Sankara Nethralaya. A Mission For Vision

Lion G V. Raman and Lion S.N. Hari Narayanan have been conferred with the ‘FRIEND OF HUMANITY AWARD’ by the Lions Clubs International.

The award, considered one of the most distinguished awards of the Lions Clubs International, is presented annually to individual/individuals for demonstrating outstanding commitment to the community or world service.

The two were presented with the award at the 36^th multiple district convention held on May 23 & May 24, 2009 at Madurai. Past Lions Clubs International President, Lion Dr. Ashok Mehta, who was the Chief Guest, announced the honours. The past Lions Clubs International President, Lion Rohit C.Mehta, conferred the honour on Lion Hari Narayanan and Lion G.V. Raman.

The convention was also attended by past International Directors, past multiple Council Chairmen, past District Governors.

Lion G.V. Raman and Lion Hari Narayanan with their continuous campaign, along with their national and international counterparts, have supported Sankara Nethralaya for twelve years.

Sankara Nethralaya congratulates the Lions on a richly-deserved award.

For his outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of medicine, renowned physician Dr. K.V. Thiruvengadam has been elected for honorary membership of the Alpha Omega Alpha Society, United States.

A former Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine at the Madras Medical College, Dr. Thiruvengadam’s career as a teacher has spanned over 50 years — almost 31 years in the State Medical Service and nearly 20 years in private medical institutions.

Teaching undergraduates and postgraduates, Dr. Thiruvengadam’s core areas include infectious disease, occupational medicine and clinical allergy.

A graduate from the city-based Stanley Medical College, Dr. Thiruvengadam has, over the years, been conferred a number of awards in recognition for his exemplary services as a professor, including the Dr. B.C. Roy award for eminent medical teacher and the ‘Distinguished Chest Physician’ award by the Indian Chest Society. He was honoured by the National Board of Examination in 2000 for his services as a medical professor.

Dr. Thiruvengadam has also been part of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Pharmacopoeia Committee etc. With over 100 peer-reviewed papers under his belt, Dr. Thiruvengadam has served as Regent of the College of Chest Physicians of India and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh. He is also an ethics sub-committee member of the Vision Research Foundation, Chennai.

In 1981, Dr. Thiruvengadam was conferred the Padma Shri.

Founded in 1902, the Alpha Omega Alpha Society every year honours eminent persons for their scholarship, professionalism, leadership and service in medicine and related fields.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/21/stories/2009052159580400

They are good ophthalmologists, no doubt. But how good are they in managing stress? Consultants, anaesthetists and PGs/Fellows got a first-hand experience on how to address their stress-related problems at a guest lecture addressed by Dr. Usha Kiran at Sankara Nethralaya’s auditorium on Thursday.

Dr, Kiran is the professor and head of the Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia at the Cardiothoracic Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi.

Beginning with a series of exercises to relax the mind, Dr. Kiran spoke in detail about the benefits of Rajyoga on the general well being of an individual. Rajyoga, according to her, helps in improving self-confidence and self-esteem.

Dr. Kiran uses Rajyoga meditation techniques to provide pain therapy to patients.

At the end of the lecture, Sister Neelima from ‘Brahma Kumaris’ administered a 5-minute meditation exercise on the audience which was mind gripping in that serene and silent surrounding.

To commemorate International Nurses Day, Vice-Chairman T.S. Surendran delivered a lecture on its significance on May12.

A talk on ‘Infection Control Practices,’ was given by junior scientist M. Sowmya from the Microbiology department.

Highlighting the need for updating medical knowledge, Ms. Sowmya spoke on the importance of personal hygiene, sterilization of instruments and use of masks, all of which can prevent air-borne diseases.

She also spoke at length on the infection-control methods that need to be incorporated in operation theatres.

A quiz was also conducted on the occasion.

Chairman Emeritus Dr. S.S.Badrinath and Dr. Vasanthi Badrinath presented trophies to the winners of a lucky draw.  Director of Nursing Lysa Sagar also spoke on the occasion.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/13/stories/2009051358090200

Charity, they say, begins at home. Vikram Falor couldn’t agree more. Growing up watching his grandparents and parents’ philanthropic gestures, this 19-year-old takes “great pride” in continuing with the family’s efforts in “giving back to society.”

Recently, the first year B.Com student, from Loyola College, donated Rs. 5,501 to Sankara Nethralaya.

As a teenager, Vikram watched his grandfather Mr. R. Falor and other family members actively support various charitable organisations, Sankara Nethralaya being one of them. As a XII std student, Vikram, along with a group of friends, visited the Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Centre. The visit proved to be an eye-opener to the group. “We got to meet so many people who were being treated. These were people who came from small towns and many were not aware of their medical condition,” says Vikram.
Seeing the selfless service by doctors and staff at the centre towards the underprivileged only reinforced Vikram’s belief in the need to give back to society.

The group of friends then decided that they would contribute in some way to help the needy. On May6, 2009, when Vikram handed over his donation cheque to Dr. Badrinath it was his first step, but certainly not the last, in doing his bit for society. For, this gen-next youth, who loves cars, bikes and his i-pod, believes “you have to be the change to bring out a change.” We couldn’t agree more.

Mr. Ashok Kumar Mehta, a volunteer of Sankara Nethralaya Swan has been honoured by Rajasthan Association in Chennai with the “Rajasthan Shree Award” recently.The award was given to him by the Hon’ble Governor of Rajasthan.Sankara Nethralaya, specifically the Swan would like to take this opportunity to recognize the achievements of Mr. Ashok Mehta and honored him on a public function on 29^th April at 11am. Shri Sughal Chand Jain was the chief Guest and Mr Sripal former IG of Police was the special invitee. All his family members and Rajastan association members , consultants, SWAN volunteers and employees of SN attended the function.Dr S B Vasanthi welcomed all the invitees and also spoke about the activities of SWAN. Ms Surekha Mehta the SWAN Trustee introduced Mr Ashok Mehta to the audience. Mr Sughal Chand Jain spoke about the Rajastan Shree Award and Mr Sripal gave an inspiring about social services. Mr and Mrs Ashok Mehta were honored by Dr S S Badrinath and Dr Vasanthi Badrinath. A movie about Mr Ashok Mehta was screened and it was well appreciated by all.

Admiral N.N. Anand delivered a lecture on “the meaning of life” to PG students at the auditorium on April 30, 2009.

Describing SN as a “globally recognized” institute for its “tremendous achievements and contributions to humanity,” Admiral Anand spoke about the need for individuals to incorporate the principles of honesty, integrity and sincerity into the roles that they are expected to perform.

The talk was thought provoking and urged individuals to think about their objectives in life and how to fulfill them.

Dr. Devendra Venkataramani sang the invocation while Dr. Mohd Ariff introduced Admiral Anand. Dr. Samaresh Srivatsava honored Admiral Anand. The vote of thanks was given by Dr. Vardhaman.  Dr.Narendra Muthukrishnan was the M.C. for the function and it was very interesting.

“Adversity is a fact of life. It can’t be controlled. What we can control is how we react to it.” …. And who better to know that than renowned artist Manohar Devadoss. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, Manohar Devadoss’ story is not that of a disgruntled and cynical soul but one of courage, faith, belief and human resilience.

Unfazed by his medical condition, Mr. Devadoss has continued drawing since his diagnosis in 1975 with the same zeal and precision. What makes his drawings even more special are their purpose — proceeds got from the greeting cards bearing his drawings are given to charitable organisations. Sankara Nethralaya is fortunate to be one of those charitable organisations to whom Mr. Devadoss lends his support.

Mr. Devadoss visited Sankara Nethralaya on April 4, 2009 to handover his donation cheque as part of his continued support to the cause of Sankara Nethralaya. In an informal chat with Sampath Kumar, the hospital’s IT head, Mr. Devadoss spoke about his relationship with the hospital and about his Mahima endowment.

A “Friend of Sankara Nethralaya,” Mr. Devadoss says his association with Dr. Badrinath dates back to 1975.   And since then it has grown into a doctor-patient-friend bond which has only strengthened with every passing decade. “Dr. Badri’s personality is magnetic. Vasanthi Amma also became very close to us.  “If I have a vision problem, it was my misfortune. Yet knowing Dr. Badrinath has been a key fortune of my misfortune because if I didn’t have a misfortune, I wouldn’t know Dr. Badrinath,” Mr. Devadoss adds.

The Mahima endowment

The Mahima endowment was started by Mr.Devadoss in the memory of his beloved wife Mahima. Says Mr. Devadoss, “I consulted my wife Mahima about an endowment in her name, when she passes away.  She immediately said: ‘Let our endowment be to Sankara Nethralaya, who cure the blind.’  That’s how the endowments started.”

He adds: “Our own contribution to Sankara Nethralaya is very small but it comes from our heart. It has enriched our life, whatever we have done, even the greeting card. My very first greeting card was about Kancheepuram Maha Periyava. That was the first greeting card we did on a mass scale to Sankara Nethralaya. Then we started doing for other companies like TVS… My best wishes and prayers to Sankara Nethralaya will keep growing.  May Tamil Nadu be the first State to totally eliminate avoidable blindness.”

His wife was more than just a pillar of support to him. In fact to all those who knew her, Mahima Devadoss was an epitome of courage and grace. Courage because despite being a quadriplegic, following a road accident, she never let her disability disable her from living her life and raising funds for charitable organisations. And grace because she faced the trying times with a fountain of optimism and never letting go of her incredible spirit and warm personality.

“My wife Mahima was a talented person winning many gold medals in college days. After her accident, I saw her in a new light.  She accepted the tragedy with grace. And in a positive way.  She sympathized with the lot of blind children.  She always wanted to help people with a vision problem since I had one,” recalls Mr. Devadoss.

“God had denied her so much in life so I want to compensate in my little way. I wrote two books on her and made two portraits of her. I hope this endowment will aid a great institution like Sankara Nethralaya which will bear her name and which will help the poor.”

Life wasn’t exactly a smooth ride for this couple, yet in adversity they mastered the art of giving.

How the endowment keeps going

Mr. Devadoss said “a computer engineer with noble thoughts came to know of the Mahima endowment and towards supporting it, he would regularly buy a greeting card of mine and contribute an equal amount. He regularly does it for the endowment.”

A writer-cum-artist, Mr. Devadoss has left many in awe, not just of his drawings but of his magnanimous personality. Life may have been more a bed of thorns than roses for him, but that hasn’t deterred this unassuming person from pledging unconditional support to a number of charitable organisations. To rise beyond your disability takes courage, unflinching resilience, belief and a mighty heart…and who better to know than Mr. Devadoss.

Hand Drawn Paintings of Mr. Manohar Devadoss to raise funds for Sankara Nethralaya.

A well-wisher and donor Shri. Nichal H Israni, Chairman, Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd., Mumbai visited Sankara Nethralaya on 2nd April 2009.

The 7th meeting of PAC in Health Sciences of Department of Science & Technology, (DST) Govt. of India was held in Sankara Nethralaya on 27th and 28th March, 2009. Over 55  investigators from all over India presented their proposals which were reviewed by Prof.V.I Mathan, Chairman and the committee members. Dr.Rita Banerjee, official from DST conducted the proceedings. The committee members visited the basic sciences laboratories on 27th evening and were highly impressed.