omlog: a blog by Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India!

In Siddhartha's Words

Ayyappa

In a well attended gathering on October 24, 2004 the legendary music director Mr. M. S. Viswanathan released an audio cassette called "Svamiye Saranam Ayyappa" to Mr. Murali, the co-owner of Sri Krishna Sweets.

The ten devotional songs on the album were composed by Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and rendered by Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, the famous violinist and Mr. Shanker A. Iyer, a Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust Board Member.

Ayudha Pooja

As is customary, the SN family celebrated Ayudha Pooja, on the eve of October 22, 2004 marking the end of Navarathri, the colorful doll festival.

United India Insurance Donates

United India Insurance gave Rs.3,00,000 to Sankara Nethralaya and sponsored a room in the main building. Mr. V. Jagannathan, Chairman UII and his team came to our facility and handed a check to our Vice Chairman Dr. T. S. Surendran on October 18, 2004. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their generosity.

Art For Vision, Contd.

First of its kind art show, Art for Vision, was inaugurated by India's Honorable Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram in Delhi.

Acclaimed artists contributed their artwork to the exhibition which is being held at Lalit Kala Academy, Delhi. The online catalog displays artwork and artist biographies, so that the public at large and private companies interested in the artwork can view them from the privacy of their own homes.

Please visit the picturesque site for more information on this philanthropic event. Consider buying the artwork displayed as it directly assists us in reaching our goals in helping Indians like yourself back in India.

World Sight Day Celebrations

The Elite School of Optometry and the C U Shah Rural Eye Hospital facility of Sankara Nethralaya celebrated the World Sight Day on October 14, 2004.

Doctors at Sankara Nethralaya counseled and screened patients all day at the C.U. Shah Rural Eye Hospital. There were eight kiosks where information on the eye care and common vision related diseases were discussed. The public got to know more about Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Refractive error and LASIK, Pediatric eye care, and Computer Vision Care. There were several posters, exhibits and CD presentations at these kiosks as well.

A vision screening for over 503 students at the Shriram Primary School, Thiruneermalai was completed. A family eye card was given away to the students, to improve their awareness of vision care. At the Rural Eye Hospital, vision screening for 133 was also done.

About 70 children in two age categories under 12 years and above 12 years category participated in a painting competition at the Elite School of Optometry. The themes presented to them were "Eye and Vision." The paintings depicted Eye donation, proper eye care, vision as god’s gift to the mankind and showed the reach these messages themselves had with the next generation. All the children received participation certificates, and the Comprehensive Eye Checkup brochure.

An awareness program on vision care and direct contact with about thirteen schools and other companies in the vicinity of the Elite School of Optometry is also on.

As an extension to the event, beginning on October 14 through November 13, 2004, Sankara Nethralaya will conduct free cataract screenings, refractive error screenings and Glaucoma screenings for the public. The visit timings are 2 PM to 4 PM on all week days, from 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM on Sundays at the St.Thomas Mount – C.U. Shah Rural Eye Hospital premises.

The Lions Club Central partnered with Sankara Nethralaya to conduct the World Sight Day event.