The Sri V.D. Swami auditorium at the Sankara Nethralaya (Main) campus on college road came live to a lot of jubilation, the air was filled with passionate, adulatory observations on the institution’s revolutionary community ophthalmology initiative for creating a good impact at a recent camp, by senior officials of the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) Kalpakkam, on the 6th of April 2016. The occasion was the felicitation and honouring of the team operating the ‘Mobile Eye Surgical Unit,’ Sankara Nethralaya’s revolutionary and ‘One of its kind in Asia’ operation theatre on wheels, which had performed a high number of Cataract surgeries, benefiting villagers surrounding the Kalpakkam plant, as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Power Station.

Welcoming the audience Dr P.S.Rajesh head of the MESU complimented his teammatesfor their wonderful team work and involvement which he described as a shining example of the ‘Sankara Nethralaya Spirit’. Speaking on an emotional note Chief Guest Shri Ravi Satyanarayana the Station Director of facility expressed that the selfless spirit, concern and hard work demonstrated by the MESU team filled him with an unshakeable belief and faith that ‘India will grow and prosper’ with its future in the hands of such spirited and committed young men. He described the MESU camp at Kalpakkam as a service to the ‘Poorest of the poor’. Sharing his views Shri K.Suresh, Superintendent Quality Assurance and Convenor CSR Committee, MAPS underlined that the MESU camp helped in endearing his institution with the local community and enhanced its image as a humane institution going beyond atomic power generation and management of energy. Making his observation that the joy of revived vision was a heavenly experience which cannot be described in words but can only be experienced, he explained that it is this joy that the MESU team has brought into the lives of the poor visually impaired living in the neighbouring villages.

The event witnessed the honouring of every member of the MESU team comprising of camp in-charge, operation theatre staff, maintenance staff, IT support staff, nurses, anaesthetists, Fellows, drivers of the unit and Consultants,  with a plaque by the Chief Guest Shri Ravi Satyanarayana, Station Director, Madras Atomic Power Station.

Introducing the Chief Guest of the day as the very epitome of the saying ‘Simple Living High Thinking’ Dr.KS.Vasan, Managing Director, Sankara Nethralaya described the MAPS as a great example of India’s technological advancement and self reliance.

Thanking the senior officials of the MAPS and the Korean Consul General to Chennai for gracing the occasion Dr. SS.Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus, Sankara Nethralaya, observed that it was most heartening to note that in a fast paced, self seeking world where no one had any time for anyone other than himself, the MAPS and its officials have spent their time and resources in conducting such a noble camp and have showered their love and affection on the MESU team, their partner in service. He had a high word of praise for the members of the MESU team who have stayed away from their families for weeks together and put in hard, sincere work from morning to evening to make the screening/surgical camp a great success. He hoped that the adulation and love and affection showered on the MESU team by the MAPS officials would trigger a positive vibration among all the staff members assembled on the occasion and inculcate a spirit of service and sacrifice in them. The emotionally charged function closed with a spirited Vote of Thanks by Dr.Gajendra Kumar Varma a Consultant serving at the MESU.