Professor Dr N Jaya

M.A (Sociology), MSc (Nursing), PhD (Nursing)

“Half a century of dedicated care, leadership, and legacy”

In the spirit of Florence Nightingale, we would like to commemorate the lifelong achievements, relentless service, academic excellence, and visionary leadership of Professor Dr N Jaya as she celebrates her golden jubilee.

Born in a small village of Thiruvannamalai in Southern India, Professor Jaya studied science when it was first introduced in her school, and her passion for nursing grew steadily. When her first application for a Diploma in Nursing was unjustly declined, her sheer determination secured her rightful place in the profession. Graduating in 1976 as the ‘Best Outgoing Student’ marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would influence generations of nurses and transform healthcare education.

Over five decades, she paved the way for nursing excellence, building an exemplary academic and professional legacy and progressing from a Diploma to a Doctorate in Nursing, while also completing a Master’s in Sociology, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to learning and leadership.

Ascending from Staff Tutor to Professor and serving as Principal and Dean of Colleges of Nursing, she redefined institutional benchmarks. During her tenure as Chairperson of the Board of Studies in Nursing, she worked unwaveringly to improve nursing curriculum to global standards. She founded the Tamil Nadu Post Graduate Nurses Association and raised the profile of student nurses’ welfare and well-being.

Her vision for advancing nursing and midwifery care knew no borders. As President of the Society of Midwives, India (Chennai Chapter) and State Vice-President of the Trained Nurses Association of India, she represented Indian nursing across Europe and Asia. Her pivotal role in the Indo-Sweden Project (Sida, 2009) led to the establishment of the Centre for Advanced Midwifery Training (CAMT), aimed at reducing maternal mortality through advanced midwifery education. Her lifelong ambition is to found an independent University for Midwifery in India — a transformative step for future midwifery education.

Her exceptional service has earned her prestigious accolades regionally, including the Best Nurse Award, Best Nurse Educator Award, Best Teacher Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Tamil Nadu Dr M.G.R. Medical University (2012) and the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwifery Council (2021).

To our pioneer, compassionate mentor, fearless advocate and friend who continuously challenged the status quo to uphold healthcare and nursing standards – we extend our gratitude to her wisdom, healing and selfless service. We wish her a happy 50th Golden Jubilee of glorious service.

With love, BSc (Nursing) students, 14th Batch, 1997-2001, College of Nursing, Madras Medical College, India.

English Translation:

“A Garland of Poem for our Golden Jubilee Queen”

The first time we saw you in college hall,

That bob cut made us gasp, one and all.

With only Podhigai TV in hostel night,

The trending “Thaiya Thaiya” song you sang with sheer delight,

left us stunned, in joyful dismay.

Oh, how you stole our hearts that day!

On medical rounds with your sixteen-feet stride,

We little ones ran, right by your side,

You’d talk and walk, a whirlwind of fire,

Oh, that energy that lifted Milos higher and higher!

When our rights were lost, our voices pressed,

You rose for us, you stood the test,

Shoulder to shoulder, you made us brave,

A pat on our back, the courage you gave.

Our tiny attempts to bring a change,

You still recall, though years feel strange,

A quarter century, yet you praise us so,

Your pride in us continues to glow.

You update yourself for every new day,

Yet treasure our past, never letting it fray,

Our precious chest of memories, you stay —

Our golden treasure in every way.

Multi-talented, both in life and art,

Ever so watchful, with a teacher’s heart,

And that “Azhagey, Azhagey” — your sweet scold,

More precious than any Tamil gold.

Like a river you run, forever young and free,

A globetrotter spirit for all to see,

Oh restless heart, that never tires —

You lift us higher!

At our reunion in India, we grew wings and flew,

Watching the world, yet flying through,

You held the magic thread so tight,

That kept us soaring in pure light.

Even from England, miles apart,

You were right here, within our heart,

With endless prayers and love so true,

You never left us — we felt you!

From model hospital to dreams so bright,

Like a magnet, you pull us with your light,

Oh, dignified grace, oh charming queen —

The noblest teacher we have ever seen.

Now as our silver jubilee year meets your Golden year,

We bring our thanks, so pure, so dear,

These heartfelt flowers, we string with love,

A garland of poems from hearts above.

May fame not fade, may love not bend,

May health and wealth forever blend,

May countless stages and awards you see,

For all eternity!

With joyful wishes, love like a flood,

Forever yours, with gratitude in blood,

Your ever loving student

Kalaiarasi Palanivel MSc (N)

(Original poem in Tamil language, translated with the help of AI)