Date: 24/05/25

Occasion: International Nurses Day Celebration, 2025

Venue: Jacaranda Hall, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road

Organised By: TNAI HQ

Introduction:

The State Nursing Excellency Award Ceremony was held on International Nurses Day 2025, celebrating the tireless efforts, compassion, and professional excellence of nurses across the state. The event recognised nurses’ critical role in delivering quality healthcare and contributing to public health, education, clinical care, and nursing administration.

Objective:

To honour and appreciate the outstanding contributions made by nurses in various fields and to promote motivation, recognition, and pride in the nursing profession.

Program Highlights:

The programme commenced with an invocation song, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries. Mrs Sangamitra Sawant, Dy Secretary-General TNAI, delivered the welcome address. Mrs Vatchala Dhinakaran, Assistant Secretary General & Master of Ceremonies, invited Mrs Annie Kumar, National President, who was honoured with the President’s Chain by Mrs Evelyn P Kannan, Secretary General; Mrs Annu Verma, Project Manager, presented a moving video on Florence Nightingale as a tribute to the legendary nurse. It was followed by a standing tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam attack that created a solemn and respectful atmosphere.

Eminent Speakers of the Special Occasion:

• Dr Deepika C Khakha, Nursing Advisor to the Government of India, echoed the words of WHO Director General Dr Tedros, stating, “Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare. She urged nurses to become catalysts for change within their respective fields and emphasised the importance of empowering the next generation of nursing leaders.

• Mrs Bimla Kapoor, Chairperson of the NNMC Bill committee, stated that this year’s theme rightly acknowledges nurses’ vital contributions to economic strength. Addressing workforce gaps, she called for uniform eligibility criteria, time-bound recruitment, improved pay packages and greater leadership roles for nurses. She said nurses are not just caregivers but also researchers, educators and pillars of the health care system.

Honouring State Nursing Excellence Award 2025:

The Award Ceremony was led by Mrs Yangchen Dolma, President and Dr V. Indumathy, Secretary of TNAI Delhi Branch, recognising exceptional service and dedication in the field.

• Details of State Nursing Excellence Awardees 2025
• Captain Dr Usha Banerjee, Group Director Nursing awarded in the Nursing Administration category – With unwavering commitment to high standards of patient care, exceptional leadership, and innovative management practices, she has transformed nursing operations and elevated team performance. Her strategic vision, dedication to staff development, and consistent focus on quality improvement have significantly enhanced the efficiency and morale of the nursing workforce.  Her exemplary contribution to healthcare administration continues to inspire a culture of excellence, compassion, and professional integrity.
• Dr Latha Venkatesan, Professor cum Principal, was awarded in the category of Nursing Education – With a career spanning more than 35 years, Dr Latha Venkatesan has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to academic and clinical excellence. As a Nurse Educator and Principal at AIIMS, she has enriched the educational curriculum and served as a compassionate mentor and role model for countless nursing students. Her contributions have significantly enhanced the quality of nursing education and patient care outcomes.
• Sister Preeti Margarette, Director of Bethany Sparsh Community Health Centre, was awarded in the Public Health Nursing Field – Shehas consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to improving community health outcomes, spearheading impactful outreach programs, and advocating for underserved populations. Through collaborative efforts, health education initiatives, and data-driven approaches, sister Preeti Margarete has made a measurable difference in the lives of countless individuals and families. This award celebrates professional skill, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of health equity and excellence in community-based care.
• Mr Mathew Varghese V, Nursing Officer, awarded under the Clinical Nursing Category – For more than 20 years, he has served as a cornerstone of excellence within his Unit at IRCH AIIMS, consistently going above and beyond to ensure the well-being and dignity of every patient. He consistently demonstrated exceptional clinical teamwork and a steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of patients and families.

The Jury Members:

• Captain Dr Indira Rani, Chief Nursing Head of Max Hospital, Noida
• Dr Dinesh Selvam, Principal & Professor, Amity University, Haryana
• Mrs Bobby Ramesh, Group Director Nursing, Sarvodaya Health Care, Faridabad.

Conclusion:

The celebration concluded with Cake cake-cutting ceremony, a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Dr Shiny Chacko, National Treasurer, TNAI and National Anthem.

The event was a resounding success, bringing together the stakeholders from across the nursing and health care sectors to celebrate, reflect and inspire. It reaffirmed TNAI’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the nursing profession and building a healthier, more resilient Health system of India.