The 5th graduation ceremony of Nursing, Health Science and Diplomate National Board (DNB) graduates of the Christian Institute of Health Science & Research (CIHSR) was held on Friday at LG hall, CIHSR campus.
The event was graced by honorary consultant to CHB and Azim Premji Foundation and vice chairman of the CMC Vellore Council, Dr. John Oommen as chief guest.
In his graduation address, Dr. John Oommen encouraged the graduates to take time at life’s turning points such as graduations and new beginnings, to pause, reflect, and carefully consider their direction before moving forward.
Speaking to both graduates and faculty, he posed three reflective questions: Why do we do what we do? What do we really want from life? And what do we hope to see when we look back 40 years from now? He urged each graduate to privately answer three key questions, write them down, keep them hidden, and revisit them after five or ten years. He emphasized that without reflection, the deeper lessons of life could be missed.
He shared personal and borrowed wisdom, drawing from his father, that to win a race, one must not only run faster than others but also in the right direction. Referencing Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, he likened teachers and parents to the bow and students and children to the arrow, emphasizing that the bow must be stretched for the arrow to fly far.
He further encouraged the graduates to choose the worthwhile path over the easy one and reminded them that true happiness and fulfilment come from love, service, and faithfulness not from wealth or recognition.
Short speeches were delivered by CIHSR director, Dr. Sedevi Angami, from the graduating students, college of nursing, Esther Kent, NERMPI, Ahrazu A Akob and DNB, Ravi Singh.
Earlier, the program was chaired by CIHSR, director, DR. Sedevi Angami and compered by college of Nursing, Prof. Khumjanbeni Murry, opening prayer by head of ENT and advisor member care of Networking Dr. Clement Momin, closing prayer by Deputy Medical Suprintendent, DR. Adahru Moses.
A total of 162 students received post graduate, degree certificates and diploma certificates and six students received Simpsons’ award for best outgoing student from the College of Nursing.