The Nation’s 66th Independence Day was celebrated with joy and patriotic fervor at the Sankara Nethralaya Main campus, the day also marked the acknowledging of services and contributions of Sankara Nethralaya employees at different levels. Just as the preceding year when the towering presence of Shri V.Kalyanam a veteran freedom fighter and a man who lived during the tumultuous days of the freedom struggle and post independence era and served as the personal secretary of the Father of the nation captured the spirit of the day and took the participants back in time, Sankara Nethralaya was fortunate to have another veteran of the times, the illustrious editor of the highly respected Tamil journal Amudhasurbhi, Shri Thiruppur Krishnan taking them back to a bygone era of struggle, sacrifice, nationalism and integrity. Shri Thiruppur Krishnan delivered a most inspiring speech interspersed with his personal interactions with great leaders and his first hand observations of the nation’s political scenario spanning more than 5 decades. He expressed his high regard for Sankara Nethralaya and its founder Dr SS.Badrinath and remarked that he considered it his good fortune to meet with him in person and preside over the function.
The day’s proceedings started with the customary escorting of the esteemed Chief Guest to the dais and flag pole by Dr SS.Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus, accompanied by Dr S.Bhaskaran, Chairman, Dr TS.Surendran, Vice-Chairman, Dr Vasanthi Badrinath, Director Clinical Services and Shri PR.Ravindran, Chief General Manager, Sankara Nethralaya, this was followed by the glorious moment of the day, the hoisting of the national tricolor by the Chief Guest and an enthusiastic rendering of the national anthem by the gathering.
Dr. Sripriya Krishnamurthy, Consultant, Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Centre extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, the senior management team, Consultants, employees, volunteers of Swan after which Dr S.Meenakshi, Director, Academics introduced the Chief Guest, paying rich tributes to his high principles, maintaining high editorial standards and remaining a shining example of journalistic ethics and standards in the face of rampant commercialization and glamorization of the print media and how Amudhasurabhi remains an island of high literary standards in a world of literary and ethical decay. This was followed by the honouring of the Chief Guest by the Chairman Emeritus and his address. A well choreographed dance program by the children of Consultants trained by Ms Kousalya Appukutty, Trustee of SWAN to the accompaniment of a patriotic song added colour and entertainment to the day’s proceedings.
The awarding ceremony started with the Man of the Year award to Shri Kuppa Rao of Maintenance Department and woman of the year award to Ms. Latha Suresh of Surgery fixing centre by the Chief Guest followed by a brief thanks note by them. This was followed by awards to staff members who have completed 10,15,20,25 and 30 years of meritorious service at Sankara Nethralaya and the in-house cricket trophy by the Chief Guest, Chairman Emeritus, Members of the Senior Management and Consultants. While the best department of the year was awarded to the Nursing Department, this year witnessed the institution and awarding of three special awards, ‘Outstanding Performer’ awards to Shri D.Venkatesan of OT Department and Ms V.Usha from Medical Transcription department. Ms Shyamala Selvaraj, DGM, Sankara Nethralaya Centers, Customer Care and Quality Management was recognized for collecting the maximum number of eye donation pledges for 2011, on the occasion. The function ended with vigorous handshakes to the winners by their colleagues and breakfast at the cafeteria.