National Florence Nightingale Award
Context: The President of India, Smt Draupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2025 to the nurses at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (May 30, 2025).
Important Pointers:
Instituted: By the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in 1973.
Purpose: It is given to outstanding nursing personnel serving in Central/State/UTs and Voluntary Organizations.
Recognition: The award honours meritorious services rendered by nurses and nursing professionals to the society.
Eligibility: Nurses working in hospital, community, educational, or administrative settings are eligible for the award.
Components: Each award includes a Certificate of Merit, a Rs. 1,00,000 cash prizes, and a medal.
Florence Nightingale:
Identity: An English social reformer, statistician, and founder of modern nursing.
Contribution: She gained prominence for organizing care for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War in Constantinople.
Legacy: She established the first scientifically based nursing school, Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London.