New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday invited 50 nurses, who attended the Independence Day programme as special guests, to his home to honour them.

The Centre invited 1,800 special guests -- including sarpanches, nurses, fisherfolk and teachers -- from across the country to attend the Independence Day programme.

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Mandaviya appreciated the nurses for their marvellous and tireless efforts for changing the country's fortunes.

Underlining the contribution of the nursing profession and the medical fraternity, Mandaviya emphasised that "their efforts laid the foundation for the global recognition, trust and praise garnered by India from the world".

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Lauding the nurses' dedication, Mandaviya said, "Their service during the pandemic will be remembered forever. This is our culture that taught us to serve people. Health is not a commerce but a service which is inherent in our culture."

"The world was sceptical about our health infrastructure but when COVID-19 was over, I visited the World Economic Forum in Davos where Bill Gates congratulated India on its triumph over Covid," Mandaviya said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)