback was obtained. The programme ended with the National anthem. Sri Gokulam College of Nursing, Salem (TN) : A national level seminar on ‘Psychiatric Emergencies’ was organised by MSc (N) and BSc (N) students on 11 Dec 2009. Prof Mrs Lalitha, Head, Psychiatric Nursing Dept welcomed the gathering followed by the inaugural address by the Chief Guest Mr John Nicholson, IPS, Dy Commr of Police, Salem City. It was presided over by Dr K Arthanari, Managing Trustee of Sri Gokulam CON. The theme was unfolded by Prof A Jayasudha, Principal and a special address was given by Dr Lalitha, Prof & Head, Dept of Nursing, NIMHANS, Bangalore. It was revealed that global mortality rate of suicide is 16/ 100000 (1 death per 40 seconds). In India, 1 lakh people die by suicide every year. Every year, over 1.6 million people worldwide lose their lives to violence. The experts addressing the seminar were of the view that emergency psychiatry has become a challenging field in the face of rise in incidence of violence, rape, abuse, addiction, murder and suicide in our society. It is therefore essential to have in place an effective and prompt emergencies care system to stabilise the emergency conditions and also to lessen the burden on routine services. A total of 316 delegates from various institutions from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu attended the Seminar. Bishop Benziger Nursing College, Kollam (Kerala): The graduation ceremony of the first batch of BSc Nursing students was held on 7 Mar 2010 in the college auditorium. Dr Mohandas, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Health & Allied Sciences, Thrissur, the chief guest of the day, inaugurated the function. Rt Rev Dr Stanley Roman, Bishop of Quilon, presided. Prof Sr Gilbert, First Vice President, TNAI and Principal Sanjoe College of Nursing, Perumbavoor) and Mrs Gracy Mathai, Chief Operating Officer, MIMS Hospital, Kottakkal, gave the keynote address. Dr K Andrews, Principal Karmala Rani Training Centre and Syndicate & Senate Member, Univ of Kerala, Rt Rev Msgr David Kandathil, Manager of the College, Fr Stephen Kulakayathil, Secy-General, KRLCC, and Dr Praveen Namboodiri, Consultant Nephrologist, Bishop Benziger Hospital, were the other dignitaries present and felicitated the graduating batch. Rt Rev Msgr Ferdinand Peter, Director of the College, welcomed the audience and Prof Mini George, Principal proposed the vote of thanks. The message from Shri Ommen Chandy, Hon’ble leader of Opposition, Kerala Assembly, was read during the function. Mannai Narayanasamy College of Nursing, Mathur, Thanjavur: Lamp lighting ceremony was held on 24 Feb 2010. The programme began by lighting of the Kuthuvillaku by Mrs Mageswari, Vice Chairman of Mannai Narayanasamy Educational Trust (MNET). Welcome address was given by Prof Mrs Arulselvi, Principal. The dignitaries led the traditional lamp. The president of the function Ms Dhanalakshmi, Principal, Mannai Narayanasamy School of Nursing, Thanjavur, read the Florence Nightingale pledge. The chief guest Shri T Chozharajan, Chairman, Mannai Narayanasamy Educational Trust, Thanjavur gave the presidential address. Mrs Meenakshi, Vice Principal, Kundavaii School of Nursing, Thanjavur lighted the lamp and dedicated the nursing services to the public. Dr Thiyagaran, Chairman, Kundavaii School of Nursing, felicitated the freshers and recapitulated the contribution of Florence Nightingale at Crimean War. Mr Jayabalan, Managing Director, MNET, Thanjavur gave a special message to the students. Vote of thanks was given by Mr Joseph, Administrative Officer, MNET, Thanjavur. The programme ended with the National anthem.