Deeksharambh 2025: Induction Program of Amrita College of Nursing & Amrita School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Faridabad Campus

The Deeksharambh 2025 – Induction Programme of Amrita College of Nursing and the Amrita School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (SSBS), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Faridabad Campus, was held on September 10, 2025 at Amriteswari Auditorium. The programme marked the beginning of a new academic journey for students, providing them with an inspiring start and an introduction to the ethos of Amrita.

The event commenced with the Lighting of the Lamp, symbolising the dispelling of ignorance and the ushering in of knowledge, guided by the blessings of the institution’s divine Chancellor, Sadguru Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. This was followed by a soulful Prayer rendered by students of the College of Nursing, invoking divine grace for the occasion.

Dr. Lekha Vishwanath, Principal, Amrita College of Nursing, delivered the Welcome Address, extending her greetings to the dignitaries, faculty members, students, and guests. She spoke of the institution’s commitment to holistic education that integrates compassion, discipline, and academic excellence.

Following this, Dr. Lekha provided a Programme Overview of the Nursing stream, highlighting the curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and the focus on skill-building and values. Dr. Lekha highlighted the remarkable progress of the College of Nursing, which has expanded from 60 seats in 2022 to 250 seats in 2025, reflecting the growing demand and recognition of Amrita’s excellence in nursing education. Dr. Nimita Pandey, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Policy, SSBS, presented the Programme Overview of SSBS, emphasising the interdisciplinary approach, research focus, and opportunities for innovation and leadership. Dr. Nimita expressed pride in the achievements of the 2024 batch of MSc Social Data Science and Policy (SODASP) students, who have successfully secured prestigious internships for Summer 2025 with Government agencies, international think tanks, and leading global universities. She emphasised that these accomplishments demonstrate the academic rigour of the programme and its ability to prepare students for globally relevant careers.

Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, then addressed the audience. He highlighted the importance of the Social Data Science and Policy programme being nested among the health schools, pointing out how this unique positioning strengthens Amrita’s commitment to addressing complex health and development challenges. He stressed that the integration of data science, policy, and public health would equip students with the tools to generate evidence-driven solutions for pressing societal issues. His remarks underlined the transformative role such a programme can play in advancing equity, improving healthcare systems, and shaping inclusive policy frameworks.

The Special Address was delivered by Mrs. Sundari Nanda IPS (Retd), Adviser to the Administrative Director, Amrita Hospital. She reflected on her career in public service and highlighted the values of discipline, leadership, and service to society as guiding principles for students embarking on their professional journey.

The dignitaries then came together for the Felicitation of the Chief Guest, Ambassador Vijay Nambiar (Retd.), an eminent diplomat and former Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General. Ambassador Nambiar delivered the Chief Guest Address, where he drew from his extensive diplomatic and administrative career to share invaluable insights on global governance, leadership, and cross-cultural understanding. His words inspired students to aspire toward excellence while remaining rooted in ethics and values.

The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Nimita Pandey, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, faculty, students, and staff for their contributions to the success of the event.