Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 28 March 2025
In a significant development for aspiring nursing students from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, has successfully pushed for the consideration of reserved seats in the M.Sc Nursing course in states such as West Bengal and Kerala. Responding to the long-standing demand of island students, Mr. Ray took up the matter with Mr. JP Nadda, Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, seeking reservation of seats in reputed nursing institutions across the country.
Following Mr. Ray’s intervention, Mr. JP Nadda has confirmed that the issue has been taken up with the respective state governments for further consideration. This move is expected to open new avenues for island students to pursue higher education in nursing, addressing the challenges they currently face in securing seats in prestigious institutions.
In another significant development, the Hon’ble Minister also informed Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray that under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishing new medical colleges attached to existing district or referral hospitals, the Government has sanctioned 157 new nursing colleges across India. Among these, a new Nursing College is being established in Port Blair, in co-location with the existing medical college.
Expressing his gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare Mr. JP Nadda, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray highlighted that the establishment of the new Nursing College in Sri Vijaya Puram would be a major boost for local students. It would provide them the opportunity to pursue nursing courses within the Islands, reducing the need to migrate to mainland India for higher education.
Mr. Ray reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to improving educational opportunities for the youth of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He emphasized that these initiatives will significantly benefit students by enhancing access to quality education and fostering growth in the healthcare sector in the region.