The 6th of September 2012 marked Sankara Nethralaya’s entry into its 35th year of operation and service to mankind, proud members of the Sankara Nethralaya family from the Main campus and other centers in the city gathered in full strength at the Sri VD.Swami Auditorium to wish each other and participate in the Foundation Day oration. The Day started on an auspicious note with an invocation by Dr Nivedhitha Narayan, Consultant, Department of Cornea.
It was time to recall the 34 eventful, glorious years that had passed by with a sense of pride and satisfaction and Dr Rashmin Anil Kumar Gandhi, Consultant, Department of Neuro-ophthalmology and Director E-Learning and Sankara Nethralaya Academy gave an interesting account of the inception, growth, land mark achievements in clinical processes, research, teaching & training and community ophthalmology, including a detailed account on the first of its kind in Asia outdoor surgical bus developed in collaboration with IIT-Madras. Dr Gandhi had a special word of praise for the dedication of the medical/paramedical team and crew of the outdoor surgical bus and identified them for a standing applause.
This was followed by a detailed account of the significant strides made by the Vision Research Foundation by its Director Dr Ronnie George, including the recent contribution by its scientists to a study on Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma which figured in ‘nature genetics’ a leading research journal. He ended on the note that it was the financial and emotional support extended by Dr. SS.Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus which was instrumental in the success and achievements of the VRF’s research initiatives.
The Chief Guest of the evening Padmashri Dr KG.Bhakthavatsalam, Chairman and MD of KG Hospital and Post Graduate Medical Institute was introduced by Dr TS.Surendran, Vice Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya. This was followed by a most absorbing and motivating foundation day address by Dr Bhakthavatsalam touching on literally every facet of life including enduring human values. He recalled the struggle that pioneers like Dr SS.Badrinath and himself had faced in their efforts to give life to their dream projects in the healthcare sector, in the early days. He observed that Dr SS.Badrinath would be known more for the number of surgeons that his institutions trained than for the number of surgeries performed in them. The Chief Guest closed his address with an emotional appeal to all employees gathered to bring out the best in them in the service of mankind and fulfill the founding principles of the great institution they served.
Speaking in the occasion Dr S.Bhaskaran, Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya acknowledged the services, sacrifice and contribution of the doctors and staff who made the Sankara Nethralaya a great success and a model healthcare centre. He made a surprise cash award to Shri Sampath Kumar, Chief Information & Technology officer for his significant contribution towards implementing Information technology in the day to day running of the hospital.
The Foundation Day function ended with an emotional vote of thanks by Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology Dr. Lily Therese’s wholehearted acknowledgement of the ceaseless efforts of the founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr SS.Badrinath and senior staff members at every stage to make his dream come true.