Lamp Lighting Ceremony 2026

The Lamp Lighting Ceremony for the 38th batch of BSc Nursing students of Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), was held on September 3, 2026, with great pride and solemnity. The ceremony marked the students’ formal entry into the noble nursing profession and was attended by dignitaries, faculty members, parents, and students. The event served as a poignant reminder of the core values of nursing—compassion, service, dedication, and commitment to humanity.

The dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Chief Guest, Dr. Sabitha Nayak, Principal, NITTE Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences, NITTE; Dr. Judith A. Noronha, Dean, MCON; and Mrs. Geena Louis D’Souza, Class Coordinator, First Year BSc Nursing, MCON.

The program commenced with a soulful invocation song presented by Ms. Riya Ann Aju and her group, seeking divine blessings for the ceremony and the students as they embarked on their professional journey. This was followed by a warm welcome address by Mrs. Geena Louis D’Souza, who welcomed the dignitaries, faculty members, parents, students, and guests.

As a mark of respect and gratitude to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, a floral tribute was offered by the dignitaries, along with Ms. Nafia Nazar, Class President of Group A, and Ms. N. Sowbharnica, Class President of Group B. The dignitaries then lit the ceremonial lamp, symbolizing the light of knowledge, compassion, and service.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, Dr. Sabitha Nayak, highlighted the pivotal role of nurses in maintaining and enhancing the quality of healthcare systems. She spoke about the importance of the three Cs in nursing—care, compassion, and commitment—and emphasized that professional skills help nurses excel, while compassion enables them to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients. Dr. Nayak encouraged the students to uphold the values of respect, dignity, empathy, and kindness while caring for patients. She congratulated the students on entering a profession that requires not only knowledge and technical competence but also a caring and compassionate heart.

The highlight of the ceremony was the traditional lamp-lighting ritual. The ceremony was led by Dr. Sabitha Nayak, Chief Guest, along with Dr. Judith A. Noronha, Dean, MCON; Dr. Tessy Tressa Jose, Associate Dean, MCON; Dr. Anice George, Former Dean; Dr. P. Suba Sooria, Head of Nursing Services, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal,  Dr. Linu Sara George, Head of the Department of Fundamentals of Nursing; Dr. Jyothi Chakrabarty, Head of the Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing; and Dr. Mamatha Shivananda Pai, Head of the Department of Child Health Nursing.

The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Dr. Judith A. Noronha, Dean, MCON. A total of 264 students solemnly took the oath, pledging to uphold the principles of integrity, empathy, ethical practice, and professional responsibility throughout their nursing careers.

In her address, Dr. Noronha emphasized the significance of the occasion and spoke about the values and qualities required of novice nurses as they begin their professional journey. Explaining the symbolism of the lamp, she encouraged the students to emulate the candle, which illuminates the lives of others through its own sacrifice. She urged them to remain dedicated to their patients and committed to providing the highest standard of care.

The formal program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest, dignitaries, faculty members, parents, organizers, and students for their presence and support. Ms. Ranoo Majumdar, Lecturer, Manipal College of Nursing, efficiently compered the program.

The meaningful ceremony celebrated the students’ transition into the nursing profession and reinforced the institution’s commitment to quality education, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.