New Delhi, Mar. 2: Rufaida College of Nursing, Jamia Hamdard organized its 26th Lamp Lighting & Oath Taking Ceremony for B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing and DGNM 1st year students at Convention Centre, Jamia Hamdard, here Friday. A total of 138 students of first-year B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing and DGNM participated in the ceremony.
The Lamp Lighting & Oath Taking Ceremony is held to pay tribute to Florence Nightingale, “The Lady with the Lamp” who was the pioneer of modern-day nursing. The students light the lamps and take the Florence Nightingale pledge, promising to uphold ethical standards and thus formally recognizing the entry into the nursing profession.
Mr. Ajay Choudhary, IPS, Special Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police was the Chief Guest of the programme and Guest of Honour was Dr. Latha Venkatesan, Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS, New Delhi.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Holy Quran by Imam Sahib, Rabia Mosque, followed by Hamdard Tarana, intoned by nursing students.
Prof. Shakir Ali, Dean, School of Nursing Sciences & Allied Health, Jamia Hamdard, in his address, highlighted the existence of Rufaida College of Nursing as a premier institute in the field of Nursing for the past four decades, since its inception in 1983. He congratulated the students for their decision to join nursing profession and to be trained to care for the sick and wounded persons. He motivated them to embrace moral and ethical values in order to serve mankind and grow in their profession.
It was followed by the presentation of annual report by Prof. Veena Sharma, Principal, Rufaida College of Nursing. She highlighted key milestones achieved by the college in academics and research.
Dr. M. A. Sikandar, Registrar, Jamia Hamdard, emphasized the comprehensive and enriching educational experience of the campus, the dedicated faculty providing mentorship and the hands-on clinical experiences that equip the students of Jamia Hamdard with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to excel in their nursing careers. He further mentioned that by pursuing nursing at Jamia Hamdard, students not only gain a solid foundation in nursing theory and practice but also cultivate a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and professionalism that are hallmarks of the nursing profession and thus making meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.
It was followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the dignitaries. The light was passed on to the students by Ms. Jamal Fatima Hashmi and Dr. Shilpi Sarkar, Assistant Professors, Rufaida College of Nursing. Ms. Fareha Khan, Assistant Professor, Rufaida College of Nursing, administered the Florence Nightingale oath to the students.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. Latha Venkatesan, Professor cum Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS, New Delhi, in her address, stated that nursing stands as a noble profession, dedicated to the service of humanity. The roots of nursing trace back to ancient times, woven intricately into the fabric of human civilization, developing over times. She emphasized that the Indian Nursing Council has introduced a new syllabus, reflecting the evolving nature of healthcare with a significant demand for trained and qualified nurses globally. She motivated the students to develop an attitude to work unitedly with fellow nurses, leading them even in difficult conditions and to embrace nursing skills and art of caring throughout their entire professional life.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Ajay Choudhary, IPS, Special Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, in his address remarked that nurses are often the first point of contact for patients in need, providing not just medical care, but also compassion, support, and comfort during times of vulnerability and distress, thus holding a place of respect and admiration in society. He mentioned the crucial role of nurses in safeguarding public health and safety, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks like Covid-19 and other medical emergencies. He also appreciated students for choosing one of the premier institutes of the country which excels not only in quality, but also represents ‘True India’ through its cultural diversity. He extended wishes to the students for success in both academic pursuits and nursing careers and to spread warmth and healing in the darkest corners.
The Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard, Prof. M. Afshar Alam, in his presidential address, remarked that nurses, the unwavering pillars of healthcare, contribute significantly to the welfare of society. Irrespective of the time, they humbly serve patients with utmost dedication and unwavering patience, always prioritizing their patients’ health and well-being. He also emphasized that Jamia Hamdard provides a great learning experience under expert teaching faculty with various opportunities to engage in community building activities, co-curricular activities and research. The University is actively associating with well-known companies for research work, projects, training, internship and recruitment. He ensured that the university is there to support, sustain and stimulate students to achieve their goals.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Gifty Bijoy, Tutor, Rufaida College of Nursing. The ceremony came to an end with the national anthem.
