As per the circular from the University Grants Commission (UGC), Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), MAHE, Manipal has observed Vigilance Awareness Week with the theme “Independent India @75: Self Reliance with Integrity (Swatantra Bharat @75: Satynishtha se Atmnirbharta).

Department of Community Health Nursing organized an awareness programme on ‘The Effects of Corruption and its Prevention’ on 25.10.2021 at Hirebettu- Athradi Panchayat, Udupi. Mr Nagesh Nayak, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Manipal Police Station, Manipal was the Resource Person for the event. He discussed the types of corruption and gave an overview of the effects of corruption. He insisted general public not to give bribes in the form of money or gift and also accept any form of bribe. He explained to the audience, whom to approach in case they come across or witness any corruption. The session ended with open discussions and the pledge was administered as per the directions of UGC. A total of 62 people including the general public, people from Athradi and Hirebettu village, nursing students, panchayat members, members of the rotary club, and members of VSO, MAHE also were attended the said program.

Integrity Pledge was administered on 26th October 2021 for all the faculty, students and non-teaching staff of Manipal College of Nursing. A total of 221 students, 17 faculty and non-teaching staff participated in the pledge. The pledge for faculty and non-teaching staff were facilitated by Dr Judith A Noronha, Dean, MCON Manipal and for the students by the respective class coordinators.

Posters shared with the UGC circular were published on the social media pages of Manipal College of Nursing on 26th October 2021 to spread awareness and campaign about "Complaints under PIDPI (Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers)".

A webinar on the theme was conducted on 30th October 2021 between 11.00 am and 11.45 am. Mrs Latha C.S Holla, Advocate from Mangalore shared her expertise on the topic. She gave an overview of the Central Vigilance Commission, legal aspects of corruption, different forms of corruption and practices for curtailing corruption. She also threw light on the Act of corruption, brief notes, and its applicability, the process of an allegation, further actions, and implications. She emphasized that the development of a country is based on the value of corruption-free status. Incompetent people entering the public aspect with corruption hinders the growth of the nation and this need to be addressed and eradicated. The public’s role, duties, and responsibilities for corruption-free status were stressed in her session. The session was conducted in Microsoft Teams and was attended by 63 participants within MCON, Manipal.

The overall programme was coordinated by Ms Shalini G Nayak, Assistant Professor, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal