May 2024
Sankara Nethralaya Honours Atlanta-based Engineer Mr. Bala Reddy Indurti with Sankara Ratna Award
Sankara Nethralaya is proud to announce that Atlanta-based engineer and philanthropist Mr. Bala Reddy Indurti was awarded the prestigious Sankara Ratna Award for 2023 on May 25, at Shri. V. D. Swami Auditorium, Sankara Nethralaya Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus, College Road, Chennai.
Mr. Bala Reddy Indurti, an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (JNTU), and the University of Texas, has channelled his professional success into passionate social work. His efforts primarily focus on providing educational assistance to underprivileged children and organizing free health camps.
As the President of Sankara Nethralaya USA, Mr. Indurti has significantly increased the organization’s footprint by establishing numerous chapters across the United States. His notable “Adopt a Village” initiative enables Indian expatriates to sponsor Mobile Eye Surgical Units (MESU) in their ancestral villages in India, delivering essential eye care to underserved communities.
The award ceremony was attended by Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, who presented the award. Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu served as the guest of honour. The event also saw the presence of several dignitaries including former Sankara Ratna recipient and acclaimed Tamil movie director S. P. Muthuraman, Justice Prabha Sridevan (Retd.), and Dr. V. Thirupugazh I.A.S. (Retd.). Honorary Secretory, Medical Research Foundation, Mr. G Ramacharndran, Sankara Nethralaya’s President Dr. Girish Shiva Rao, Chairman Dr. T. S. Surendran, and Honorary Treasurer Mr. Kannan Narayanan graced the occasion.
Mr. Indurti expressed his gratitude and commitment to the cause, stating, “When I started working for the Sankara Nethralaya, I could see the vision of Dr. S. S. Badrinath. In the USA, we had 25 trustees and seven chapters. In the last six years after I became the president, we expanded from seven places to 21 places. We are trying to expand to more and more cities.”
In his address, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Bedi highlighted the importance of eye donation and the critical role of collaborations between government health sectors and NGOs like Sankara Nethralaya for societal betterment. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he remarked, “Service of mankind is service to God. Standing here at this ceremony, I am reminded of two categories of people. One category includes people like Bala Reddy. All the way from the USA, he thought about his brothers here in India and was involved in activities for their welfare. The next category includes doctors and paramedical staff.”
Guest of honour, Ambati Rayudu, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for greater appreciation of doctors. He shared a personal anecdote about how his child’s vision was restored by Sankara Nethralaya, expressing profound gratitude to the doctors and the institution.
The Sankara Ratna Award, established in 2002 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Sankara Nethralaya, honors distinguished individuals who have significantly supported and contributed to the institution’s mission and philosophy. Past recipients include luminaries such as Sri Ratan Tata, Sri A. M. Naik, Dr. Madhavan Nair, Tamil movie director S. P. Muthuraman, and former HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh.
This year’s award to Mr. Bala Reddy Indurti continues the tradition of recognizing exceptional contributions to society, highlighting the impactful work done by individuals in collaboration with Sankara Nethralaya.
Dr. T. S. Surendran Releases Souvenir of SWAN
On May 21, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, released a souvenir celebrating the contributions of the members of the Sankara Nethralaya Women’s Auxiliary (SWAN). This special book reflects on SWAN’s significant role in the growth and success of Sankara Nethralaya over the years.
The first copy of the book was handed over to Dr. Girish Shiva Rao by Dr. T. S. Surendran, while SWAN’s Trustee Mrs. Surekha Mehta received the second copy.
The souvenir highlights the tireless efforts of SWAN members and provides an overview of the hospital’s history and achievements. It includes detailed information about the state-of-the-art facilities available at Sankara Nethralaya, highlighting the institution’s commitment to excellence in eye care.
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the life and legacy of Dr. S.S. Badrinath, the founder of Sankara Nethralaya, whose vision and dedication have been pivotal in shaping the institution. Through personal stories and anecdotes, the souvenir also narrates Dr. Badrinath’s contributions and the enduring impact of his work.
Bust of Padma Bhushan Dr. S.S. Badrinath Unveiled at Sankara Nethralaya’s Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Center
Sankara Nethralaya is honored to announce the unveiling of a bust commemorating the visionary leadership of Dr. S.S. Badrinath. The ceremony took place at the Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Center, located at Dr. VG Appukutty Campus, No.8, GST Road, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai – 600016, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 3:05 pm.
Mr. Jagadish M Chanrai, Board Member of the Medical Research Foundation and Founder and Trustee of Mission for Vision, along with his role as a Board Member at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, unveiled the bust.
The event was graced by Mr. G. Ramachandran, Hony. Secretary of MRF, Dr. Girish Shiva Rao, President of Sankara Nethralaya, Dr. T.S. Surendran, Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, and Mr. Kannan Narayanan, Hony. Treasurer of Sankara Nethralaya.
The unveiling of this bust comes a couple of months after the first bust of Dr. S. S Badrinath was unveiled at Sankara Nethralaya’s Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus, College Road.
Kanmanigalin Kangal: Celebrating Survivorship of Retinoblastoma
In a heartfelt celebration of resilience and triumph, survivors of retinoblastoma, their parents, consultants and staff of Sankara Nethralaya gathered at the Shri. V. D. Swami Auditorium, Sankara Nethralaya’s Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus for the “Kanmanigalin Kangal” event. Organized by Dr. Suganeswari Ganesan, Senior Consultant in Vitroretina and Ocular Oncology at Sankara Nethralaya, the day-long event aimed to empower survivors, raise awareness, and provide guidance on managing retinoblastoma.
The event welcomed esteemed guests, including Padma Shri Ramesh Krishnan, renowned Indian tennis coach and player, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, as the distinguished guest of honor. Also in attendance were Mrs. Stella Jacqueline Mathew, Managing Trustee of Golden Butterflies Children Palliative Care Foundation, and Mrs. Aparna Guhan Shyam, Founder & CEO of Tiara Haemophilia and Cancer Foundation, as guests of honor.
The day commenced with cultural activities, setting a joyful tone for the event. Attendees and participants were treated to a celebratory lunch, followed by enlightening speeches by experts in the field. Dr. Suganeswari Ganesan shed light on the “Science Behind Retinoblastoma,” while Dr. Dhaarani Jayaraman, Consultant in Paediatric Hemato Oncology at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, offered insightful guidance by speaking on the topic, “Taking Care of a Child With Cancer”.
Dr. K Satish Srinivas, Senior Consultant in Radiation Oncology at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, discussed “Radiation Therapy: Do’s and Don’ts,” while Dr. R Ganesh, Senior Consultant and Head of General Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, addressed “Genetic Diseases in Day to Day Life.” Mrs. Stella Jacqueline Mathew and Mrs. Aparna Guhan Shyam shared their expertise on Palliative Care and Retinoblastoma, respectively.
An open house session provided attendees with the opportunity to seek clarification on any doubts they had. Following a tea break, the main event commenced with an invocation song by Dr. Vinata Muralidharan, Senior Consultant, Sankara Nethralaya, and a welcome address by Dr. Suganeswari. Dr. Girish Shiva Rao, President of Sankara Nethralaya, introduced the Chief Guest, while Dr. T. S. Surendran, Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, delivered a special address.
Sankara Nethralaya’s Distinguished Senior Consultant Dr. Lingam Gopal provided an introduction to Dr. Preetha Reddy before the felicitation of the chief guests. Cultural events, including “Celebrating Survivorship,” were conducted and anchored by Dr. Mithika Sen. The Chief Guest and Dr. Preetha Reddy addressed the gathering, inspiring hope and resilience among the attendees. Dr. Charanya C, consultant at Sankara Nethralaya, concluded the event with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants and supporters.
The “Kanmanigalin Kangal” event celebrated survivorship and served as a platform for education, guidance, and empowerment in the fight against retinoblastoma. It brought together survivors, caregivers, experts, and advocates, creating a community of support and solidarity in the journey towards overcoming this challenging condition.
Dr. Jaichandran VV Elected General Secretary of World Congress of Ophthalmic Anaesthesia 2028
Dr. Jaichandran VV, Sankara Nethralaya’s Deputy Director of Anaesthesia, has achieved a remarkable feat by being elected as the General Secretary of the World Congress of Ophthalmic Anaesthesia 2028. This prestigious appointment was announced during the Annual General Meeting held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 27, 2024.