PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Unemployed nursing graduates, under the banner of the Nursing Ekta Manch (NEM), will organise a ‘Candle March of Hope’ on January 4, starting from the Bindal of Dehradun and culminating at the Health minister’s residence, to press for their unmet demands. The unemployed nursing graduates have been staging sit-in for several days at Ekta Vihar and this Wednesday marked the 27th day of their sit-in.
The protesters have been advocating for a transparent recruitment process, demanding selections based on the year-wise seniority of candidates who have completed their qualifying examinations, among others.
Braving the winter chill, these nursing graduates have continued their protest, asserting that they will continue until the government takes decisive action regarding their demands.
The president of NEM, Naval Pundir informed that nursing graduates had been trying to peacefully convey their concerns to the government. “But its continued apathy has forced us to escalate their movement,” he added.
He announced that during the ‘Candle March of Hope’ slated on January 4, unemployed nursing graduates from all districts of the State would participate. “Starting at the Bindal area of Dehradun, it will proceed to Health minister Dhan Singh Rawat’s residence. However, it will be a peaceful and symbolic match meant to awaken the government to our sad plight,” he said, adding with a warning that they would intensify their stir in the coming days if the government remains nonchalant to their long-pending demands.
To recall, they had previously met the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He is said to have listened to their concerns and assured them of positive action once their proposal reached the government level. Recently, they also met the Health minister Dhan Singh Rawat. He is too supposed to have assured them of prompt action. “However, we have yet to receive a written reply from the government. Hence, we continue with the stir,” Pundir complained.
