On 22nd August 2024, St. Teresa’s College hosted the second-anniversary celebration of the “BeFirst: To Aid & Save Lives” initiative, organized in collaboration with Aster Medcity. This event, coordinated by NSS Unit 41 in association with the Community College and the Department of Sociology, also marked the 400th Basic Life Support (BLS) training session. The program underscored the college’s commitment to equipping students and the community with essential life-saving skills.
The ceremony commenced at 10:30 AM in the Arts Auditorium with the NSS Anthem, performed by NSS volunteers, which set a unifying and purposeful tone for the event. Dr. Alphonsa Vijaya Joseph, Principal of St. Teresa’s College, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the significant role that the BeFirst initiative has played in improving the students’ emergency response capabilities.
Dr Sr. Vinitha CSST, Provincial Superior and Manager of St. Teresa’s College delivered the Presidential Address. She reiterated the college’s unwavering commitment to community service and its mission to nurture socially responsible individuals.
Sri V.D. Satheesan, leader of the opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, carried out the formal inauguration of the event. In his inaugural address, he applauded the partnership between the college and Aster Medcity and highlighted its importance in advancing public safety and healthcare awareness.
A notable moment in the event was the keynote address by Ms. Dhanya Syamalan, Assistant General Manager (Operation Head) at Aster Medcity. During her speech, she also inaugurated the “Therapia” First Aid project, an initiative by the Department of Community College as part of St. Teresa’s College’s Centenary celebrations. She emphasised the critical impact of first aid education and its broad-reaching benefits.
Dr. Johnson Varghese, Lead Consultant of the Emergency Department at Aster Medcity, provided an insightful overview of the BeFirst initiative’s journey, sharing its achievements and outlining future objectives. The event also included the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between St. Teresa’s College and Aster Medcity, solidifying their partnership to further health education and emergency preparedness.
Dr. Sr. Suchita, Vice Principal of St. Teresa’s College, offered felicitations, acknowledging the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the success of the BeFirst initiative. The formal proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sajimol Augustine M, Senior Administrator of St. Teresa’s College, who expressed deep appreciation to all dignitaries, partners, and participants for their support.
Following the official program, Dr. Johnson K.V. led an engaging orientation on Basic Life Support (BLS) and the importance of First Aid. His session provided valuable insights and practical knowledge, emphasizing the critical role BLS training plays in saving lives. After the orientation, hands-on BLS training was conducted, providing 400 students with practical experience in essential life-saving techniques.
The event was a great success, reaffirming the shared commitment of St. Teresa’s College and Aster Medcity to fostering a culture of safety, preparedness, and community service.