Sankara Nethralaya USA Activities - 2021

Salangai School of Performing Arts presents Virtual Dance Recital to raise funds for poor patients.


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

To read the article on NRI Pulse.com, please click here:- https://www.nripulse.com/sankara-nethralaya-usa-virtual-concert-raises-520000-to-restore-vision-to-8000/


Customers of Shashta Foods can choose "Sankara Nethralaya USA"
as one of the Charitable Organizations when buying "On Line"

Dear longtime supporters and well-wishers of Sankara Nethralaya,

We are happy to inform you that Shasta Foods, San Jose, CA, manufacturers of Fresh Batters and suppliers of Authentic Indian Groceries and Food Products all over continental USA, has included “Sankara Nethralaya USA” as one of the Charitable Organizations which Customers/Buyers of Shasta Foods’ Batters and Products and Groceries can choose when buying “ On Line”. Shasta Foods will donate 3% of the total Purchase Price to SN USA (taxes and Service charges excluded). Please share this information with your friends and relatives.

Thank you for your continued support.
Sankara Nethralaya USA

Note: Please choose Sankara Nethralaya as your preferred charitable organizations at the time of payment to donate 3% of your purchase price to SN USA.

Website: https://www.shasthaonline.com


Kumari Uthara Unnikrishnan performs virtual charity fundraising concert

Sankara Nethralaya USA hosted a concert by National Award Winner Kumari Uthara Unnikrishnan in the fight against preventable blindness. Each year, Sankara Nethralaya USA hosts numerous fundraising concerts to raise awareness and funds for the deserving patients.

Kumari Uthara Unnikrishnan (born 2004) is an Indian playback singer. In 2015, she won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer at the 62nd National Film Awards at the age of 10, becoming its youngest recipient. She received the award for her soulful interpretation of the song "Azhage" (Beautiful) from the 2014 Tamil film Saivam, directed by A. L. Vijay.

Kumari Uthara Unnikrishnan started her virtual performance by offering an invocation to Lord Ganapathi composed by Lord Agathiyar in Tamil sung in Thilang ragam and Adi talam. Shri P. Unnikrishnan introduced the virtual event and invited all the viewers to enjoy the virtual performance organized by SN USA.

Then Kumari Uthara sang the Telugu song, “Pibare Rama Rasam” composed by Sadasiva Brahmendra rendered beautifully in raga Ahir Bhairav in Adi talam. She then rendered the Sanskrit song, Maadhava Maam Deva, a Krishna Kirthi in Sanksrit composed by Narayana Theerthar in Neelabari ragam and Adi talam. Her second song was the popular film song Maadu Meikkum Kanne in Tamil composed by Oothukkadu Venkat Subbaiyar.

The young prodigy sang a total of 7 Telugu and 2 Kannada devotional classical songs by various composers proving her versatility.

The closing speech was given by Shri Moorthy Rekapalli, Vice President, Sankara Nethralaya USA. He thanked everyone for watching and supporting the cause. He thanked the vocalist, Sri Uthara Unnikrishnan and the accompanying musicians for their flawless performances. He also thanked Sri Shyam Appali, Board of Trustees, for taking care of all the technical aspects.

The virtual event raised a significant amount. Thanks are due to media partners SakshiTV, manaTV, TVAsia, TV5, GNN, and US1 for promoting Sankara Nethralaya activities.


Sankara Nethralaya’s Newark Delaware Chapter is a grand success.

For 2 weekends in September, the Sankara Nethralaya name resonated across the Delaware Indian population. Sankara Nethralaya Trustees Piram Manickavasagam and Ravi Maraka worked hand in hand with Smt. Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan, artistic director of Salangai School of Performing arts and hosted this grand kickoff event for Sankara Nethralaya Delaware Chapter.

It was a unique and bold move by Salangai School of Performing arts to have their annual event as a virtual event. 75 performers participated in this event which had a reach of more than 3000 people on Facebook and helped to raise significant donations.

Sankara Nethralaya President Emeritus S.V Acharya addressed the audience before the Bharathanatyam program and noted about Sankara Nethralaya fundraiser events, how they leveraged mobile eye surgical units and thanked Salangai School of Performing arts students and Guru. He thanked Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan for hosting the event for a noble cause.

Right after the address magic behind the classical art form began to unfold one after the other. It was a treat to watch the kids in traditional Indian classical dance costumes perform for vibrant and beautiful choreography. It is also noteworthy to mention some of the performers were first timers and they have been learning the dance only through virtual sessions and with just a couple of in person practice sessions the kids were able to perform in this grand event.

Senior students Adithi Jonnagadla, Praharshitha Nagraj, Pooja Guduguntala and Sreenidhi Das gave a solo performance. Priya Jeyakumar, past student of Salangai School who completed her arrangetram in 2019 also gave a solo performance in this event. Their passion, hard work and discipline in learning the classical dance for several years showed up in their performances.

Final day of performance included a dance presentation on Lord Krishna by Guru Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan and her son and disciple Akshath Piram and Yashwath Piram. This section had 4 songs in three different languages - Telugu, Tamil and Kannada.

First performance of this section stole most people’s hearts in which a 3 year old boy (little Krishna) entered the scene dancing along with his mom with cute moves and mischievous smile. Next performance was for a song Aadithano Ranga which aptly captured the episode of clash between Serpent King Kalinga and Lord Krishna followed by a Varnam depicting Krishna and Sudama friendship and Gajendra Moksham tales. ‘Varnam’ is considered a difficult piece in Bharathanatyam and Akshath Piram performing a Varnam at 10 year old with at most perfection received raving reviews.

Final performance of the event was a riveting dance performance by mother son duo – Guru Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan and her son Akshath Piram for a Mahabaratha Sabdam. Mahabaratha Sabdam portrayed one of the most iconic scenes, in which Yudhishthira rolls away his possessions, his kingdom, his brothers, and even his own freedom, though Krishna’s protection saves his wife from total humiliation. This is the most intense scene in Mahabaratham and to do justice to this scene is a challenging task. But the duo completely transformed themselves into their characters and gave a powerful performance that sure did touch viewer’s emotions and won their hearts.

The event concluded with a Thank you note in which Salangai School director thanked all participants and their parents, Guru's Legend Mudurai R Muralidharan, Guru Dr. Ratheesh Babu and Guru Smt. Supriya Ravikumar and all friends and families who supported the event.

President Bala Reddy Indurti, Vice President Moorthy Rekapalli, Secretary Srinivas Ganagoni thanked all the Trustees and Volunteers who are working selflessly to restore vision for indigent patients.

Bala Indurti worked with local trustees Piram Manickavasagam and Ravi Maraka to launch the Newark Delaware Chapter. Thanks are due to Board of Trustees Shankar Setty and Dr. Raj Modi from nearby states for their unconditional support. Thanks are due to Board of Trustee Shyam Appali, Theagarajan for making video and flyers to the event.

Thanks are due to media partners SakshiTV, manaTV, TVAsia, TV5, GNN, US1, and Tori for promoting Sankara Nethralaya activities.

During the pandemic we have conducted the following virtual events to bring the awareness and help the indigent blind patients.

  • Nataraja Natyanjali's 100 days of kuchipudi dance programs
  • A Jagannathan Memorial Series of concerts for one year
  • Satadina Swararchana semi classical music programs
  • Jay Kannan concert
  • Natyothsava

Sankara Nethralaya is one of the 4 best ophthalmic institutions and one of the 100 best hospitals in the World per Newsweek. Sankara Nethralaya OM (Ophthalmic Mission) Trust is based in USA and has received the highest rating of four stars by charity navigator for maintaining the transparency for funds donated by donors and how they are utilized towards a noble cause.

To read the article on Great Andhra.com, please click here:- https://www.greatandhra.com/articles/special-articles/sankara-nethralayas-delaware-chapter-is-a-grand-success-116697


Dr. Govinda Visvesvara’s $150,000 generous donation to Sankara Nethralaya

Sankara Nethralaya (SN) is a non-profit charity organization providing ophthalmic(eye) care to millions of patients throughout India for the last four decades. To support the Indian Mission of Sankara Nethralaya, Sankara Nethralaya USA was established back in 1988. The main goal of the Trust creation is to have the NRIs supporting and contributing to this Nobel cause. Sankara Nethralaya USA is one of the trusted and well-respected charity organizations in USA. The Trust also received Charity Navigator's highest rating of "Four Stars" for maintaining financial accountability and fiscal transparency for funds donated by donors and how they are utilized towards the stated cause.

Sankara Nethralaya has recently received a whopping Rs. 1.11 crores ($150,000) donation from Dr. Govinda Visvesvara in memory of his parents. His generous donation will help to care for 2300 deserving blind patients in India. Dr. Govinda Visvesvara, is a great scholar, philanthropist, and excellent human being.

Dr. Govinda Visvesvara was born in Bangalore to Shri Govinda Sharma and Smt. Rajamma. He hails from a very well-respected traditional south Indian family. His parents were blessed with 11 children (5boys, six girls), 18 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 8 great, great-grandchildren.

His mother, Smt. Rajamma was the youngest child in the family born in 1909 in Bangalore city, erstwhile Mysore state. Smt. Rajamma was a kind-hearted, friendly, a devoted wife to Shri Govind Sharma, and the family was the center of her world.  She was highly pious and always reciting slokas in Sanskrit, Kannada, and Telugu. Smt. Rajamma was kind, giving, and appreciated all people. She passed away peacefully at the age of 91.

His father, Sri Govinda Sharma, was born in 1900 in Akkihebbal, erstwhile Mysore state. He graduated with a Bachelor of Law from Maharaja's College, University of Mysore. Subsequently, joined the Judiciary system of the then Mysore State and served in various capacities. He retired as District and Sessions Judge of Bangalore District. He was a student of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (Former President of India) at Maharaja's college. He was a great philosopher and studied in depth both Indian and Western Philosophies.  Often, he participated in discussions with noted scholars on questions of comparative philosophy. He was known for high standards and quick wit. He had an exceptional ability to engage effectively with children and others from all walks of life. He was a devoted husband and father. He passed away peacefully in 1985.

Dr. Govinda Visvesvara (Vish) earned a Master's Degree in Science from the University of Nagpur and started his career as a Zoology lecturer in Dibrugarh City in Assam. He later joined as Research Assistant at Central Public Health Engineering Research Institute in Nagpur, India.  In 1963 he joined the Defense Research Laboratories in Gwalior, India, as a Junior Scientific Officer. In 1967, he competed nationally and received a Fulbright award and a U.S Government Scholarship. He chose to work on his Ph.D. with William Balamuth at the University of California, Berkeley. While a graduate student at Berkeley, he also served as a teaching assistant and teaching associate. There he also met and married Marika, she passed away in 2001.

After obtaining a Ph.D. degree from the University of California, Vish Joined the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA as a Postdoctoral fellow 1972. His laboratory participated in the investigation of outbreaks of several different "unknown" diseases. He discovered a new amoeba that causes meningoencephalitis in humans and other animals and paid tribute to his former mentor by designating the name of a new genus and species of amoeba, Balamuthia mandrill Aris.  His work has provided novel insights into the medical relevance of protists in human disease and had a big impact on public health. At CDC he mentored doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and guests who came from all corners of the globe. He has published over 350 articles, book chapters. He has won several awards.

Some of the significant awards are:

  • Awarded Joseph E. McDade Citation for Lifetime Scientific Achievement: July 2012
  • Awarded William C.  Watson, Jr. Medal of Excellence for outstanding public health service and leadership in understanding the biology, diagnostics, and public health impact of free-living amebae and other protozoan pathogens 2011
  • Golden Pen Award" for the PAM article Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in Florida: A case report and epidemiological review of Florida cases Fl J Environ Hlth 2011; 207:15-21. from the Florida Environmental Health Associations -2011
  • Awarded CDC's Excellence for research on Acanthamoeba keratitis outbreak, 2008
  • Cited as "a leader in free-living amoeba biology" and a new species of ameba, Monomyelocytes Visvesvara was created - 2008

Both Sankara Nethralaya USA and the Sankara Nethralaya India teams, thanked Dr. Govinda Visvesvara for his generous donation and share the following appreciations.

Dr. Girish Rao, President of Sankara Nethralaya: "Dear Mr. Visvesvara ji, Greetings from Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai. On behalf of the staff of Sankara Nethralaya and Board of Management of Medical Research Foundation I wish to convey our sincere gratitude for your benevolence in loving memory of your parents. Your donation will help us provide free treatment for countless indigent patients."

Dr. T S Surendran, Vice Chairman & Director, Sankara Nethralaya: Sankara Nethralaya family and on behalf of patients, thank Dr Govinda Visvesvara from the bottom of our hearts  a BIG THANK YOU for the munificent  contribution coming forward to sponsor one of the floors of  the temple for the eyes Sankara Nethralaya

Sankara Nethralaya USA Executive Committee & Board of Trustees appreciation:

S.V. Acharya, President Emeritus, Sankara Nethralaya USA: Expressed gratitude to Dr. Govinda Visvesvara on behalf of our Trust in US for the generous donation of $150,000 towards naming one floor at Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai, India. He also indicated that while smaller donations help us in providing free ophthalmic services to indigent patients, major donations like the one from Dr. Visvesvara help us in enhancing the infra structure and in the long-term growth of the institution.

Bala Reddy Indurti, President, Sankara Nethralaya USA:  "Dear Sri Govinda Visvesvara garu, I am truly honored to be the receiver of your generosity $150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand US dollars) on behalf of Sankara Nethralaya to support 2300 indigent blind patients in India. "The highest of distinction is service to others" – your magnanimity & selflessness is unparalleled, and it would bring hope and ray of light into many unfortunate lives. Thank you heart fully, and I am sure your parents would be delighted watching from above. Glad to know you during my tenure as Sankara Nethralaya USA president."

Moorthy Rekapalli, Vice President: “Dr. Visvesvara, Namaste . What a great way to pay tribute to your parents!! Your generous contribution to Sankara Nethralaya is so much appreciated by all of us and it can't be expressed in words. Also, these types of generous acts boost the morale of all the volunteers, who are working for this noble cause of restoring vision to indigent patients. May God bless you and your family for your selfless and generous acts."

Srinivas Ganagoni, Secretary: I'd like to thank Visvesvara ji for your generosity to support Sankara Nethralaya to provide eye care services to the people who are in need. Appreciate it very much.

Banu Ramakrishnan, Treasurer: Banu: Kindly Thank Dr. Govindarajan Visvesvara Garu for his kindness and his generosity. This will be inspiring for others to do the same. There is saying in Tamil - 'the more water you draw from the well, the more water will secrete'- the more you give, the more you will get. May Lord will bless him with wealth to do more great things!

Sowmi Narayan, Joint Secretary: Our humble pranams and namaskarams to Dr. Govinda Visvesvara and his family for supporting 2307 cataract surgeries. Thank you for your generosity, kind and timely help. God bless.

Raja Krishnamurthy, Joint Treasurer: God works in so many ways to serve the needy. Thanks to Bala Garu, Dr. Govindarajan Visvesvara Garu and Sankara Nethralaya on this Aadi Vellikizhamai, Aadi Month Friday very auspicious for Lalitha, embodiment of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi.

Leela Krishnamurthy, Past President: Dear Dr Govinda Visvesvara Words cannot express our  sincere gratitude to you for your very generous donation  of $150,000 to Sankara Nethralaya as a tribute to your parents , a truly magnanimous decision Your contribution will give so many the ultimate gift the  Gift of sight. Gods’ blessings to you and family

Srini Vangimalla: Dear Visvesvara garu, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your generous contribution to Sankara Nethralaya. Great way to pay tributes to your parents by creating a means for serving the under-privileged patients in India. I am sure your donations will be best utilized in restoring the vision for many.

Krishnaraj Bhat: Namaste Shri Govinda Visverara Ji, my heartfelt pranams for your generous donation towards Sankara Nethralaya in order to eradicate blindness from India and all over the world. Your incredible contribution has the power to fund over 2,300 cataract surgeries and inspire countless others to give back to the community. Once again, thank you so much for your generosity!

Partha Chakravarthy: It was very nice of Sri Visvesvara to have donated generously to Sankara Nethralaya. May he and his family be blessed.

Dr. Reddy Urimindi: There is no greater gift to mankind than the gift of sight, and what a delight it is to learn about your kindness to Sankara Nethralaya. We are thankful for your generosity which will bring the lost light and smile back on the face of countless indigent individuals with visual impairments

Shankar Shetty: Sri. Govinda Visvesvara garu’s big heart to help needy ones!!  God bless him and our Sankara Nethralaya!!

Prasad Rani: I am pleased to learn about the grand donation made by Dr Govinda Visvesvara to Sankara Nethralaya USA. These funds will definitely cause life changing effects on thousands of people in India who will now be gifted with a better vision.

Shyam Appali: We are truly blessed to have selfless-minded individuals like Dr. Govinda Visvesvara, who believe in the services offered by Sankara Nethralaya. We appreciate his generosity in donating to this great cause and thank him from the bottom of our hearts. His generosity and story are very inspiring to everyone at Sankara Nethralaya. May God bless him and his family with health, happiness, and wealth.

Upendra Rachupally: Sri Visvesvara Garu - Thank you for your generous donation to SNUSA. We are very grateful for your contribution.  Your care and commitment for SNUSA are above and beyond. Your giving spirit makes a difference as we help hundreds of patients. Take a bow..........

Ramesh Chaparala: Dear Dr. Visvesvara garu, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your generous contribution to Sankara Nethralaya. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and commitment for Sankara Nethralaya! Thank you!

Neelima Gaddamanugu: Thank you for your generous donation to SNUSA. We are very grateful for your contribution and support. Your commitment for SNUSA is greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

Dr. Bellamkonda Kishore: Love and Compassion are the Divine attributes that have real power to solve the problems of the world. It is really gratifying to see those in Dr. Govinda Visvesvara garu, who made a very generous gift to SN OM Trust. May God bless him and his family

Jagannath Vedula: Thank you Bala ji for sharing the inspiring news about Sri Govinda Visvesvra garu. It is great to see his faith in Sankara Nethralaya. This will be an inspiration for all others. Please thank him on behalf of the board. May Lord bless him with abundance and a big heart.

Meher Lanka: Dear Visvesvara garu, Namaskarams to your benevolent contribution to Sankara Nethralaya. I'd like to thank you very much for your care by proving a means to serve the needy and visually challenged patients in India. We are very honored to serve with you.

Rajasekahr Aila: Dear Govinda Visvevsvara garu, we needed you and you were there.  We are so grateful for your donation towards SNOM charitable trust. Thank you for your generosity and your confidence in our work. Sincerely

Ravi Maraka: Sri Govinda Visvesvara garu, Thank you very much for your extremely generous donation to Sankara Nethralaya. It is greatly appreciated, and I can't thank you enough. Your $150k donation would help so many underprivileged people in India, it also inspires many people to come forward and donate towards true causes.

Anand Dasari: Can't explain the greatness and kind heart of the donor Dr. Govinda Visvesvara garu, in words. It's a motivation to do bigger and better stuff. I will pray for him for his well-being and success. Thank you Bala Anna for your effort to make this happen.

To read the article on Great Andhra.com, please click here:- https://www.greatandhra.com/articles/special-articles/dr-govinda-visvesvaras-150000-donation-to-sankara-n-115334

Making a Difference:- Dr. Govinda Visvesvara’s donates $150,000 to Sankara Nethralaya - News published in Deccan Herald, October 14, 2021

Watch the tribute video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UXO5FTSbLU


Sri Flute Nagaraju Talluri's Concert Fundraiser a Grand Success

Sankara Nethralaya (SN) is a non-profit charity organization providing ophthalmic (eye) care throughout India. For the last four decades, SN has treated millions of patients.

Sankara Nethralaya USA (SN USA) was formed in the USA thirty years ago so NRIs could contribute to help the mission of SN. SN USA, based in the USA, has received the highest rating of four stars by Charity Navigator for maintaining financial accountability and fiscal transparency for funds donated by donors and how they are utilized towards the stated cause.

Every year, Sankara Nethralaya USA organizes Indian classical dance and music programs in various cities to raise awareness and raise funds. Because of the pandemic, all programs have been conducted virtually.

As part of our mid-year campaign, Kalaratna Vidwan Flute Nagaraju Talluri gave a devotional flute music concert on July 25th, 2021. He performed the following songs:

  • Maha Ganapateem - Lord Ganesh
  • Adivo Alladivo - Annamayya
  • Janani Janani - Tamil song by Ilayaraja
  • Shyam Teri Bansi- Hindi- Lata Mangeshkar
  • Bhagyada Laxmi Baaramma- Kannada
  • Tandanaanaa Hare - Annamayya
  • Payoji Maine Raam Ratan Dhan Payo - Hindi - Meera bhajan
  • Harivaraasanam - Malayalam
  • Shankara Nada Sharirapara - SPB - Sankarabharanam
  • Sathyam Shivam Sundaram - Hindi - Lata Mangeshkar

Sankara Nethralaya executive committee members - President Emeritus S V Acharya, President Bala Reddy Indurti, Vice President Moorthy Rekapalli, Secretary Srinivas Ganagoni, Treasurer Banumati Ramkrishnan, Joint Secretary Sowmiya Narayanan, Joint Treasurer Raja Krishnamurti, and Past President Leela Krishnamurthy appealed the audience through TV channels to support the cause and help indigent blind patients in India.

Virtual music concert was broadcasted in the following major channels:

ManaTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g52jaxiPe1I

TV Asia Telugu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVEzgUI8nmk

Saakshi TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWKhCEjTOV0

TV5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtHjP2nthGQ

GNN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxXoGUQzCVk

To read the article on Great Andhra.com, please click here:- https://www.greatandhra.com/articles/special-articles/sankara-nethralaya-fundraiser-a-grand-success-114863

Viewers thoroughly enjoyed the concert and Sankara Nethralaya midyear campaign raised significant amount to restore the vision to many indigent blind patients in India. Kudos to the fundraising team, philanthropists, and the community for their unconditional support.

President Bala Reddy Indurti and President Emeritus S V Acharya thanked all the Trustees and Volunteers who are working selflessly to restore vision for indigent patients. Vice President Moorthy Rekapalli thanked the efforts of Sankara Nethralaya USA and the service of NRIs. President of Sankara Nethralaya India, Dr. Girish Rao elaborated various services provided by Nethralaya to the needy people during pandemic.

Special thanks to Shyam Appali, Prameela Gopu, Suresh Kumar, Theagarajan, and Sunita Doss for their assistance in organizing this program and taking care of technical aspects to present the content in different channels.

Thanks are due to K.G. Venkatraman, Krishnaraj Bhat, Dr. Raj Modi, Dr. Reddy Urimindi, Srini Vangimalla, Shankar Setty, Jagannath Vedula, Narayan Indurthi, Upendra Rachupally, Rajasekhar Aila, Ravi Maraka, and Prasad Rani for promoting the event in social media, and TV channels.

Thanks, are also due to media partners ManaTV, TVAsia Telugu, SakshiTV, TV5, GNN, US1, and Tori for promoting Sankara Nethralaya activities.

We thank Leela Krishnamurthy and Narayan Reddy Indurthi for coordinating musical concerts and the walkathon event in Houston TX.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach our committee members at the following link: https://www.sankaranethralayausa.org/committee-members.html

If you like to donate using PayPal please click the following link:
https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1769240


Special Discussion with Sri S. V. Acharya, President Emeritus, SN USA on Mana TV International HD

The Founder of Sankara Nethralaya USA, Mr. S. V. Acharya and his wife Mrs. Nirmala Acharya were interviewed by Mana TV and the interview was broadcasted by ManaTV on July 23rd, 2021. Mr. & Mrs. Acharya spoke about their meeting with SN Founder Living Legend, Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath, their involvement with SN and the growth of Sankara Nethralaya USA during past 33 years.

If you like to donate using PayPal please click the following link:
https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1769240


Sri S. V. Acharya, President Emeritus and Smt. Nirmala Acharya speak about their 3 decade
long relationship with Dr. S. S. Badrinath and Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai


Sri A Jagannathan Memorial Concert Series Completes 300 concerts

The Sri A Jagannathan Memorial Concert series organized by Sankara Nethralaya USA’s Joint Secretary & Trustee Mr. Sowmiyanarayan in memory of his father, Sri A Jagannathan completes 300 concerts. Over the one-year period, Sri Sowmiyanarayan organized 300 concerts and gave opportunities for more than 450 artists from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

The fundraising concert series was created by Sri Sowmiyanarayan to honor his father’s memory. His son, Sanjith Narayanan, and his violin teacher, Sri Kamalkiran Vinjamuri helped arrange the concerts. Initially scheduled only for ten days, the virtual concert series proved to be so popular it was extended multiple times and became an ongoing music concert series.

The extremely talented great-granddaughters of the unforgettable Bharat Ratna Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi and Sangeetha Ratnakara Dr. Radha Vishwanathan:- S. Aishwarya and S. Saundarya, performed for our grand landmark of reaching 150 concerts. Young and talented artists from Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, UAE, UK, USA, Singapore, and Sweden have come forward to perform for this good cause and showcase their unique talents.

Your enthusiastic support and contributions have enabled Sankara Nethralaya to perform eye surgeries for over 2000 poor indigent patients over the past year. We thank you all for the tremendous support that you have given to Sankara Nethralaya and this festival.

Sri Sowmiyanarayan thanks Sri Vibhu Rao (Mani Krishnaswami Academy), Sri Ramesh Sooryanarayanan ( Sai Rocks Studio), Chi. Sai Bharath (Sai Rocks Studio) and respected gurus.


Sankara Nethralaya USA appointed new Secretary

Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust and Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai bids farewell to our long time trustee from Chicago - Mr. Sudhakar Mattu who resigned as Secretary, as well as member of Board of Trustees, SNOM Trust, USA (SN USA) due to personal reasons. The nominating committee has accepted his resignation.

Mr. Mattu founded and established the Chicago chapter of SN USA several years ago and has fostered the chapter to what it is today. He organized concerts, walkathon, and other fundraising events during his term as trustee and EC member with the support of eager and hardworking volunteers. He has graciously agreed to provide all his support in promoting and organizing our fundraising events for SN USA, even after stepping down.

The nominating committee has approved the appointment of our trustee, Mr. Srinivas Ganagoni, New Jersey, as Secretary in place of Mr. Mattu until completion of current secretary term at the end of December 2022.

Mr. Ganagoni’s list of achievements is stellar. As the CEO of TVAsia Telugu channel, he has helped spread the word of Sankara Nethralaya’s humanitarian activities around the world. He was responsible for launching Sankara Nethralaya USA in New Jersey and making it a household name. He raised over $ 55 k at an event he organized in New Jersey with the help of volunteers and NewYork trustee Dr. Raj Modi.

Other credentials of Mr. Ganagoni include:
-President of Lead India USA Foundation (Dr. APJ Kalam was the mentor of this organization),
-Joint Secretary & IVP of NATA (North American Telugu Association),
-Secretary of TTA (Telangana American Telugu Association), and
-On Board of Trustees, Sri Guruvaayoorappan Temple for 8 years.
-Coordinated health fairs in NewJersey to support uninsured and visiting parents.

We welcome Mr. Ganagoni as our new Secretary with immediate effect and hope his tenure as one our supporters and mentors is a long and fruitful one.


Satadina Svaraarchana – 100 days of Classical and semi-classical music concerts

Satadina Svaraarchana is a unique program of 100 days of Classical and semi-classical music concerts presented on social media through YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp, to raise awareness and funds for Sankara Nethralaya USA. This program was coordinated by Prasad Rani, Trustee of Sankara Nethralaya LA Chapter.

Commencing on Vijaya Dasami, one of the most auspicious festivals in India, Satadina Svaraarchana presented one concert each day and culminated in the 100th day on Friday, 16th April 2021. 108 artists from countries around the world including USA, India, UK, and Australia showcased their artistic talents to raise funds for indigent patients. The age of the performers ranged from 7 years to 70 years with 70% of the participants being women and girls. Around 50% were children and young adults – a great sign that the next generation is also equally engaged in learning classical art forms like music.

Over 20,000 viewers viewed, offered encouragement for the concerts on social media, and donated to bring light to a poor patient’s life. 100 percent of the comments on YouTube were positive in nature.

Last but not the least, two of the performers are worthy of special mention:

Ms. Pervela, born with a serious medical condition that confines her to bed, has not allowed her health to prevent her from following her passion for music. She performed her concert for this event, all the songs, from the confines of her bed.

Ms Yellapragada, with a rare skin condition that prevented her from stepping out of her home, and could not even attend the regular school, learned music at home through a teacher and was happy to perform the concert for Sankara Nethralaya

Since 2020, when the pandemic shook the world, Sankara Nethralaya USA team have taken up their fundraising activities on social media to increase awareness of the organization among kindhearted people around the world and to raise funds for supporting its cause.

Prasad Rani, coordinator of the event expressed sincere thanks to all the participants who made this program successful. He also thanked Sri Bala Reddy Indurti, President, Sankara Nethralaya USA, for the, the encouragement and support for the logistics and completion of the program.

Bala Indurti thanked the volunteers Prameela Gopu and Rama Shyam Appali for developing beautiful video to showcase all the singers, brand ambassadors and volunteers in Satadinaswararchana 100th day video for streaming to major TV channels TVAsia Telugu, manaTV, manaTV International, SakshiTV, TV5 and US1. Thanks are due to Prasad Rani for dedicating time for this mega project to raise funds to Indigent blind patients in India.

Bala Indurti congratulated and thanked Dr. Girish Rao, President Sankara Nethralaya and the following Sankara Nethralaya USA EC and Board of Trustees for giving video messages and encouraging Prasad Rani and Satadinaswararchana team. Sri S.V. Acharya, President Emeritus Sankara Nethralaya USA, Sri Moorthy Rekapalli, Vice Presdent; Sri Sudhakar Mattu, Secretary; Sri Sowmia Narayan, Joint Secretary; Sri Raja Krishnamurti, Joint Treasurer; Smt Leela Krishnamurthy, Past President; Sri KG Venkata Raman, Past President; Sri Krishnaraj Bhat, BOT; Dr. Raj Modi, BOT; Dr. Bellamkonda Kishore; Dr. Reddy Urimindi, BOT; Sri Srini Vangimalla, BOT; Sri Partha Chakravarthy, BOT; Sri Rajasekhar Aila, BOT; Sri Shankar Setty, BOT; Sri Varad Rajan, BOT; and Nataraja Natyanjali dance director Neelima Gaddamanugu.

Bala Indurti also thanked the following TV channels and the management for providing live streaming and unconditional support.

Srinivasa Ganagoni, CEO TV Asia Telugu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sqOhX9lM0E

Sridhar Chillara, CEO manaTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5GKAKBgVKQ

Sridhar Chillara, CEO manaTV International: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy9YMqmHFDk

Harish, TV5 North America correspondent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyZOELnXBWM

Simha, SakshiTV, North America correspondent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkle2d6S1IU

Thanks are due to the following Chennai team members Malathi Krishna, Sunita Doss, Theagarajan, Suresh Kumar for all the support to make this program successful.

Thanks are due to Srinivas Rani for sharing the daily updates in Facebook and Whatsapp.


100 Days of Kuchipudi Dance performance by Nataraja Natyanjali

Nataraja Naatyanjali dance academy guru Smt. Neelima Gaddamanugu celebrated the 100 days of Kuchipudi dance performance on February 10, 2021. Sankara Nethralaya Atlanta team requested Neelima garu to present 100 days online streaming program to promote the cause during the pandemic. 90 students performed from academy performed for 100 days marathon event. We are deeply grateful to Neelima for dedicating herself to the noble cause.

How this event started? Bala Reddy Indurti asked Neelima Gaddamanugu, is it possible to perform 100 days online video performance with her Nataraja Natyanjali Atlanta students during the pandemic to promote the Sankara Nethralaya cause. Neelima accepted the challenge and made this possible with her 90 students. Atlanta team led by Bala Indurti, Moorthy Rekapalli are in touch with academy to make sure daily streaming events are performed seamlessly.

The students of Nataraja Natyanjali Dance Academy have enthusiastically taken part in this record-breaking fundraising effort for needy patients. Smt. Neelima Gaddamanugu has been teaching Kuchipudi from 2003 and her academy has been officially registered since 2008 in Atlanta, GA, USA.

Smt. Neelima Gaddamangu teaches the Vempati School of Kuchipudi classical dance form. Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam was an exponent and guru of the Kuchipudi dance form. He systemized Kuchipudi, giving it a more classical basis, and popularising the Kuchipudi dance form all over the world. The encouragement of the parents, relatives, friends, volunteers of those who participated was invaluable in making this charitable fundraiser a great success. Neelima’s guru Narayana Murthy Dandibhotla is a student of Padma Bhushan late Vempati Chinna Satyam.

Sankara Nethralaya President Dr. Girish Rao, and Sankara Nethralaya USA EC members President Emeritus S. V. Acharya, President Bala Reddy Indurti, Vice President Moorthy Rekapalli, Treasurer Banumathi Ramakrishnan, Jt Secretary Sowmi Narayan, Past President Leela Krishnamurthy and trustees Dr. Reddy Urimindi, Srini Reddy Vangimalla, Prasad Rani, Meher Lanka, Upendra Rachupally, Ramesh Chaparala and others - Neelima’s Guru Smt Mythili Prabhakar, Telugu Film Director V.N. Aditya, Kalavani Dance Academy Guru Padmaja Kelam and Maitri Atlanta founder Viju Chiluveru extended their appreciations to Nataraja Natyanjali guru Smt Neelima Gaddamanugu for completing successful 100 days dance program.

Sankara Nethralaya volunteer from New Jersey Prameela Gopu worked to compile all the messages and videos to present to the TV channels. She has also worked closely with Padma Shri Dr. Shobha Raju classical music concert in the past on the technical side. The live telecast of the finale of the 100 Days of Naatyanjali included a special video on Mobile Eye Surgical Unit and video clippings of Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath, Nani Phalkiwala (Jurist), Sri Amitabh Bachchan (Actor), Sri Saurav Ganguly (Cricketer), and Sri Madhavan (Actor).

Sankara Nethralaya team extended special thanks to TVAsia Telugu channel CEO and member of our Board of Trustees Srinivas Ganagoni, TV5 USA and manaTV CEO Sridhar Chillara, and SakshiTV North America correspondent Simha Hanumantu. 100 days event youtube links from major TV channels are below:

TV Asia Telugu: https://youtu.be/Nsm9sB_gSbY

ManaTV: https://youtu.be/OGCpXPSlx9o

TV5: https://youtu.be/olbxj2G1oV8

Event is also live telecasted in social media Facebook, YouTube and www.sankaranethralayausa.org website.
Thanks to Chennai team Theagarajan, Suresh Kumar and Sunita Doss for their continued support.



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