Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 2: The 'Lamp Lighting and Oath Taking Ceremony' of the 62nd batch of GNM and 33rd batch of BSc Nursing students of Father Muller School and College of Nursing was held on January 2, at Father Muller Convention Centre- Mini hall. The programme commenced with a prayer song by the 2nd year GNM Nursing students followed by the 'Lamp Lighting Ceremony'.
Dr Sonia R B D’Souza, Professor Manipal College of Nursing was the chief guest of the ceremony. Sr Nancy Priya, College of Nursing delivered the welcome note. As a sign of honour and respect, the dignitaries offered flowers to the portraits of Florence Nightingale, founders of the nursing profession and late Fr Augustus Muller, founder of Father Muller Charitable Institutions.
Sr Janet D’Souza, chief nursing officer spoke on the significance of the day. The nursing elders lit the lamps of 131 novice nursing students which symbolized passing on the light of wisdom, knowledge and compassion, following which they vowed to uphold their duties as nursing professionals, by swearing an oath, administered by Dr Devina Rodrigues, vice-principal FMCON.
The chief guest, Prof Dr Sonia R B D’Souza, in her address to the gathering applauded the students for firstly choosing the nursing profession as their vocation and secondly for choosing the Father Muller Institution for their studies. With these two they will get their due recognition. She spoke on the three ills which a nurse should avoid namely, ignorance, emotional instability; negligence and the three behaviours nurses should adorn are presence of mind, the right attitude and effective communication.
Quoting Martin Luther Junior, 'Dark cannot remove darkness only light can, hate cannot remove hate, only love can', the lit lamp and the song sung will help drive out ignorance in society. Nursing is the only profession where the oath is administered in the first year unlike any other profession and hence also only called student nurse.
Fr Richard A Coelho, director of FMCI and president of the ceremony addressed the gathering doubling the dose of knowledge and advice to the new nurses. He emphasized the importance of empathy, discipline and commitment in a nursing vocation. "Jesus Christ being the only healer, nurse is the facilitator to healing on earth. In a USA survey, nurses are the most trusted professionals and most respected. The promise today you have taken in the name of God should always be remembered.
"The lethargy set in the nursing profession of late, due to its high demand has resulted in inefficient academic performances. Classroom learning is the best and more so from your teachers. Without hard work no one can be a professional, competency is acquired with interest alone and respect for life from the very beginning has to be maintained. Predominantly nursing profession was female dominant but now, men are joining the noble profession. The light lit today should not be blown out evermore; the oil of life should always be full and the body like the lamp to serve all."
A memento was gifted to the chief guest by Fr Richard A Coelho as a token of gratitude. Christmas carols were sung by the students, IInd year BSc and GNM nursing.
Jasmine Saritha Vas delivered the vote of thanks. Merlin Fernandes and Sonia D’Souza, lecturers, compered the programme.
Fr Rudolf Ravi D’Sa, administrator FMMCH, Fr Ajith Menezes, administrator of FMMC were present on the dais.
Fr Nelson Dheeraj Pais, assistant administrator, FMMCH, Fr Felix Monteiro, spiritual guide, FMCI, staff, students and parents witnessed the event.