The 9th of December 2014 became a red letter day in the annals of Sankara Nethralaya’s history when Rotary International President Gary C K Huang and the first lady Madame Corinna visited the main campus of Sankara Nethralaya to dedicate the prestigious Rotary Global Grant to aid the phenomenal work being carried out at the Dr. G.Sitalakshmi Memorial Clinic for Ocular Surface Disorders. Dr. Geetha Krishnan Iyer, Senior Consultant at the Corneal Services Department gave a befitting start to the day’s function by quoting Martin Luther King’s illustrious lines on being a dedicated fighter for civil rights.
Speaking on the occasion Rtn. Satish Kumar, President Elect, Rotary Club of Guindy observed that the club’s Vision care initiatives have made a modest beginning with Sankara Nethralaya. He added that Sankara Nethralaya’s project on “Prevention and Management of Corneal Blindness due to Ocular Surface Disorders” synchronised perfectly with “Light up – Rotary” the central theme of the Rotary club which had assumed international significance.
Addressing the gathering Dr. Aloysius, Director of International Services, Rotary Club of Penang, who had flown all the way from Penang, Malaysia for the occasion observed that it was a wonderful event which would pave the way for restoring sight for those who had lost this wonderful faculty, he had a high word of praise for the community and relief services rendered by the Rotary Club of Guindy. Reading the Presidential message on behalf of Rotary President Woon Bee Kim, Rotary Club of Alor Star, Rtn. Jaganath Ramaswamy, quoted that they were honoured and thankful to be a part of the international project with Sankara Nethralaya to alleviate pain and suffering due to Ocular Surface Disorders. Unveiling the Rotary Global Grant plaque in dedication to Dr. G.Sitalakshmi Memorial Clinic for Ocular Surface disorders, along with Dr.SS Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus, the Chief Guest of the day, President, Rotary International, Gary CK Huang congratulated Rotary Club of Guindy for their remarkable achievement in mobilizing funds for the project and expressed his readiness to extend all support.
Showering praise on Dr. Geetha Iyer and Dr.Baskar Srinivasan’s contributions to the Cornea dept, Dr S.S Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus, Sankara Nethralaya, observed that Dr.Prema Padmanabhan, Head of the Cornea department was the Guru to both of them. He gratefully recalled the unflinching support of Rtn.Srikanth’s services to the eye bank, followed by a documentary filmed featuring Rajnikanth highlighting the critical role of eye donation. Touching upon the Mobile Eye Surgical Unit Dr. Badrinath observed that everyone must have a cherished dream and work ceaselessly towards it. Quoting Mahakavi Bharathiyar’s celebrated quote: இனியொரு விதிசெய்வோம் அதை எந்த நாளும் காப்போம், தனியொருவனுக் குணவிலை யெனில் ஜகத்தினை அழித்திடுவோம். Dr Badrinath made an emphatic remark that “every single human being shall have the right to eyesight”, to the thunderous applause of the audience. Rtn PT Prabhakaran, Director, Rotary International in his message venerated Dr.SS Badrinath as the “Father of Vision Care” and assured that they would work sincerely towards translating his passion to action. The highly absorbing function concluded with a profound vote of thanks by Rtn L Neelakantan, President, Rotary Club of Guindy.