Sankara Nethralaya holds 32nd Institutional Awards Ceremony
The 32nd Institutional Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday, 05th March, 2022 in V.D. Swami Auditorium. After more than 2 years, parents and families of the students were able to attend the Institutional Awards ceremony and the V D. Auditorium was packed.
The ceremony began with the procession led by Dr. Anuradha, Principal, Dr. Rashima A., HOD- Occupational Optometry Services, and Assistant Professor (ESO), Dr. S. Vishwanathan, HOD- Optometry and Optical Services, Elite School of Optometry, Dr. Anand A. R., Senior Associate Professor and In-charge – Microbiology, Sri Nathella Sampathu Chetty Clinical Laboratory Services, Dr. Ronnie George, President & Director – Research, Director of Glaucoma Services, Dr. Smita Praveen, Director of Academics, Professor Lieutenant – Colonel Dr. Arunachalam Ravikumar, Pro-Vice- Chancellor, Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman & Director Pediatric Ophthalmology, Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, and Dr. N. Angayarkanni, Director, Laboratory Services. The Ph. D guides joining these distinguished members of the medical fraternity on the stage were Dr. S. Krishna Kumar, Chief Scientist & Professor, Histopathology Lab, Dr. Umashankar, Dr. K. Koraila Kurian, Dr.Sailaja Elchuri, Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Professor Nanotechnology Lab, and Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Director of Uvea Services.
Mr. Durairaj, Ph. D Scholar, rendered the invocation song. Dr. N. Angayarkanni then welcomed the gathering with an encouraging speech to the students graduating this year. She paid her respects to Dr. S. S. Badrinath, and Dr. (Mrs.) Vasanthi Badrinath. She welcomed Dr. Girish S. Rao and thanked him for enabling ceremony to move to the real world from the virtual. Dr. Angayarkanni extended a warm welcome to Dr. T. S. Surendran, the honorable Chief Guest, Dr. Arunachalam Ravikumar, and all the academicians and the Ph.D guides to the awards ceremony
Dr. Anuradha, Principal – ESO, presented the academic report for July 2020-June 2021. The first batch of Post graduates and 27 undergraduates of Elite School of Optometry in collaboration with SASTRA deemed university are the 32nd batch passing out of ESO. All of whom have found career placements. Post graduate students, Ms. Mehal and Ms. Jannet won the award for best paper presentation and best case report in the India Vision Institute conference, Dr. Rashima received Best Case Report award from the Optometry Council of India, and Dr. Anuradha N. received the Outstanding Contributions to the Public Health award from the Optometry Council of India. ESO published three science indexed publications in the fields of community ophthalmology, occupational optometry, and Contact Lens. The ESO staff, students, and educators collaborated on conducting over 10 eye screening camps in rural areas. Dr. Anuradha N. went on to report the many activities carried out by ESO in spite of the difficulties over the past couple of years.
Then, Dr. Rashima, introduced the Chief Guest, Professor Lt Col Arunachalam Ravikumar MS, Dip NB, DLORCS (England), FRCS (Glasgow), FAMS, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology. Dr. Rashima condensed his impressive 40-page long resume into a two-minute introductory speech.
Dr. Girish S. Rao, President presented the Chief Guest with a welcome gift. Prof Lt Col Arunachalam Ravikumar took the podium to thank everyone for the honour of addressing the gathering, and he specially thanked the Board of Trustees, Dr. Anuradha N. and Dr. T. S. Surendran. Prof. Arunachalam reminded students that they were fortunate to study during a time of technological advancements that gave them an advantage in treating their patients. He reminisced about his early years of medical practice and the advances in ophthalmology over the years. He applauded Sankara Nethralaya for bringing the retinal implant to Indians without disparity. He encouraged the outgoing students to treat the patient as a whole and keep the patient’s welfare at the forefront. Professor Lt Col Arunachalam Ravikumar concluded his address by thanking everyone once again.
Thereafter, Dr. A. R. Anand, presented the academic activities of the Vidyasagar Institute of Biomedical Technology and Sciences (VIBS) between July 2020 and June 2021. VIBS was established in 2006 to promote biomedical sciences and biomedical technologies with a generous donation by the Late Padma Shri Iravadam Mahadevan in memory of his son, the Late Shri Vidyasagar. This academic year, VIBS had 5 Ph.D. Degree Awardees, 4 under the SASTRA deemed to be University, Thanjavur and one under Anna University, Chennai. Of these, 3 of the candidates were present to receive the award and two were given in absentia. In the past two decades, Sankara Nethralaya produced 72 PhDs in basic sciences who are shining in all corners of the world. VIBS boasts of 595 publications in basic medical sciences in the last 2 decades. The awards were distributed by Dr. Girish S. Rao and the Chief Guest to the ecstatic students. Dr. A. R. Anand concluded this part of the ceremony by wishing the new PH.Ds the very best for their future.
Click here for list of VIBS awardees
The undergraduates of the Elite School of Optometry rendered the Optometry Oath led by Dr. Viswanathan S., HOD- Optometry services and Assistant Professor, ESO. Dr. Anuradha N., then invited Prof. Arunachalam to present the newly minted graduates with their Master’s degree certificates. Ms. Karthiga, M.Optom, delivered a moving and stirring valedictory speech on behalf of the post graduate class, while Ms. Vinodhini delivered the valedictory speech on behalf of the undergraduates.
Dr. Anuradha N. then announced the ESO endowment awards, which were presented by Prof Arunachalam, Dr. T. S. Surendran, and Dr. Rashima.
Click here for list of Elite School of Optometry awardees
Dr. Smita Praveen, Director of Academics, presented the Institutional Awards. Dr. Sheila John, PhD, HoD – Teleophthalmology, was also honored on stage by her guide, Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas. The institutional awards were handed out by Dr. Girish S. Rao, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Dr. Ronnie George and Prof. Arunachalam.
Click here for list of Institutional Awards 2021
The ceremony concluded with Dr. Vishwanathan’s vote of thanks. He extolled the outgoing students and awardees to remember and uphold the values of their alma mater. He thanked the staff and students for making the event a grand success.
State Bank of India’s Shri Challa Sreenivasulu Setty MD (R&DB) and Shri R. Radhakrishna, CGM Chennai circle, inaugurate New Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer
Sankara Nethralaya has always kept up with the latest technological updates in ophthalmology. Our benefactors and supporters have believed in our mission to bring world-class quality eye-care to the have-nots regardless of their ability to pay. On 21-02-2022, Shri Challa Sreenivasulu Setty MD (R & DB) State Bank of India and Shri R. Radhakrishna CGM Chennai circle on Shri Challa Sreenivasulu Setty MD (R&DB) SBI visited Sankara Nethralaya to inaugurate the newly installed Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer.
Sankara Nethralaya’s association with State Bank of India dates back to the 1990s when Dr. S. S. Badrinath had approached several corporate entities for funding towards community care initiatives. Two stalwarts of Chennai’s cityscape – State Bank of India (local head office), Chennai and the Sankara Nethralaya main campus have been neighbors at College Road for decades. State Bank of India serves as our official banker and recommends our institution as the preferred eye care provider to its employees.
One of the earliest corporate and public sector organizations to join our fight to bring vision to the have-nots was the State Bank of India in an era when corporate social responsibility (CSR) was unknown in India. In 2013, State Bank of India had contributed a large sum for the second floor at the A. Sivasailam Block, JKCN on Pycrofts Garden Road, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative.
Sankara Nethralaya approached the SBI seeking support to upgrade Glaucoma diagnostic equipment. In a commendable demonstration of concern and solidarity with its cause the CSR department of the SBI agreed immediately to fund the entire cost of a New Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer.
In a brief yet evocative ceremony, Shri Challa Sreenivasulu Setty MD (R&DB) SBI inaugurated the medical equipment on Tuesday, 21-02-2022 in the presence of Shri R. Radhakrishna, CGM Chennai circle, Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, G. Ramachandran, Honorary Secretary & Treasurer, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman & Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Dr. Ronnie George, President & Director – Research, Director – Glaucoma Services, Mr. Suresh Kumar P., and Ms. Kavitha B.
This state-of-the-art New Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer will enable us to provide quality eye care for our patients. Sankara Nethralaya sincerely thanks SBI for this support.
Ms. Lata Mangeshkar’s support for Sankara Nethralaya’s mission to save vision
It’s a well-known fact that Srimathi M. S. Subbulakshmi, the late great Carnatic singer had strong ties to Sankara Nethralaya. It is also a well-known fact is that she was a soft-spoken ambassador for the good cause that Sankara Nethralaya stood for. In 1994, Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi was presented the Dinanth Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan award for her meritorious service in the Carnatic music field by Kumari Lata Mangeshkar at a function organized by Medical Research Foundation, Vision Research Foundation, and the Dinanth Smruti Pratishtan.
The Dinanth Smruti Pratishtan award was instituted by the Mumbai-based Dinanth Smruti Pratishtan to honour the memory of Marathi singer and actor, Deenanath Mangeshkar. It is awarded annually for excellence in literature, music, and theatre. Ms. Lata Mangeshkar, founder of the Dinanth Smruti Pratishtan and daughter of Late Deenanth Mangeshkar, presented Srimathi MS Amma, as she’s fondly called by her admirers, with a cheque and a memento, for her unforgettable contributions to Carnatic music genre.
Smt MS Amma, a humanitarian at heart, presented the cheque of the Dinanth Smruti Pratishtan Awardto Dr. S. S. Badrinath, Sankara Nethralaya’s founder. This selfless gesture inspired the nightingale of India, Ms Lata Mangehskar to personally donate Rs. 25000 in a generous spirit to save the vision of deserving patients.
Sankara Nethralaya Celebrates Republic Day 2022
Sankara Nethralaya family once again celebrated India’s Republic Day 2022 with all the standard operating protocols in place. With only essential staff and the Chief Guest, physically present, many more viewed the ceremony online from the safety of their homes. The Flag hoisting ceremony started at 8:00 a.m. and Dr. G. Suganeswari offered a warm welcome to the chief guest, Dr. Prof. R. Surendran, Director of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Centre for Surgery and Transplantation at MIOT International Hospitals, Chennai.
Joining our esteemed Chief Guest on the dais were Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, and Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya. Mr Chellasamy I K, Chief Security Officer escorted Dr. R. Surendran to unfurl the flag, while Mr. Ravi, DPS, led everyone in singing the national anthem. While Mr. I. K. Chellasamy introduced our chief guest to the assembled security guards, Mr. Ravi sang a moving patriotic song especially themed for Indian Republic day.
Mr. Mani Baskaran, Deputy Director of Glaucoma Services, gave a brief introduction of the history of the Constitution of India, and the significance of India’s Republic day and invited Dr. T. S. Surendran to introduce the chief guest, Dr. R, Surendran. Dr. T. S. Surendran reminisced that about meeting Dr. R. Surendran in 1964 in school and maintaining a close friendship since. Dr. T. S. Surendran showered his appreciation and praise on Dr. R. Surendran. Our chief guest completed his MBBS, MS, and MCH in Stanley Hospital, and specialises in liver diseases. He established successful liver transplants, the only of its kind in the government sector throughout India
He performed many Whipple procedures (pancreaticoduodenectomy — major operation to remove the head of the pancreas.) His most famous achievement was to start a gastroenterology block in a government hospital overcoming the bureaucracy and offering low cost treat for liver diseases in the government hospital. Dr. R. Surendran is an admirer of Dr. S. S. Badrinath and emulates Dr. SSB in his philanthropic deeds.
Many employees from our institution were treated by him. He successfully initiated multi-tasking among his subordinates while working at Stanley Medical College, making his innovations unique in the government sector. Many IAS officers are his patients, such as Sri V. Irai Anbu, Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu Government, who dedicated one of his books to Dr. R. Surendran. Dr. T. S. Surendran concluded saying that Dr. R. Surendran was a great man and time wasn’t enough to list his outstanding qualities.
Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, honoured the Chief Guest with a ‘ponnadai’ (silk shawl). Dr. R. Surendran took the stage and acknowledged Dr. S. S. Badrinath as his ‘Asaan’ or teacher. He told the enthralled audience a little known factoid about the constitution – the Indian Constitution consists of 328 pages and the largest constitution in the world. He spoke of the inequalities existing in our country – the rich get better medical treatment than the have-nots in spite of our Constitution speaking of the right to equality and freedom.
He recounted a small incident demonstrating Dr. S. S. Badrinath’s humanitarianism – a patient from the North East region of India who came to Sankara Nethralaya for treatment suffered a stroke on the day of his discharge, and became semi-comatose. Dr. T. S. Surendran coordinated with Dr. R. Surendran who was in Stanley Hospital for the patient’s admission to the Neuro- ICU. But Dr. Badrinath took a personal interest and sent the patient to Apollo Hospital, spending a princely sum on the patient’s recovery, stating that it was Sankara Nethralaya’s responsibility to send the patient back in good health. Dr. R. Surendran said Sankara Nethralaya staff is very fortunate to work in a humanitarian atmosphere led by Dr. Badrinath’s spirit of selflessness. He called for young doctors and other youngsters to make the world a better place, and reminded the younger generation to remember their early enthusiasm to help the poor and not change to materialism when they got older.
Dr. R. Surendran advised the young doctors that success is not important but significance is important. He elaborated that while skill and knowledge made good doctors, empathy was important to become a great doctor. He urged the young doctors to choose a significant life of character. He ended his speech by blessing Sankara Nethralaya to grow in the same spirit of missionary vision.
Dr. G. Suganeswari thanked Dr. R. Surendran for his inspirational speech and announced the presentation of service awards. She called on Mrs. Sudha Mohan to announce the Dhingra Trust Awards for the children of employees who had excelled in their studies. On the occasion of India’s 50th Independence day, the institution had taken a vow to grant merit awards to employees’ children who scored 80% and above in their academics. The Dhingra Family Trust was established in 2004 by Sri Ram Dhingra who belongs to California, USA, for the children of employees who scored above 70%, and going on for college education. A total of 21 children – 18 from Chennai and 3 from Kolkota were the joyful recipients of the Dhingra Trust awards.
After the awards were distributed, one of the awardees, Ms. Janani, daughter of Ms. Revathy, Department of Patient Services, shared her thoughts and thanked the institution on behalf of all the awardees.
Mrs. Shalini Srikumar, who started her career at Sankara Nethralaya as a consultant secretary in 1997, was encouraged to become a clinical research coordinator. Her daughter too was the recipient of the Dhingra Trust Awards. She thanked the institution for encouraging the students in their future careers and enabling the employees to have good careers.
Dr. Suganeswari concluded the Republic Day celebrations by thanking the Chief Guest, Dr. R. Surendran, Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, and Dr. T. S. Surendran for attending the event. She also thanked the security guards, housekeeping, and all the other staff who attended the event. She ended by quoting Dr. Abdul Kalam, “A dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.”
Sankara Nethralaya’s Virtual Concert: Raised $101,010
Greetings from Sankara Nethralaya USA. Sankara Nethralaya’s patriotic songs concert raised $101,010 to restore vision to 1,554 indigent blind patients.
Inspired by a speech by Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham he attended in 1974, Dr. S S Badrinath founded Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai in 1978 with the sole objective of providing world class eye care, free to the poor and affordable price to others. Sankara Nethralaya (SN) is a not-for-profit charity organization providing ophthalmic (eye) care throughout India.
For the last four decades, SN has treated millions of patients. Nethralaya also holds eye camps, school screenings and eye bank. One of the unique services is Mobile Eye Surgical Unit (MESU), only one of its kind approved by Government of India. These are operation theatres on wheels. MESU consists of two buses serving as operation theatre, go out remote villages, perform cataract surgeries on 150 to 200 patients over a two-week period and return to main campus after post-operative care.
Sankara Nethralaya USA (SN USA), our fund-raising arm in US was established in 1988 with the sole objective of raising funds for Nethralaya to provide free services to indigent patients. SN USA is managed by thirty-five honorary trustees spread across fourteen chapters in US and has been raising over a million dollars during the past several years.
Every year, Sankara Nethralaya USA organizes Indian classical dance and music programs in various cities to raise awareness and funds. Because of the pandemic, this year all programs were conducted through online virtual streaming.
Indian patriotic songs concert was organized on January 30th, 2022, and it was telecasted by the following major channels:
ManaTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhamllfcCiM
TVAsia Telugu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEpXgUkZqy8
SakshiTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftFQw6dbrr0
TV5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJOs0jedy5M
99TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTDSogOble0
GNN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah0-HpMLYtE
Great response was received for the program and through this, Sankara Nethralaya USA raised $101,010 to restore vision to 1,554 indigent blind patients in India. Kudos to the patrons, Philanthropists, and community across the USA for unconditional support.
President Bala Reddy Indurti, President Emeritus S V Acharya, Vice President Moorthy Rekapalli planned, coordinated, and executed the Sankara Nethralaya USA Republic day campaign with grand success.
Shailesh Lakthakia, IFS, Consul (Retd), Indian Consulate, Atlanta GA gave passionate appeal about Republic Day virtual concert to encourage the donors. Dr. Girish Rao, President of Sankara Nethralaya made appeal to the community for the campaign and explained Sankara Nethralaya service activities.
Sankara Nethralaya USA’s Past President Leela Krishnamurthy and Board Of Trustee Upendra Rachupally also gave video appeal during the program.
During the program the MESU (Mobile Eye Surgical Unit) operations and the following brand ambassadors’ messages were shown: Former President and Bharat Ratna awardee Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Bharat Ratna Smt M.S. Subbalakshmi, Padma Vibhushan Nani Phalkiwala, Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata, Padma Vibhushan Amitabh Bachchan, Padma Vibhushan Rajnikanth, Padma Shri Sourav Ganguly, DRDO Chairman Dr. Satheesh Reddy, Tollywood actor Madhavan. Sankara Nethralaya Team is very thankful to these ambassadors.
President Bala Indurti coordinated with Joint Secretary, Prasad Rani & Board of Trustee, Shyam Appali to present this virtual concert on January 30th through various TV channels and social media.
President Emeritus SV Acharya announced new Board of Trustees Rao Kalvala (Dallas TX) and Dr. Madhuri Namuduri for the year 2022.
Thanks to Board of Trustee Sowmia Narayan for coordinating and presenting daily classical singing virtual concert “Do you have 11 minutes?”. We have participants from US, India, UAE, Canada, and Australia.
Thanks are due to Neelima Gaddamanugu and Narayan Indurthi for promoting Republic Day concert in social media.
Singers Names, Song, and their Geographical Locations:
Srivalli Sridhar – Vinara Vinara Desam Manadera – Atlanta GA USA
Usha Mocherla – Jaya Jaya Priya Bharatha – Atlanta GA USA
Ram Durvasula – Punya Bhumi naa desam – Atlanta GA USA
Srinivas Durgam – Janani Janma Bhoomi – Atlanta GA USA
Radhika Nori – Padavoyi Bharateeyuda- Talahasse FL USA
Shivnath Paranandi – Jis desh mein ganga behti hai – Los Angeles CA USA
Sabari Girish & Keerthana Girish – Mile Sur Mera Tumhara – Los Angeles CA USA
Sai Kasibhatla – Bharata Mataku Jejelu – Los Angeles CA USA
Bhaskar Ganti – Naa Janma Bhoomi Yenthaandhamaina – Rockville MD USA
Nagarjuna Reddy – Gandhi puttina desama idi – Ashburn VA USA
Harini Sugantharaman – Ninnai Charanadainthen – Ashburn VA USA
Sandhya Eswara – Aye Mere Wattan Ke Logo – Melbourne Australia
Thanks are due to all Board of Trustees, Volunteers, Philanthropists, and supporters who are working selflessly to restore vision for indigent patients.
Thanks are due to media partners manaTV, manaTV International, TV5 (Sridhar Chillara, Raagini, Harish Bennuri, and Sharat Pasumathy), TVAsia Telugu (Srinivas Ganagoni), Sakshi TV (Simha Hanumanth), 99TV (Harikrishna Inturu) , and GNN (Rama Mohan Reddy Yellampally & Ravi Reddy Maraka) for promoting Sankara Nethralaya patriotic songs’s virtual concert on January 30th at different timings to give the flexibility to all viewers in different time zones.
Sankara Nethralaya professionals were awarded with numerous awards for their outstanding accomplishments. Our founder Dr. S S Badrinath was given the prestigious awards of Living Legend and Padma Bhushan for his outstanding public service. Newsweek named Sankara Nethralaya as one of the four Best Ophthalmic institutions and one of the Best one hundred hospitals in the World. SN USA, our fund-raising arm in US was given the given the highest rating of four stars by prestigious rating organization Charity Navigator.
Please extend your support for this noble cause of restoring the vision of indigent patients by generously contributing at https://www.sankaranethralayausa.org/
To read the article on Great Andhra.com, please click here:-
https://www.greatandhra.com/articles/special-articles/sankara-nethralayas-virtual-concert-raised-101010-118942
To read the article on NRI Pulse.com, please click here:-
https://nripulse.com/sankara-nethralayas-virtual-concert-raises-101010
Sankara Nethralaya observes 28th Aradhana of Sri Maha Periyava
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, the 68th Peethadhipati of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti peetham, whose grace is felt even now by innumerable devotees across the world, has been Sanakra Nethralaya’s guiding light and the inspiration for our dear founder, Dr. S. S. Badrinath to establish India’s first eye hospital focusing on vitreoretinal subspecialty. In remembrance of Sri Maha Periyava, the 28th Aradhana of Sri Maha Periyava was held on 04th January 2022, at 5:00 pm in Sri V. D. Swami Auditorium. Dr. N. Angayarkanni compered the evening’s events, which was a blessed and refreshing beginning to the New Year.
The event opened with the auspicious Veda Gosham, followed by a prayer song sung by Mr. Durai Raj D. Junior Research Fellow, Projects – CSIR – Histopathology Lab. Dr. Anuradha, Principal, Elite School of Optometry, gave the welcome address and introduced Sri Ganesh Sharmaji. Dr. Girish Shiva Rao presented the honoured chief guest with a silk shawl.
Sri Ganesh Sharma shared anecdotes from Sri Mahaperiyava’s life that illuminated the holy saint’s selfless, sage insights into human nature and inspired everyone who listened. Dr. Sripriya Krishnamurthy, Director, General Ophthalmology, gave the closing speech thanking Sri Ganesha Sharmaji for his moving and insightful discourse on Sri Maha Perivaya’s life and his philosophies. Sri Mahaperiyava’s wisdom was such that he was able to offer advice to individuals from all walks of life.
After the moving discourse ended, Dr. Angayarkanni gave the closing speech and everyone offered flowers to Sri Maha Periyava and paid their respects at the end of the ceremony.
Sankara Nethralaya USA virtual concert raised $520,000 to restore vision to 8,000 patients
Inspired by a speech by Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt he attended in 1974, Dr. S S Badrinath founded Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai in 1978 with the sole objective of providing world class eye care, free to the poor and affordable price to others. Sankara Nethralaya (SN) is a not-for-profit charity organization providing ophthalmic (eye) care throughout India. For the last four decades, SN has treated millions of patients. SN also holds eye camps, school screenings and eye bank. One of the unique services is Mobile Eye Surgical Unit (MESU), only one of its kind approved by Government of India. These are operation theatres on wheels. MESU consists of two buses serving as operation theatre, go out remote villages, perform cataract surgeries on 150 to 200 patients over a two-week period and return to main campus after post-operative care.
Sankara Nethralaya USA (SN USA), our fund-raising arm in US was established in 1988 with the sole objective of raising funds for Nethralaya to provide free services to indigent patients. SN USA is managed by thirty-five honorary trustees spread across fourteen chapters in US and has been raising over a million dollars during the past several years.
Every year, Sankara Nethralaya USA organizes Indian classical dance and music programs in various cities to raise awareness and funds. Because of the pandemic, this year all programs were conducted through online virtual streaming.
Renowned playback singer and music director, Parthu Nemani along with his music team presented virtual semi classical devotional music program on December 19th, 2021, and it was telecast by the following major channels:
Mana TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUitJfqJTBs
TVAsia Telugu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_2RD-lakO4
Sakshi TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWWlw_FSQS4
TV5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Yv2I5PXXU
GNN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwQBDuJH58E
Great response to the program towards the Sankara Nethralaya USA year-end campaign raised USD $520,000 to restore vision to 8,000 indigent blind patients in India. Kudos to the fundraising team, Philanthropists, and community across the USA for unconditional support.
President Bala Reddy Indurti, President Emeritus S V Acharya, Vice President Moorthy Rekapalli planned, coordinated, and executed the Sankara Nethralaya USA year end campaign with grand success.
Dr. Girish Rao, President of Sankara Nethralaya made passionate appeal to the community for the campaign and explained Sankara Nethralaya service activities. During the program the MESU (Mobile Eye Surgical Unit) operations and the following brand ambassadors’ messages were shown: Former President and Bharat Ratna awardee Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Bharat Ranta Smt M.S. Subbalakshmi, Padma Vihushan Nani Phalkiwala, Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata, Padma Vibhushan Amitabh Bachchan, Padma Vibhushan Rajnikanth, Padma Shri Sourav Ganguly, DRDO Chairman Dr. Satheesh Reddy, Tollywood actor Madhavan. Sankara Nethralaya Team is very thankful to these ambassadors.
Special thanks to Tollywood writer, actor, and director Tanikella Bharani for his passionate appeal to the campaign.
Thanks to Singer/Music Director Parthu Nemani and his team of Musicians: Prakash (Keyboards), Srinivas (Flute), Suresh Prasad (Tabala), and Srinivasa Reddy (Rhythms). Harmony: Students of Keerrhana Academy (Bhuvana Swaraja Challa, Vaishnavi Kovvuri, Akhil Chandra, Saketh Kommajosyula). Sai Deekshit Vangara (Camera & Lights), Sai Manohar Dubbaka (Recorded & mixed), Srikanth Pudari (Editing), Nagesh (Assistant), Krishna Priya Pothukuchi (Project Supervision), Keerthana Recording Studios (Sound), String Wings (Video Floor)
Thanks are due to Dr. Reddy Urimindi for promoting ‘nayanam pradhaanam’ program through Tori for 100 successful weekends. Thanks are due to Shyam Appali and Prameela Gopu for video editing and MESU video for TV channels. Thanks are due to all Board of Trustees, Volunteers, Philanthropists, and supporters who are working selflessly to restore vision for indigent patients.
Thanks are due to Dr. Raj Modi and Dr. Bellamkonda Kishore for spreading the news in AAPI event and publishing the news in JAAPI magazine.
Thanks are due to Moorthy Rekapalli for MESU (Mobile Eye Surgical Unit) project and the following ADOPT-A-Village donors Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy (New Orleans LA), Leela Krishnamoorthy (Houston TX), Anand Dasari (Dallas TX), Srini Vangimalla (Atlanta GA), Rajasekhar Aila (Detroit MI), Srinivas Ganagoni (New Jersey NJ), Suresh Vemulamada (Atlanta GA).
Thanks are due to Jagannath Vedula, and Chennai staff Theagarajan, Suresh Kumar, Sunitha Doss, Kavitha, and Dheenadayalan.
Fundraising team members: Bala Reddy Indurti, SV Acharya, Moorthy Rekapalli, Leela Krishnamoorthy, Dr. Raj Modi, Srini Vangimalla, Upendra Rachupally, Shankar Setty, Shyam Appali, Prasad Rani, Meher Lanka, Narayan Indurthi, Ramesh Chaparala, Sowmi Narayan, Neelima Gaddamanugu, and Banu Ramkrishnan.
As you already know during our mid-year campaign, we conducted Flute Nagaraju Talluri program and received $150,000 donation from Dr. Govinda Visvesvara to name a floor in Chennai Hospital. This is not included in year-end campaign
Thanks are due to media partners TVAsia (Srinivas Ganagoni) manaTV, TV5 (Sridhar Chillara, Ragini, and Harishi), Sakshi TV (Simhabaludu), GNN (Rammohan Reddy and Ravi Reddy Maraka) for promoting Sankara Nethralaya virtual streaming concert on Dec 19th at different timings to give the flexibility to all viewers in different time zones.
Sankara Nethralaya professionals were awarded with numerous awards for their outstanding accomplishments. Our founder Dr. S S Badrinath was given the prestigious awards of Living Legend and Padma Bhushan for his outstanding public service. Newsweek named Sankara Nethralaya as one of the four Best Ophthalmic institutions and one of the Best one hundred hospitals in the World. SN USA, our fund-raising arm in US was given the given the highest rating of four stars by prestigious rating organization Charity Navigator.
Please extend your support for this noble cause of restoring the vision of indigent patients by generously contributing at https://www.sankaranethralayausa.org/
To read the article on Great Andhra.com, please click here:- https://www.greatandhra.com/articles/special-articles/sankara-nethralaya-usa-virtual-concert-raised-520000-118013
Sankara Nethralaya Congratulates Dr. Sheila John on her Doctoral Degree
Sankara Nethralaya family congratulates Dr. Sheila John on receiving her doctoral degree from the Faculty of Surgery and Surgical Specialties, The Tamilnadu Dr. M. G. R. Medical University on 20th December 2021. She successfully defended her doctoral thesis titled “To Compare the Accuracy of Computer-aided Grading for Presence or Absence of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Telescreening Program.” Her aim was designed to provide inputs on the suitability of a computer-assisted DR screening solution on Type 2 diabetes patients, for use in a larger prospective study.
Dr. Sheila John was awarded her Ph.D during the convocation attended by Thiru M. K. Stalin, honourable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu and Shri R. N. Ravi, honourable 15th Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Mobile teleophthalmology camps were conducted in Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts, Tamil Nadu, India, from January 2015 to May 2017 and around 472 diabetic patients underwent teleconsultations at Sankara Nethralaya, Nungambakkam (main campus). Around 1200 retinal photographs from Type 2 diabetes patients at diabetic clinics in Chennai were also imaged through tele-screening for the data analysis.
SN congratulates Dr. Deepmala Mazumdar for successful completion of her doctoral degree
The entire family of SN congratulates Dr. Deepmala Mazumdar for successfully completing her doctoral degree by carrying out scientific research with Medical Research Foundation, Chennai, India in collaboration with Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Her Ph.D. research is titled the ‘Visual Field responsiveness in glaucoma: An eye-tracking approach’ and was carried out under the guidance of Dr. Ronnie George (Director, Glaucoma Services), Prof Hans van der Steen, and Dr. Johan Pel (Dept. of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC). Her thesis proposed Eye Movement Perimetry as a potential tool for identifying visual field defects based on reflexive eye movement responses and recommended this technique as an additional/alternative technique of perimetry especially in those patients who face difficulties in reliably performing the conventional method.
The doctoral ceremony was a hybrid one (a combination of real and virtual events) due to COVID-related regulations and restrictions. The ceremony included a rector (moderator), three of her Ph.D. promoters, six honorable opponents from various subspecialties under the wing of vision science, and one paranymph (ceremonial assistant).
The public audience had a full video of the event series via youtube streaming. After the defense presentation and viva, the candidate was officially declared as a ‘Doctor’ and was awarded a university certificate and the prestigious Erasmus MC badge. The ceremony came to a conclusion with the commendation speech by Dr. Johan Pel.
Sankara Nethralaya serves the unorganized sector through Occupational Optometry
Sankara Nethralaya’s Department of Occupational Optometry Services conducted a focused continuous comprehensive services for the laborers in the unorganized sector. Sunday camps also were held monthly once between July to November 2021 at the main hospital, with the invaluable support of Computer Ages Management Services (CAMS) as a part of their CSR activity.
This camp included a Visual Task Analysis Based eye examination for sculptors, hair dressers, fishermen, agricultural workers, and toy-making artisans crossing the borders of Tamil Nadu. Around 896 workers benefited by these camps and around 686 individuals were dispensed with new glasses including safety eye wear & about 162 were referred for further specialty cross consultations. Cataract surgery for about 28 patients were funded by CAMS and followed-up by OOS.
We thank all our supporters such as CAMS for collaborating in the fight against preventable blindness and bringing quality eye care to the deserving patients of our nation.