Sankara Nethralaya Commemorates 75th Republic Day with Grand Celebration
Sankara Nethralaya celebrated the 75th Republic Day with pride at the quadrangle of the Mahyco Block, situated at the main campus in Chennai. The ceremony, which commenced at 7:45 am, was graced by R.W. Bro T. N. Manoharan, The Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India, who served as the Chief Guest.
The highlight of the event was the flag hoisting ceremony at 8 am, which was conducted by R.W. Bro T. N. Manoharan, accompanied by Mr. I.K. Chellasamy, Chief Security Officer, escorting the Chief Guest to the flag pole. Following the flag hoisting, Dr. Janani Srinivasan extended a warm welcome and introduced the Chief Guest, who was later honoured by President of Medical Research Foundation Dr. Girish S Rao.
The Chief Guest, R.W. Bro T. N. Manoharan, delivered an inspiring address, reflecting on the significance of the Republic Day and its values. A significant part of the celebration included the distribution of service awards to employees who inspired the whole Sankara Nethralaya family with their dedication. The Chief Guest distributed awards to employees who completed 35, 30, 25, and 20 years of service. Dr. Girish S Rao honored those who completed 15 years, while employees with 10 years of service were recognized by Dr. Ronnie George, and Dr. Girish S Rao.
The event also witnessed the distribution of Dhingra Trust awards by R.W. Bro T. N. Manoharan. Smt. Sita Mittal presented the Circle of Excellence Awards in Patient Care, recognizing outstanding contributions. Merit Scholar Ship Awards to the children of employees, acknowledging academic excellence were also presented during the ceremony. The dedication of SNDEED employees was recognized with awards presented by Lion S N Harinarayanan from the Lions Club of Central Madras.
Further, employees who rendered commendable service during the Michaung Cyclone and Flood were honored by Dr. Pramod Bhende, Director of Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services. The ceremony concluded with a gracious Vote of Thanks by Ms. Sudha Mohan, Deputy General Manager of the HR Department.
Dr. Nagamani Dharmapuri Endowment Lecture Sheds Light on Advances in Pediatric Ophthalmology
In a distinguished event at the Sri VD Swami Auditorium, Sankara Nethralaya, on January 20, hosted the 17th Dr. Nagamani Dharmapuri Endowment Lecture, featuring Professor Graham Edwin Holder from the Department of Ophthalmology at the National University of Singapore. The lecture, titled “Role of Electrophysiology in Pediatric Retinal Disorders,” delved into the latest advancements in the field.
Dr. Akshay Badakere led the ceremony as the master of ceremonies, commencing with an invocation by Ms. Akshaya C Balakrishnan. Dr. Kavitha Kalaivani Natarajan delivered the welcome address, setting the stage for an enlightening evening focused on pediatric ophthalmology. Dr. Sumita Agarkar provided insights into the pediatric ophthalmology department, and Dr. Hennav Kaur Dhilon shed light on the significance of the Dr. Nagamani Dharmapuri Endowment.
The introduction of the chief guest, Professor Graham Edwin Holder, was presented by our distinguished senior consultant Dr. Lingam Gopal. This paved the way for the much-anticipated Nagamani Dharmapuri Endowment Lecture, where Professor Holder shared his expertise on the role of electrophysiology in addressing pediatric retinal disorders.
The event witnessed the presence of Sankara Nethralaya’s President, Dr. Girish Shiva Rao and Chairman, Dr. TS Surendran, who honored Professor Holder for his valuable contributions to the field. The evening concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Dr. Akila Ramkumar, expressing gratitude to all participants and emphasizing the ongoing commitment to advancing pediatric ophthalmology research and education.
Madhumathi Subramanian’s Award-Winning Image of Limbal Stem Cell Management Takes the Spotlight
Ms Madhumathi Subramanian, Deputy Manager, Contact Lens Clinic has clinched the “Image of the Year Award – 2023” from the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE). The winning image captured the impact of scleral lens intervention in managing limbal stem cell deficiency. The image also earned her a spotlight in the November edition of IACLE’s Global Member Newsletter as the ‘Image of the Month.’
Sankara Nethralaya Marks 30th Sri Maha Periyava Aaradhana on January 9, 2024
Sankara Nethralaya recently celebrated the 30th Sri Maha Periyava Aaradhana on January 9, 2024. The event, held at the Shri VD Swami Auditorium on Sankara Nethralaya’s main campus, was graced by Dr. Sudha Seshayyan as the chief guest. Dr. Seshayyan, Director of Sastra University, Chennai, and former Vice Chancellor of The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, delivered a religious speech, motivating attendees.
The occasion held special significance as it marked Sankara Nethralaya’s first event for Maha Periyava following the demise of our Chief, Dr. SS Badrinath, renowned for his religious reverence towards His Holiness Maha Periyava. His devotion, values, and principles continue to shape the ethos of Sankara Nethralaya.
Sankara Nethralaya USA’s “Music for Charity – Margazhi Concert”
In a blend of music and philanthropy, Mr. Sowmiya Narayanan, representing Sankara Nethralaya USA, orchestrated the “Music for Charity – Margazhi Concert” at Sankara Nethralaya’s Shri VD Swami Auditorium on December 24. The day-long concert saw the performances of emerging musicians, showcasing their talents in support of a noble cause.
The event was also graced by the presence of the legendary violinist Sangita Kalanidhi Padma Shri A Kanyakumari and Mridangam Vidhwan Dr. Patri Satish Kumar whose performances left an indelible impression on the audience.
34th Institutional Award Ceremony at Sankara Nethralaya
The 34th institutional award ceremony took place on November 18 at Shri VD Swami Auditorium, Sankara Nethralaya. The ceremony acknowledged the academic accomplishments of individuals from Elite School of Optometry and Vidyasagar Institute of Biomedical Technology and Science, conferring Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Optometry, and Bachelor of Optometry degrees. Furthermore, Excellence Awards in Ophthalmology were presented at CU Shah Postgraduate Training Center.
Distinguished diabetologist Padma Shri Dr. V Mohan graced the ceremony as the chief guest. Dr. Mohan is the Chairman and Chief of Diabetology at Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, and President and Director at Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai.
Tribute to Dr. SS Badrinath: Honouring the Legacy of Sankara Nethralaya’s Founder
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our chief, Padma Bhushan Dr. SS Badrinath, the visionary founder of Sankara Nethralaya, who left for his heavenly abode in Chennai early morning on November 21, 2023.
Dr. SS Badrinath ‘s legacy symbolises commitment to revolutionizing ophthalmic care. His pioneering efforts in the field of eye care have touched the lives of innumerable individuals, restoring vision to those in need.
His journey began with a vision to establish a centre of excellence dedicated to eradicating preventable blindness, a vision that materialized into the renowned institution, Sankara Nethralaya. Under his guidance, the institution flourished, becoming a pioneer of exceptional eye care services, research, and education in India. A visionary leader, a compassionate healer, and a revered mentor, our chief’s impact extended far beyond the walls of the hospital.
In this time of mourning, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and the extended Sankara Nethralaya community. His legacy of compassion, dedication, and service will forever remain in our hearts and in the noble work that continues at Sankara Nethralaya.
As we bid farewell to a luminary whose brilliance illuminated countless lives, we find solace in knowing that his legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations to come. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Dr Jaichandran V V received his 2nd Patent Certificate from The Patent Office, Govt of India.
Sankara Nethralaya congratulates Dr. Jaichandran VV, Deputy Director, Department of Anaesthesiology for being honored with a Patent Certificate for his pioneering work. Collaborating with the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT-Madras, he developed a ground-breaking “Real-Time View Simulator for Practicing Peribulbar Blocks.”
This innovative simulator promises to offer real-time visualization capabilities. This achievement signifies a leap forward in improving precision and safety in medical procedures. Dr. Jaichandran’s patent award reflects his exceptional contributions and marks a significant milestone in ophthalmic anaesthesia.
Dr. Sheila John Bags Award at Telemedicon 2023
In a remarkable feat, Dr. Sheila John, Head Of The Department, Tele Ophthalmology, played a pivotal role at the Telemedicon 2023 conference held in Goa from November 3rd to 5th. Dr. Sheila presented ground-breaking insights with her paper and won the second prize. She also garnered acclaim by receiving two prestigious awards for her contribution to the field of telemedicine.
Adding another feather to her cap, Dr. Sheila John has also been appointed as an executive member to the national body of the Telemedicine Society of India. This esteemed position, bestowed upon her for a duration of two years from 2023 to 2025, recognizes her expertise and leadership in the realm of telemedicine.
The Telemedicon 2023 conference served as a platform for experts, professionals, and organizations to converge, discuss, and showcase the latest advancements in telemedicine. Dr. Sheila John’s active participation, coupled with her accolades and new appointment, exemplifies Sankara Nethralaya’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of healthcare.
Inauguration of Sankara Nethralaya’s Refractive Surgery Suite in JKCN Complex
In a momentous event, Sankara Nethralaya proudly inaugurated a cutting-edge refractive surgery suite in the AS block of JKCN Complex on October 25, 2023. The ceremony brought together a distinguished assembly of key figures, led by the institution’s top leadership and prominent members of the medical community.
Key Attendees
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Lasik staff along with some of the top associates of Sankara Nethralaya, including:
Dr. TS Surendran – Chairman & Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology
Dr. Girish Shiva Rao – President and Executive Medical Director
Dr. Nirmala Subramaniam – Emeritus Professor, Ophthalmology – Oculoplasty
Dr. Prema Padmanabhan – Distinguished Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Cornea
Dr. L Vijaya – Distinguished Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Glaucoma
Dr. Rama Rajagopal – Director, Ophthalmology – Cornea
Dr. Chetan Rao – Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Vitreo Retinal
Dr. Iyer Geetha Krishnan – Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Cornea
Dr. Sudhir RR – Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Cornea
Dr. Pramod S Bhende – Director, Ophthalmology – Vitreo Retinal
Mr. Kannan Narayanan – Hon. Treasurer
Ms. Banumati Ramkrishnan – Treasurer, SN USA
Inauguration Ceremony
The event kicked off with a solemn and traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Following the lamp-lighting, a sacred pooja ceremony was performed, invoking divine blessings to ensure the success and prosperity of the newly inaugurated refractive surgery suite. Outfitted with the latest technological advancements, the new surgical suite solidifies Sankara Nethralaya’s position as a leader in the field of eye care.