SV Saraswati Gets National Florence Nightingale Award for Military Nursing Service

She has served in the military nursing service (MNS) for decades. Meet Brigadier SV Saraswati, who has been honoured with the National Florence Nightingale Award for her service to the nation.

She received the award via a virtual ceremony for her contribution to the MNS as the nurse administrator. The Florence Nightingale award is the highest national distinction a nurse can achieve for selfless devotion and exceptional professionalism.

Who is Brigadier Saraswati?

Brigadier Saraswati conducted various outreach programs for military troops and is credited with training thousands of soldiers and families in basic life support activities. She represented the Military Nursing Service (MNS) on various national and international level forums.

Brigadier Saraswati is known to have organised various pan- India Army hospital efforts and UN Peacekeeping Operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has also held various other clinical and administrative appointments at different levels, before assuming her present role of Deputy Director General of MNS.

In recognition of her distinguished service in the nursing profession to the soldiers and their families, she has received other awards as well. She was honoured with the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation (2005), United Nations Medal (MONOC) (2007) and Chief of the Army Staff Commendation (2015).

Brigadier Saraswati was also awarded General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation (2005), United Nations Medal (MONOC) (2007) and Chief of the Army Staff Commendation (2015), in recognition of her distinguished service.

Where is Brigadier Saraswati from?

Brigadier Saraswati was born and raised in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. She was commissioned into the MNS on December 28, 1983 and to date has over 35 years of service to her credit.

India's President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, bestowed the award on her and praised nurses across the country for the initiative and mammoth efforts in vaccinating one crore-plus people in a single day. Kovind asserted this task would not have been complete without the dedication of India's nurses.

“Many of our nurses have lost their lives in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic. One of the awardees lost her life while treating covid-19 patients. For this sacrifice, the nation would always be indebted to her. The services and sacrifices cannot be evaluated in terms of any pecuniary benefit”, he said.

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