A life time of tireless effort and missionary dedication to doing own God’s work found its crowning glory on Thursday, 2nd of February, 2012. The All India Ophthalmological Society, the world’s second largest and the country’s largest professional body dedicated to the cause of Ophthalmology with a membership of 14,000 eye care professionals, honoured Dr Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Sankara Nethralaya and a towering personality in the world of eye care with the ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ at its 70th Annual Conference (AIOC – All India Ophthalmological Conference – 2012) being held at Kochi. The award comes as a high recognition of Dr SS Badrinath’s colossal contribution to the field of ophthalmology in terms of pioneering research  through the establishment of State of the Art research Centers, spreading knowledge in optometry and ophthalmology through dedicated educational institutions accredited to prestigious Universities, providing world class eye care at affordable cost and most importantly his stupendous efforts in eradicating blindness, especially among the poor and the needy through high quality community ophthalmology initiatives at the various Sankara Nethralayas in Chennai, Kolkata, Rameswaram and Tirupathi and Mobile eye care units reaching out on the spot ophthalmological care to the remotest villages

The award was presented by acclaimed novelist and Member of Parliament  Shri Shashi Tharoor.The deafening, standing  ovation given by the attendees comprising Doctors, Researchers, Scientists , overseas delegates, eminent people from other fields and local invitees at the Convention Centre of the Le Meridian Hotel, Kochi, as Dr SS.Badrinath walked up to the dais to receive the coveted award, reiterated in no uncertain terms that this was not only an award from a renowned professional body but an award from the heart of the people.

Ophthalmology meet opens
The Hindu

“Bhoomi Puja” the traditional auspicious beginning and invoking the blessings of the Almighty for the successful completion of the proposed hospital project and excellent functioning of the new hospital was performed at the proposed site at Rajarhat on 28th of January, 2012. The proceedings began at 10:45 am and the main rituals were performed between 11:30 am – 1:00 pm the most auspicious part of the day. The function was graced by Shri Partho Chatterjee, Honourable Minister for Industries, West Bengal, Sankara Nethralaya Advisory Board Members at Kolkata Shri Bhagwati Prasad Jalan, Shri Hanuman Prasad Ji Todi and Shri S.Mahalingam.

Shri R.S Falor, Member of the Board, Vision Research Foundation, Dr S.Bhaskaran, Chairman, Shri PR.Ravindran, Chief General Manager and Shri S.P.Chandrasekhar, Project Consultant, from Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai and Dr.Sujatha Guha, Medical Director, Ms Rita Das, Administrator and a good number of employees of the Aditya Birla Sankara Nethralaya, Kolkata were present at the function. Shri Arindham Mukherjee represented the structural engineers and builder Ms Mukherjee &Alliances Engineering Pvt Ltd

Shri A. Mahalingam receiving the memento from the Chennai Mayor

The Sankara Nethralaya Academy made an impressive showcase of itself and its contribution to the world of education and academia in general at the ‘Chennai Science Festival 2012’ organized jointly by the Science City, Government of Tamil Nadu and Anna University at the Arignar Anna Gem Science Park School, Chennai, from  the 27th to 30th of January, 2012. The objective of the festival is to create awareness on the role of science in everyday life among the general public and the student community in particular and inculcate a scientific temper in them.

Sankara Nethralaya Academy faculty members and personnel stationed at its two stalls in the Science Festival explained the inception and achievements of the Academy, its expertise in the courses offered and their high scope to visiting students, parents and the teaching community. Shri A.Mahalingam, Academic Officer, SN Academy, welcomed and explained the objectives of the institution to distinguished visitors Shri Mayilvahanan Natarajan, Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University, Dr.Mannar Jawahar, Vice-Chancellor of the Anna University, Senior government officials and Scientists who visited the stall, he also received the participants memento from the Worshipful Mayor of Chennai Shri Saidai S. Duraiswamy on behalf of Sankara Nethralaya and the SN Academy. A proud highlight of the event was the winning of the Tamil essay contest in Science by S. Suganya, a student of the Sankara Nethralaya Academy.

Sankara Nethralaya and the Sankara Nethralaya Academy take this opportunity to express their wholehearted thanks Dr.  R.Srilakshmi, Registrar, The Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University who encouraged and facilitated participation by the Sankara Nethralaya Academy in this highly prestigious Science Festival and helped in getting rich exposure to the institution and the courses offered.

The bright Sunday morning at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium the venue of the Sankara Nethralaya sports meet was reminiscent of the ever so familiar words from the commentator’s box at the Lord’s stadium, ‘A glorious sunshine with a nip in the air’, although Margazhi had departed a week back, the morning was pleasantly cool and bright. Employees and their family members dressed in their best casuals had gathered well before the scheduled hour ready and rearing to go.  The day’s proceedings got started with the unfurling of the Sankara Nethralaya flag and declaring of the meet open by senior staff member Shri R.Sekhar, Supervisor at the House-keeping department. This was followed by a quick round of breakfast to all attendees.

The various sporting events and competitions conducted on the basis of age group witnessed enthusiastic participation by staff and their family members. Prizes for the winners of the day and for winners who had participated in the indoor events, sports quiz and events conducted earlier at the ESO and other venues on various dates were distributed by Dr S.Bhaskaran, Chairman, Shri PR.Ravindran, Chief General Manager, Ms Reena Eapen, DGM,HR and other Senior executives of Sankara Nethralaya. There were also gifts galore for participants and children present on the occasion. A lucky draw for employees was held and one first prize and two second and third prizes were given away to the lucky winners.

The function came to a close at 12:00 noon and the gathering dispersed after serving of lunch.

The Elite School of Optometry, a premier institution in its area of specialization has as part of its initiative to share and simplify its rich knowledge and expertise in a wide range of optometry related topics released an exhaustive question and answer book titled “ESO’s Optometry Question Bank with rational reasoning” for the benefit of both practicing optometrists and students of optometry at various levels. This book is the first volume of a series of books covering a broad spectrum of optometry related topics like Binocular vision, Pediatric Optometry, Contact lens, Optometric Optics, Dispensing Optics, Low Vision Clinic, Occupational Optometry, Geriatric Optometry and Ocular Diseases. Subsequent volumes covering other optometry related topics would be released in a phased manner. The book which took a year of hard work and preparation by faculty members of the Elite School of Optometry and Department of Optometry has 50 questions on the topics covered and expert answers to them in addition to detailed explanations on each subject made simple and easy to understand.

This highly useful referral on optometry can be bought online at www.jaypeebrothers.com or over the phone at +91-11-32558559

In keeping with the spirit of its founding principle and cherished objective of sharing  knowledge and in-depth learning for the betterment of humanity, Sankara Nethralaya has released its ‘Manual of Medical Laboratory Techniques’ a sheet anchor for proper and precise diagnosis. The book is co-authored by Dr S.Ramakrishnan, Professor Emeritus, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and Dr KN.Sulochana, Director, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Vision Research Foundation, with rich inputs from highly qualified and experienced researchers and technologists from the departments of Microbiology, Hematology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology.  This makes the book an authoritative treatise, referral, guide and source of knowledge for students and practitioners in these fields. The book will go a long way in improving the overall quality and efficacy of Medicare by enhancing the accuracy of diagnosis and interpretation of symptoms and ailments, the very basis for administering the right therapy. This exhaustive work on medical technology including instrumentation would enable laboratory scientists conduct tests without external guidance and is a must have for hospitals, clinical laboratories and teaching institutions.

Republic Day of the Union of India was celebrated with the customary fanfare and patriotic fervour the occasion deserves at the Main campus of Sankara Nethralaya. The proceedings started at 8:00am with the day’s key moment, the hoisting of the national tricolor by well known social activist, thinker and orator Shri Thamizh Aruvi Manian, the Honourable Chief Guest of the function. This was followed by rendering of the national anthem and a patriotic song by the employees of Sankara Nethralaya.

Dr Muna Bhende greeted and welcomed the gathering of staff members, Doctors, Volunteers and senior management members who had gathered in good numbers. Dr. Sudharshan and Dr.Kavitha Kalaivani the MC’s for the day kept the proceedings lively with their spontaneous comments and humour, the former introduced the Chief Guest of the day with an interesting piece of information that it was none other than the great leader Shri K.Kamaraj who had bestowed the title ‘Thamizh Aruvi’ on Shri Manian, this was followed by honouring of the Chief Guest by Dr TS.Surendran, Vice-Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya. The spell that the Chief Guest’s address cast over the audience and the cascade of thoughts and words simply reiterated his title Thamizh Aruvi. Shri Manian rued over the lack awareness even among the educated and elite classes by pointing out to their poor understanding of what the word ‘Republic’ signified. He drove home the concept of God, Man and Beast, how they co-exist in every one of us and the need to evolve to the next stage in the cycle of existence through interesting analogies. Shri Manian showered rich praise on Sankara Nethralaya as a place that not only provides cost free eye care but also food to the poor and needy patients knocking at its doors.

The Chief Guest’s address was followed by presentation of merit certificates to the employees in recognition of their long service and 100% attendance; children of staff members from the kindergarten to college level were also awarded with certificates for their good grades. The programme ended with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Pramod Bhende followed by serving of breakfast to all attendees.

Times of India

‘Bengal Leads’ an ambitious initiative by the government of West Bengal under the stewardship of Honourable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to put the State on the fast track to growth and development was organized on the 9th of January, 2012 at the Milan Mela, Trade Fair Complex, Kolkata. The high power function meant to draw fresh investment and enhance industrial and infrastructural growth of the State through participation from local and overseas industrialists was presided over by the Honourable Chief Minister in the presence of her Cabinet Colleagues and senior bureaucrats. The function was attended by local industrialists and representatives of trade and commerce from the USA, UK, Germany, Japan and China.

Sankara Nethralaya which enjoys immense goodwill among the local people for its significant eye care initiatives in the State through its premier ophthalmic institutions since 2002 launched its new project on this momentous occasion. The Silanyas of its 4th eye care center to come up at a sprawling area at Rajarhat which would include a hospital, learning center and research facilities was performed by Honourable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on this momentous occasion. Dr SS.Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus, Dr.S.Bhaskaran, Chairman, Dr Vasanthi Badrinath, Director, Laboratory Services, Sankara Nethralaya and Dr. Sujatha Guha, Medical Director, Dr Sagar Bhargava, Deputy Director, Ms. Rita Das, Administrator and members of the advisory committee from Aditya Birla Sankara Nethralaya were present at the function.

The Sunday Indian January 9, 2012

AITMC News January 9, 2012