L&T and Sankara Nethralaya have cherished strong association. L&T has built and supported many facilities for Nethralaya. Sankara Nethralaya has also been conducting many eye camps for L&T and Prayas, providing quality eye care service to the community of underprivileged. As a step forward in this collaborative Corporate Social Initiative, Mr. K.V. Rangaswami, Advisor to Chairman, presented a cheque of Rs. 4 lakhs towards L&T’s sponsorship for a Topcon Slit Lamp equipment which will be used by Nethralaya in all their eye camps.
In addition, the list and names of 273 cornea donors — all L&T staff and family members who had pledged their eyes – was also presented by KVR to Dr. Sheila John, Head Tele Ophthalmology, Sankara Nethralaya at HQ Chennai on March 29, 2012.
Speaking during the occasion in the midst of the team that helped launch the eye donation drive, Mr. K.V. Rangaswami (KVR) said that L&T and Sankara Nethralaya’s association is a testimony to the quality and commitment provided to society at large in eye care. Hailing eye donation as a great noble act, KVR said that such initiatives should be well communicated to the public to facilitate greater awareness for eye donation and people’s participation.
Mr. V.S Ramana (VSR), Head Corporate Communications set the context by emphasizing on the importance of eye donation. VSR briefed on L&T’s eye donation campaign carried out across L&T Construction. He said “while planning for the eye donation drive, L&T’s Corporate Social Initiative team unearthed the ‘heart-rending story’ of the L&T’s unsung hero – late Sri. S. Balachander, EHS Engineer who becomes a multi organ donor in May 2010. Thanks to the compassion and graciousness of his family members – seven people got a new lease of life. Such an L&T testimonial was inspiration to drive the campaign and for so many to pledge their eyes.”
Dr. Sheila John thanked L&T for sponsoring the Topcon slit lamp and said that this would greatly facilitate community ophthalmology and offer rural patients the same kind of quality service as in hospitals. This facility would benefit over 14000 patients annually, she added.