One of Sankara Nethralaya’s most steadfast supporters and well-wishers, Lion S. N. Harinarayanan has devoted his life to making the lives of the less fortunate better. He received the Service Above Self Award by the Tamilnadu Ophthalmic Association on 20th March, 2022, instituted by the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association.
Lion S. N. Harinarayanan joined Lions Club of Central Madras in 1986, with the sole objective of serving the community and reaching out to as many people as possible.
In 1998, under his leadership, the Lions Club of Central Madras championed the cause of fighting blindness. Having started with a LCIF Grant for upgrading the facilities of the Community wing at Sankara Nethralaya, to increase the number of free Cataract surgeries performed under the ‘Reach Out program’, he was instrumental in the project and in increasing the number of surgeries being performed from 4,500 to 10,000 over a period of 24 months.
Lion S. N. Harinarayanan’s resolve to dedicate his life to fighting blindness was cemented when he witnessed the impact the community services project had on the patients.
He and Lions Club of Central Madras, worked with Sankara Nethralaya, playing a vital role in facilitating funds and helping in upgrading of the equipment.
He was responsible for organizing eye screening camps in the economically weaker neighborhoods of Chennai and the neighboring villages. He was instrumental in identifying people with vision problems, bringing them to the base hospital for a comprehensive examination, arranging the required treatment, and facilitating their return journey. This end-to-end eye care approach has been developed into the complete community care services rendered by the Sankara Nethralaya Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Center.
Till date, Lion S. N. Harinarayanan and Lions Club of Central Madras has been responsible for organizing over 800 camps, facilitating 12,500 cataract surgeries and more than 1,500 other eye surgeries.
In 2003, his passion and dedication to Sight First got him involved in a three-year project of Lion’s Club of Central Madras for Screening & Treating of Diabetic Retinopathy.
Again, a LCIF Funded Project spread over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Villuppuram and Tiruvannamalai, created awareness about Diabetic Retinopathy, and facilitated screening camps for detection and treatment to avoid further loss of vision. The scope of the project extended to a training program for ophthalmologists working in Lions Eye Hospitals across India for screening and treating diabetic retinopathy.
Lion S. N. Harinarayanan’s contribution in the fight against preventable blindness has been recognized by many and his accolades include the Friend of Humanity’ Award from the Lions Clubs International Foundation in 2008-2009; ‘Helping Hands’ Award from the Lions Clubs International Foundation in 2009-2010, and many International President’s appreciation certificates, multiple and district certificates
Sankara Nethralaya has also awarded this dedicated and selfless philanthropist for propagating the need and necessity for eye donation and also for motivating many to donate their Cornea at the time of death.
Sankara Nethralaya salutes Lion S. N. Harinarayanan, a true champion in the fight against preventable blindness in our community for Service Above Self.