eyelights NABL Accreditation NABH Accreditation for Sankara Nethralaya Main Number:81 February 2021 27th ARADHANA OF SRI MAHA PERIYAVA Blessed Visit of 46th Azhagiyasingar of Ahobila Mutt eyelights Feb 2021 27th Aradhana of Sri Maha Periyava and Awards Presentation The New Year got off to an auspicious start with the 27th Aradhana of Sri Maha Periyava, on 12th January 2021 at Sankara Nethralaya’s Sri. V. D. Swami Auditorium. It was refreshing to attend an event in person with the pre-requisite SOPs in place, as the pandemic restrictions had prevented social gatherings in 2020. 27th Aradhana of Sri Maha Periyava opened with the auspicious Veda Gosham, followed by the Welcome Address and a short introduction to Sankara Nethralaya and Sri Maha Periyava by Ms. Anuradha, Principal, Elite School of Optometry. Following this, Archanai and Aarti to Sri Maha Periyava were performed. Mr. Raghunathan, a retired government employee gifted an artistic rendering of Sri Maha Periyava to Sankara Nethralaya, which was received by Dr. T. S. Surendaran. The lifelike painting will be hung in Vision Enhancement Clinic, Shenoy Nagar. Dr. A. R. Anand, Vidyasagar Institute of Biomedical Technology and Science (VIBS) In- Charge presented the Ph. D awardees for the year 2020. VIBS was established in October 2006 with a generous donation by Late Padmashri Iravatham Mahadevan, in memory of his elder son, the late Vidyasagar. The degrees were presented by Mr. G. Ramachandran, Honorary Secretary, Medical Research Foundation. Mr. Ravikanth Danda received the “Doctor of Philosophy” for his Ph.D. thesis entitled “Identification of Novel therapeutic target molecules in Retinoblastoma.” He completed his Ph. D on 12th December 2019. His supervisor Dr. S. Krishnakumar, Professor and Head of L & T Ocular Pathology department, accompanied him to the stage. Mr. Anand Babu completed his Ph.D. thesis entitled “Role of paraoxonase in oxidized LDL – Mediated Pathogenesis of age related molecular degeneration (AMD): in vivo studies in AMD patients and in vitro studies in human retinal pigment epithelial cells” on 17th February 2020. His supervisor was Dr. N. Angayarkanni, Professor and Head of R. S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry & cell biology. Mr. Ravikanth Danda and Mr. Anand Babu were the valedictorian speakers. They thanked everyone who inspired them including Sankara Nethralaya and their Ph. D. supervisors. 2 Mr. Amit Chatterjee’s supervisor, Dr. J. Narayanan, Associate Professor of Nanobiotechnology department received Mr. Amit’s Ph. D on his behalf. Mr. Amit’s thesis “Understanding the mechanism of cell penetrating peptide using kerataconus epithelium as clinical model” was completed on 28th September 2020. Three awardees were awarded their Ph. Ds in absentia - Dr. S.Muthukumaran completed his Ph. D. on 20th July 2020 under SASTRA deemed-to-be University, Thanjavur. His supervisor is Dr. V. Umashankar, Faculty of Centre for Bioinformatics. Dr. Bhavna S. Rao completed her Ph. D on 3rd August 2020 Under SASTRA deemed-to-be University, Thanjavur. Her supervisor is Dr. N. Soumittra, Faculty of SN ONGC Department of Genetics & Molecular Biology. Dr. P. Karthikka completed her Ph. D on 5rd August 2020 under SASTRA deemed-to-be University, Thanjavur. Her supervisor is Dr. C. Subbulakshmi, Faculty of R.S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry & cell biology. Institutional Awards - 2020 Dr. Smita Praveen, Director – Academics, MRF gave a short introduction of the significance of the institutional awards and called on Mr. G. Ramachandran, Hon. Secy., and Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman, MRF to present the awards. Mr. G. Ramachandran presented Dr. Sudharshan S. with the Smt Sreerangamma N Narayana and Endowment Award for best scientist working on infectious diseases, along with a cash prize. The Smt. Radhamani N. Anantha Endowment Award for best scientist working on infectious diseases, accompanied by a cash prize went to Dr. Mamta Agarwal. 3 eyelights Feb 2021 Dr. T. S. Surendran presented the following awards: Swarnalata Punshi Award for Best Research Fellow went to Dr. Sneha Giridhar, along with a cash prize. The Swarnalata Punshi prize Award for Best Research Worker (medal, certificate, and cash prize) to Ms. Ramya. R. The Ruby Banik Memorial Award for Best Research in Clinical Sciences in Ophthalmology Award and cash prize was received by Ms. Najiya. S. K. The Prof. S. Krishnamoorthy Rao Memorial Award for Best Outgoing PhD went to Dr. Ravikanth Danda, along with a gold medal and certificate. Dr. Ramya G received the Dr. S. Ramakrishnan Endowment for Best Outgoing Post-Graduate of Diploma in Ophthalmology Dr. Merin Jacob received the Sri. K. Vasanth Madhavan Memorial Award instituted by Mrs K Saraswathi for Best Outgoing Post Graduate student of Diplomate of National board of Examinations. Dr. Mythri K Rao received the Dr. Kantimathynathan Endowment Medal instituted by Dr. Jagan Nathan for Best Post Graduate DNB candidate in Neuro Ophthalmology. Dr. Pallavi Goel and Dr. Mehta Parth Kirit received the Ms. Divya Chaturvedi Endowment Award for Best Outgoing Diploma in Ophthalmology student in Uvea. A Certificate of Merit – Chief Resident was presented to Dr. Mythri K Rao and Dr. Damisetti Anjali Gopalakrishna. Dr. Aanchal Agarwal received the Jayaben Chamanlal Shah Endowment award for Best Outgoing Sub Specialty Fellow. She thanked everyone saying the guidance of her instructors and teachers were vital to showing her and fellow students the way, helping them reach their goals. Dr. Smriti Jain received the Dr. V T Doshi Memorial award for Best outgoing Vitreo Retinal Fellow – Award and the Indian Society for Prevention of Blindness Endowment Award for Best Lady Fellow in Vitreo Retinal Sub-specialty. She thanked Dr. Sripriya Krishnamurthy and the teaching staff at Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Center and the sub-speciality teachers who guided her throughout her time at SN. At the end, everyone was invited to pay their respects and offer flowers to Sri Maha Periyava. 4 Sankara Nethralaya’s Republic Day Celebrations Sankara Nethralaya was honored to host Dr. J. S. N. Murthy, leading cardiologist and former Vice chancellor, Sri Ramachandra Medical University for our Republic Day celebrations. Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, and Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice- chairman and Director Pediatric Ophthalmology greeted our special guest and accompanied him to the dais. After the guests were seated, they were formally welcomed to the function. Dr. J. S. N. Murthy hoisted our national flag and inspected the parade, accompanied by Mr. I. K. Chellasamy, Chief Security Officer. Dr. Girish S. Rao and Dr. T. S. Surendran both gave very inspiring speeches and warmly welcomed the chief guest. Drs. T. S. Surendran and JSN Murthy were classmates and both are imbibed with the spirit of philanthropy. Dr. JSN Murthy has also many heart patients to receive a second chance of life with his philanthropy. In his speech, Dr. JSN Murthy said that Sankara Nethralay had become a beacon of hope for vision across the country and in the neighbouring countries. He appreciated that Dr. S. S. Badrinath had led Sankara Nethralaya to achieve success with deep professional and financial discipline. He also recalled that his father’s close friend Professor Appukutty, Prof. of Pediatric Anaesthesia donated a huge chunk of land in Guindy for Sankara Nethralaya, which is now the Dr. V. G. Appukutty campus in Guindy. He extolled the younger generations at SN to dedicate themselves to carry the torch forward. He remembered the words of Gurajada Apparao, freedom figher, “desamante matti kadoi desamante manushuloi,” which means the whole country is not made of mud and sand but the emotions of people that forms the nation. He applauded the fact that India distributed hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic to more than 80 countries including to the United States of America becoming the “Pharmacy for the Whole World.” Dr. JSN Murthy’s inspiring speech was a boost to our doctors and frontline workers and an encouragement to take the home-grown vaccine, which is being delivered to several of our neighbouring countries and even Brazil. To view the full speech, click here:- https://youtu.be/axwi3uJGS9U 5 eyelights Feb 2021 Blessed Visit of 46th Azhagiyasingar of Ahobila Mutt Sankara Nethralaya was blessed by His Holiness, Srimath Srivan Satakopa Sri Ranganatha Yateendra Mahadesikan, the 46th Azhagiyasingar of Ahobila Mutt who visited Sankara Nethralaya’s Dr. V.G. Appukutty campus on 3rd January 2021. Dr. Girish Rao, President, and Dr. Rajesh gave a tour of the premises comprising the C. U. Shah Sankara Nethralaya, The SN Academy, Elite School of Optometry, and Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Centre. Mrs. Vidya Thirumalai, one of Sankara Nethralaya’s well-wishers, commenced the ceremony with an invocation. Colonel Raghavan, Advisor – Projects, gave a warm welcome to His Holiness on behalf of Dr. S. S. Badrinath and Dr. (Mrs.) Vasanthi Badrinath, and Sankara Nethralaya family members. Col. Raghavan also wished everyone present a Happy New Year. Dr. T. S. Surendaran and Dr. Girish Rao, President, honoured His Holiness with ceremonial tributes. His Holiness blessed the gathering and spoke how Dr. S. S. Badrinath performed a cataract surgery on his spiritual guru Sri Maha Periyava Sri Chandrasekerendra Saraswathi Swamigal. His Holiness recalled Sri Maha Periyava’s blessing that as long as the sun and moon shone Sankara Nethralaya would bloom and serve humanity. His Holiness also recounted Jayendra Sarswathi Swamigal’s call to Dr. S. S. Badrinath to found an institution in the service of India’s poor. He extolled the efforts and sacrifices of those who served the cause of bringing vision to the poor and needy. Service is a boon to society and we should encourage the practice amongst ourselves. His Holiness appreciated and blessed Dr. Girish Rao in continuing our founder’s mission to serve society. His Holiness blessed the institution, employees, and the students to take the vision forward for many decades.