Sankara Nethralaya, in collaboration with the Thirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, opened the Srinivasa Sankara Nethralaya in Tirupati on September 21, 2009. Inaugurated by Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, the state-of-the art hospital will not only benefit visiting pilgrims but also provide ophthalmic care to indigent patients from Rayalaseema and other parts of the State.
In its first phase, the hospital will be able to treat around 16,000 patients and perform nearly 6, 500 cataract surgeries. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister urged philanthropists to come forward and contribute towards helping the institute serve the poor. Ajay Modi, a Delhi-based philanthropist and former local legislator M. Venkatramana jointly contributed Rs.50 lakh to the hospital; Ashok Rathi, a Chennai-based industrialist, has also donated Rs.50 lakh to the institute.
The TTD, along with the Elite School of Optometry, provides a free comprehensive eye camp to the public, especially the visually handicapped people, on the second Sunday of every month in Chennai.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/22/stories/2009092250960200.htm