As a service oriented healthcare institution Sankara Nethralaya has many things in common with the Ramakrishna Mutt, its philosophy has been highly inspired by the sense of sacrifice, service and pioneering spirit exhibited by His Holiness Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. The formative years spent at the Ramakrishna Mutt School had left an indelible impact on the institution’s Founder and Chief Architect Dr S.S.Badrinath and influenced his direction and future decisions of life, the most important being the starting of Sankara Nethralaya. It was hence most appropriate that the ‘Independence Day’ celebration at Sankara Nethralaya was presided over by a most worthy disciple of the Mutt, Swami Vimurthananda, Manager – Ramakrishna Mutt and Editor ‘Ramakrishna Vijayam’. Dr T.S. Surendran, Vice-Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya extended a warm welcome to the revered Chief Guest and the large gathering consisting of Consultants, Researchers, Senior management members, employees and well wishers and their families, he recalled in his customary lighter vein, his own tryst with spiritualism and futile attempts at becoming a Swamiji. The Chief Guest unfurled the national tricolour as the gathering rendered the National Anthem in chorus. The day witnessed the exhibition of talent in singing and dancing by employees and their children, awarding of academic scholarships to the deserving children of employees, service awards to long serving employees, department wise performance awards and the most awaited ‘Man of the Year and Woman of the Year’ Awards as a recognition and encouragement to staff members. The man of the year award was awarded to Shri P.Krishnamurthy- Head- Bio-Engineering/Instrumentation Department and the woman of the year was awarded to Ms. Sridevi, Manager, the Sankara Nethralaya Academy.

Shri A.P.Irungovel, Manager – Patient Education& Counselling, an ardent devotee of Swami Vivekananda gave a brief and interesting introduction of the Chief Guest, in his inimitable, chaste Tamil. The Swamiji started his speech on a warm note by expressing that speaking at the Sankara Nethralaya made him feel so much at home and he considered the members of Sankara Nethralaya as part of the Ramakrishna Mutt, as its founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr SS.Badrinath is a product of their institution. It was a thought provoking I-Day oration and in keeping with the spirit of awakening so characteristic of his Mutt and Order the Swamiji raised some fundamental questions like ‘Are we truly independent today after 68 years of self rule? He raised the question that while the nation has attained political freedom, if it has attained freedom from its politicians. He appealed to the gathering to work like masters and with a single minded devotion on whatever they were pursuing and soon the world will take notice of them. The day ended with lot of food for thought and a sumptuous breakfast for all the attendees.