The march of the garland bearers into the auditorium paved the way for nursing students to take their place at the Garden City College Convocation Hall. The symbol of escort was eye-catching to say the least considering its novelty. The Garden City College of Nursing students were present at the Annual Lamp Lighting Function, signifying their entry into a profession that is a call for service through sincerity, dedication, nobility of honour and conscious mind. .

At the function, the meritorious students of nursing - Bivin K. V. and Ambily .P. Joy- and the Best Students of 2006-07 Batch -. Osyth Cleopatra, Lily Viana, Bino Baby and Jancy Varghese Mathew -were felicitated.

The programme began with a prayer song followed by the welcome item- a classical dance. Around of applause ensued after the scintillating performance and thereafter the dignitaries on the occasion took to the dais. Ms. Sabeena Christina gave the welcome speech before the Chief Guests lit the lamp. Presiding over the function was Dr. Joseph V.G., Chairman, Garden City Group of Institutions.

Encapsulating the essence of the day, Prof. Mrs. Thressiamma recited a poem, Goddess of Mercy that had a lot of significance to the function. Florence Nightingale is considered to be the lady with the lamp who dedicated her entire life to the profession of nursing. “The lamp is symbols of the path nursing must pursue before commencing on their profession,” she informed the gathering.

The Chief Guests were felicitated by Dr. Joseph followed by the introduction of Prof. Dorcas Kujur, Dean of Rajeev and Rathna Colleges of Nursing and the Principal of Rajiv College of Nursing, Hassan. After graduating with a B.Sc. in Nursing, Smt. Dorcas pursued her M.Sc. Nursing from Vellore. She is also a recipient of the Eminent Citizenship Award from the International Institute of Education and Management (IIEM), New Delhi.

Speaking at the function, Smt. Dorcas expounded on the duties of nurses which according to her encompass elements such as – conscious of the unconscious, the living dead and company to the loner. neself in work, being a regular practitioner and the feeling of pride is what this profession demands,” she explained.

“Evaluation of oneself in work, being a regular practitioner and the feeling of pride is what this profession demands,” she explained.
In his address, Dr. Joseph V.G., offered encouraging words to the budding nurses. “Take to this profession with honesty and consider it to be non-profitable mission of service to the community,” he told the students.

Mr. J. Alexander, the Chief Guest at the function called upon the nurses to be humane when dealing with patients. “Use their names instead of the wards and bed numbers that has become the trend these days because you are their source of energy,” he advised.
At the function was Mr. Ivan Nigli, MLA, Government of Karnataka, a recipient of the Florence Nightingale Award. In the addresses that followed, Mr. Ivan informed the students that the profession of nursing is a noble discipline while the Most Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Puthanangady insisted nursing is not a profession but a mission. “I hope you will embark upon your task with passion and commitment.”