Nurse: One of the memorable days of my life

Nurse: One of the memorable days of my life

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Puducherry:02.03.2021 

“Are you using a thicker needle? Politicians are usually thick-skinned,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi joked with nurse P Niveda who administered the Bharat Biotech-manufactured Covaxin to him at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, on Monday.

The 28-year-old from Puducherry said the Prime Minister praised her saying he did not feel the jab. “The Prime Minister wished us and asked where we were from. The moment I said I am from Puducherry he said ‘Vanakkam’. He then cracked a joke asking whether we settled for a stronger needle as politicians are usually thick-skinned,” said Niveda, who did her nursing degree from Jipmer in Puducherry, where her father is an ambulance driver.

“I joined AIIMS three years ago. Today is one of the memorable days in my life. My colleague from Kerala Rosamma Anil and myself got the opportunity to administer Covid vaccine to our Prime Minister. We took photos with him. Our PM has set an example to prove that India’s vaccine is safe and highly efficient and to encourage others to take the vaccine,” she said.

The Prime Minister was kept under observation for 30 minutes after vaccination. He will get the second dose after 28 days. Niveda’s father Palanisami said she aspired to pursue medicine or nursing. “She joined nursing in Jipmer. After completing the course, she worked in a private hospital in Puducherry before joining Jipmer as a project nurse on contract basis. Three years ago, she was selected by AIIMS,” said Palanisamy, who joined Jipmer 33 years ago. “I am from Karaikal I joined Jipmer as a driver in 1988. I will retire in November next year. I am proud of my daughter,” he said.