September 15
The President of India Ram Nath Kovind conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2020 to 51 awardees at a virtual ceremony, in the presence of Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare.
Congratulating all the health care workers and nurses, The President noted ancient Indian traditions of service and helping the needy which are reflected in the service of our nurses.
The President exemplified the selfless contribution of nurses in the gallant fight against COVID-19 as well as their hard work in accelerating the national COVID Vaccination Programme.
He added that more than one crore vaccine doses per day has become possible by the exemplary devotion of our nurses. “Your hard-work is a ray of hope and guide people towards light from darkness,” he said. Paying tribute to those who lost their lives, he observed, “Nation will be indebted to your service.”
Echoing the same sentiments, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted how 2020 brought the huge challenge of corona pandemic to the whole world. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on several occasions appreciated the contribution of nurses during the COVID pandemic in his address to the nation.
“The human spirit, loyalty and selflessness with which you are serving people are commendable,” he stated.
The nursing professionals form one of the most important and crucial pillars of healthcare delivery system, he added.
He offered condolences to those who have lost their lives while serving those who were suffering from COVID.
