Allahabad 26^th January, 2014: A colourful and spectacular ceremony of Graduation and Lamp Lighting as well as Capping was held at the Nazareth Hospital School of Nursing today. Most Rev Dr Raphy Manjaly, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allahabad was the Chief Guest and Padma Shree Dr Paul B Thaliath, Dy Director, Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital was the Guest of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Raphy exhorted the nurses to walk in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale very specially inculcating in themselves the most wanted quality namely ‘Politeness’. Giving few statistics of health care scenario, he exhorted all the healthcare providers to be committed and to be ready for the need of the hour towards the sick and suffering.

Earlier, the programme began with a Prayer Dance by the Nursing Students which succeeded in creating a sense of serenity and peace. It was followed by the Lighting of the Lamp by the Bishop and other dignitaries present. The Welcome Speech by the Patriarch of Nazareth family, Rev Fr K K Antony, Director of the Hospital, was the next item. He in his inimitable way welcomed all the dignitaries present.

Then the caps were blessed by the Bp Dr. Raphy Manjaly and Mrs. Mary Paul capped the 37 students of the 24th Batch. Rev Sr Preema, Principal, lit the lamps, symbolic of the light carried by the first and model nurse, Florence Nightingale. It was followed by the Pledge taken by the nurses.

Then followed the 20^th ­batch Graduation Ceremony in the glorious history of the Nazareth Hospital School of Nursing in which 22 final year students were awarded graduation certificates and another 37 were admitted to the strenuous study stream of the noble profession of caring for the sick.

Most Rev Dr Raphy Manjaly then gave away prizes for various categories. Rev Sr Preema, the Principal of the Nazareth Hospital School of Nursing, had few words of appreciation and she exhorted the students to be other nightingales imitating her noble qualities of Love, Compassion and Sacrifice for the welfare of the ailing millions. Bishop Raphy Manjaly then blessed the gathering and especially the students present. The Staff then presented a Group Dance which enthralled all.

In his address the Guest of Honour of the day Padma Shree Dr Paul Thaliath lauded the selfless service rendered by Nazareth Hospital to the citizens of Allahabad and its neighbouring districts. He particularly applauded the Hospital Administration for its effort in maintaining a high standard of Nursing Care and making treatment affordable for the ailing masses.