SN Events
Memorial Service Held for Padma Bhushan Dr. SS Badrinath on His Death Anniversary at Sankara Nethralaya
Chennai, 23/11/2024: The death anniversary of Padma Bhushan Dr. SS Badrinath, the visionary founder of Sankara Nethralaya, was observed with a heartfelt memorial service at the College Road branch of Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai. The event was attended by several eminent personalities, including Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, a founding member of the GOVEL Trust and the driving force behind the Aravind Eye Care System, and N. Ram, Director of THG Publishing Private Limited, the publishing arm of The Hindu Group.
Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, who is known for his pioneering work in the field of ophthalmology and for his significant contributions to eye care, graced the occasion as the chief guest. During his speech he recalled his days with Dr. SS Badrinath when they both were mentored by Dr. Charles Schepens in Boston.
N. Ram, the guest of honour and esteemed journalist, shared his personal reflections on Dr. Badrinath’s life and legacy, highlighting how his dedication to the cause of blindness prevention and eye care transformed countless lives. Recalling his cherished memory with Dr. Badrinath, he said, “A political correspondent, who is very popular but I cannot name him, once came to Sankara Nethralaya for a check-up with Dr. S. S. Badrinath after I recommended the same. After returning from the treatment, he told me, ‘I was seated right next to an auto-rickshaw driver, and Dr. Badrinath treated both of us equally.’
Both speakers captivated the audience with their tributes, reminiscing about Dr. Badrinath’s extraordinary journey and the indelible mark he left on the world of healthcare and social service.
The ceremony was a fitting tribute to Dr. Badrinath’s contributions to the medical community and his influence on Sankara Nethralaya’s mission to provide quality eye care to all.
Kanmanigalin Kangal: Sankara Nethralaya Observes World Prematurity Day
Sankara Nethralaya marked World Prematurity Day with a meaningful program held at the Shri. VD Swami Auditorium on November 20. The event brought attention to the critical importance of early detection and care in pediatric ophthalmology.
The highlight of the evening was an insightful guest lecture by Dr. Rema Chandra Mohan, a renowned expert in the field. Her talk, titled “If Early, How Early,” shed light on the significance of timely interventions for eye health in premature infants, emphasizing how early screenings can prevent life-altering complications.
In addition to the lecture, the institution encouraged active participation from its community by organizing a video contest on pediatric eye diseases. Employees of Sankara Nethralaya, as well as students of the The Sankara Nethralaya Academy (TNSA) and the Elite School of Optometry (ESO), and CU Shah Ophthalmic PG Training Center showcased their creativity and awareness through engaging entries.
Bhoomi Pooja Ceremony Held for New Agastya TNK Family Sankara Nethralaya Branch in Tondiarpet
Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital is set to expand its services with the establishment of a new branch in Tondiarpet, Chennai. The new facility, named Agastya TNK Family Sankara Nethralaya, aims to cater to the growing demand for quality eye care in the region.
The auspicious Bhoomi Pooja ceremony for the upcoming facility was held on June 16, 2024. The event was graced by the presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Pujyashri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, who blessed the occasion and the future endeavors of the hospital.
Speaking during the event, His Holiness Jagadguru Pujyashri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal said, “It is crucial to contribute to such noble causes. We appreciate the generous donation of land by the Sri Agastyar Charitable Trust, which has provided a 98-year lease for this important project.” He went on to praise Sankara Nethralaya, stating, “Sankara Nethralaya has been serving the underserved communities of India, thanks to the vision of its founder, Dr. Badrinath. Through their Mobile Eye Surgical Units, they have been reaching the doorstep of the rural population taking eye care to people who have less access. Dr. Badrinath has trained a team of highly skilled surgeons who are dedicated to carrying forward his mission,” he said.
Prominent figures from Sankara Nethralaya and its parent organization, the Medical Research Foundation, attended the ceremony including the likes of Mr. G Ramachandran, Honorary Secretary of the Medical Research Foundation, Dr. Girish Shiva Rao, President and Executive Medical Director of Sankara Nethralaya, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, Mr. Kannan Narayanan, Honorary Treasurer of Medical Research Foundation.
The Agastya TNK Family Sankara Nethralaya is touted to become yet another addition to Chennai’s healthcare landscape, continuing the legacy of Sankara Nethralaya in delivering exceptional eye care services.
SWAN Fundraising Event Showcases Remarkable Talent of Physically Challenged Dancers
In a heartwarming display of talent and community support, the Sankara Nethralaya Women Auxiliary (SWAN) hosted a successful fundraising event on June 2 at the Naradha Ghana Sabha in Chennai. The event highlighted the remarkable abilities of physically challenged dancers from the renowned group, ‘Miracle on Wheels.’
The evening provided a platform to celebrate inclusivity and empowerment, as the dancers took to the stage, captivating the audience with their breathtaking performances. Despite facing physical challenges, the dancers showcased their extraordinary talent and narrated stories of Ramayana and Maharabaratha proving that determination and passion know no bounds.
The event was attended by several esteemed dignitaries including Mr. G Ramacharndran, the Honorary Secretary of the Medical Research Foundation, Dr. Girish Shiva Rao, President of Sankara Nethralaya, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, and Mr. Kannan Narayanan, Honorary Treasurer of Sankara Nethralaya.
As the curtains drew to a close on the evening’s performances, attendees left with hearts full of inspiration and a renewed commitment to supporting initiatives that empower the marginalized and celebrate diversity.
SWAN’s fundraising event raised essential funds for Sankara Nethralaya and shone a spotlight on the incredible talents of physically challenged dancers.
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.
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.
Sankara Nethralaya’s Women’s Day Bash: Celebrating the Strength of Womanhood!
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Sankara Nethralaya organized a vibrant celebration to honor the accomplishments and contributions of women within the organization. The day was marked with creativity, camaraderie, and insightful discussions, all centered on the theme “Wonders of being a woman.”
The celebration kicked off with an innovative activity where women employees were divided into groups and assigned walls to decorate. Each group infused their artistic talents into the walls, expressing the multifaceted aspects of womanhood and celebrating the strengths, achievements, and aspirations of women around the world.
The theme, “Wonders of being a woman,” inspired colorful and thought-provoking displays that showcased the resilience, diversity, and beauty inherent in womanhood. From depicting historic female figures who shattered barriers to celebrating the nurturing spirit of motherhood, the decorated walls paid tribute to the contributions of women to society.
Later in the evening, Sankara Nethralaya family gathered for a special evening event filled with laughter and engaging activities. The highlight of the evening was the presence of esteemed guest speaker Dr. Sivaranjani Arun B, a distinguished Gynecologist and Obstetrician from Bharath Hospital.
Dr. Sivaranjani Arun B captivated the audience with her insightful speech on menstruation and fertility, shedding light on important health issues that affect women. The event also featured several fun activities, including games and performances, creating a festive atmosphere where women could unwind and celebrate their achievements. From inspiring speeches to joyful celebrations, the Women’s Day event at Sankara Nethralaya remembered the resilience, strength, and beauty of women everywhere.
Sankara Nethralaya hosts the 5th Annual Retina Summit 2023
The 5th Annual Retina Summit 2023 was held on 30th June and 1st July at the Taj Coromandel. The theme focused on “Macular Surgery.” This year’s Retina Summit was special as it was conducted after a hiatus of three years.
The eyes are a window to the universe, and the power to see this universe is concentrated in a small specialized central area of the retina called as the Macula. Several maladies that affect this macula can instantly rob the vision resulting in central blindness. Thus, it is extremely important to restore and repair the macular area.
Macular surgery is among the most intricate, delicate and skillful surgery. It requires training, hard work and concentration to perform these surgeries. Surgery for a macular hole is the most commonly performed surgery among the various macular surgeries. With the advances in techniques, the success rate of this surgery has improved to nearly 98%. A patient who has lost central vision due to a macular hole can have a very good chance of recovering full vision with this surgery. Other macular surgeries are removal of epiretinal membrane, surgery for macular schisis associated with high myopia, etc.
The Retina Summit was inaugurated on Friday, 30th June 2023 at the Hotel Taj Coromandel. Chief guests for the function, Shri N Ram, Head of The Hindu Group and Shri N Kumar, Vice Chairman of the Sanmar Group lit the lamp and commented on several sociological insights in connection with healthcare sector and gave their unique perspectives. This was followed by a musical performance by ‘Madhan’s Band” led by Sri Madhan Prakash, and a Gala dinner.
The Retina Summit 2023 brought together the niche circle of vitreoretinal specialists who shared their experiences and insights to enrich the knowledge of the participants. The sessions were an interactive blend of keynote talks, panel discussions, case presentations and videos. Many well-known and preeminent national and international experts, along with Sankara Nethralaya’s in-house faculty contributed to make it a collaborative and enjoyable experience.
Sankara Nethralaya has always been at the forefront of innovation, constantly questioning the conventional and pushing boundaries to develop newer insights. This 5th Retina Summit conference is the only unique conference being held in a highly specialized niche field of macular surgery. It stands testament to Sankara Nethralaya’s endeavor to bring together renowned experts both national and international who will pave the way for innovations, and collaborations. This is also a great opportunity for the young generation of Retinal surgeons in the country to learn special tips and tricks from the experts in the field.
The Retina Summit brought together 250 delegates from all corners of India and international delegates from Kenya, Singapore, etc.
Press Coverage:
Fifth retina summit inaugurated – Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/fifth-retina-summit-inaugurated/articleshow/101407811.cms
Doctors and journalists must work to dispel medical misinformation, says N. Ram – The Hindu
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/doctors-and-journalists-must-work-to-dispel-medical-misinformation/article67028137.ece
Tamil Press coverage of Retina Summit held on 30th June and 1st July 2023.at Taj Coromandel
http://omlog.org/header/retina-summit-2023-media-news.pdf
Sudharsana Homam
The annual “Sudharsana Homam”, for the well being of Sankara Nethralaya and its employees was performed at the institution on September 5, 2010. Dr. PS Rajesh and his wife undertook the ‘Sankalpam’ this year. Thirteen purohits performed six homams on the occasion.