SNUSA Atlanta Meet n Greet with Shankar Subramonian

The Sankara Nethralaya USA (SNUSA), Atlanta Team organized a Meet ‘n Greet event in honor of Sri Shankar Subramonian on Saturday 26 April ’25.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India, Sri Sankar Subromanian, resides in Atlanta. He has always believed in giving back to the community. He has actively participated in local Community uplifting programs and contributed generously to scores of institutions each year as well as established research centers globally.

He was inducted into the Engineering Wall of Fame at the University of New Brunswick, Canada in 2022. With the support of distinguished alumni, the IIT Madras, has setup the Sankar Center of Excellence for Diabetic Research in September 2024, marking a milestone in the fight against diabetes. In collaboration with Emory University’s Global Diabetes Research Center (EGDRC), this Centre aims to bring together academic innovation and practical solutions to address diabetes, one of the world’s most pressing health issues.

Sri Shankar Subramonian was instrumental in establishing a MESU (Mobile Eye Surgical Unit) in his hometown, Ettayapuram, Tamil Nadu with a generous contribution of $350,000. This fifth MESU unit of Sankara Nethralaya will be built and be ready for operational deployment, serving southern Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, by August 2025. With this addition, Sankara Nethralaya would be able to conduct over 80 MESU eye camps each year. Shankar Subramonian’s family members Wife Lakshmi Shankar, daughter Ambika Shankar, Son Ashok Kumar and grandson attended the event.

The SN USA President, and Sankara Ratna, Sri Bala Indurti, felicitated Sri. Shankar Subramonian and announced his induction as a Brand Ambassador of SNUSA. We thank him for his magnanimous contribution to support the Mission of Sankara Nethralaya to eliminate preventable blindness in remote villages in India, where eye care nor eye surgery facilities exist. Sankara Nethralaya is the only one institution that is authorized by the Indian Government to perform cataract eye surgeries in remote locations in their specially designed and well equipped Mobile Eye Surgical Units. All other complex eye surgeries are performed in their closest hospital operated by Sankara Nethralaya also at no cost to the patient. All other competing organizations perform eye tests and perform surgeries in their hospitals, and not onsite. Sri Shankar Subramonian handed over a cheque for $350,000 to Treasurer Moorthy Rekapalli in presence of SN Team and Priests.

The event was organized by the SNUSA President, Sri Bala Indurti, Treasurer Sri Moorthy Rekapalli, Trustees Srini Vangimalla, Meher Lanka, Dr. Madhuri Namuduri, Cultural Chair Neelima Gaddamanugu, Sports Chair Ramesh Chaparala, MESU Adopt-A-Village Chair Dr. Kishore Rasamallu, Chapter VP, Rajesh Tadikamalla, Media Chair Giri Kotagiri, Committee members Sridhar Julapally, Paddy Rao Atmuri, and the Atlanta Chapter leads including Srinivas Durgam, Ram Durvasula, Shilpa Uppuluri, Dr. Janardhan Pannela, Ramaraju Gadiraju, Venky Neelam, Sandeep Kowtha, Durga Gora, and Biju Das. Youth Coordinator Charithra Julapally.

The event was well attended by two of its Board of Advisors, Trustees from Metro Atlanta as well as its volunteers and patrons. Professional-grade dances in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi by local Dance Academies (led by Sashikala Penumarthi, Neelima Gaddamanugu, Revathi Komanduri, Sobiya Kishan, and Jassotha Balasubraminaym) were punctuated by pleasing music rendered live, by all Singer cum Chapter Leads, Madhavi Uppuluri and Usha Mocherla with devotional songs as well as catchy film tunes, as well as a Violin performance by Jassotha Balasubramanyam’s students. The evening was a celebration of not only art but also the spirit of community in Giving, with every singer and volunteer playing a vital role in raising funds for the noble cause.

The following Sankara Nethralaya members came from different cities: Dr. Kishore Chivukula, Board of Advisor from Auburn Alabama, Executive Vice President Shyam Appali from Los Angeles CA, Board of Trustee Adi Morreddy and Women Committee Chair Rekha Reddy from Phoenix AZ, Board of Trustee Banu Ramkrishnan from Washington DC, and Board of Trustee Dr. Keshav Bhat from Raleigh, North Carolina. Board of Trustees Meher Lanka was instrumental in identification of the venue and made arrangements for stay for the visiting guests & Neelima Gaddamanugu coordinated with Priests, Choreographers, Singers, and Decorations team to make this program successful.

Sri Madhav Durbha, Dr. Prasad Garimella and Sri K.M. Venkata Narayan, Executive Director, Emory Global Diabetes Research Center, elaborated various magnanimous activities and charitable causes supported by Sri Shankar Subramonian.

The following prominent community leaders and MESU Sponsors attended the event and shared their experiences with Sankara Nethralaya: Dr. BK Mohan, Dr. Sujatha Reddy, K. Mohan Reddy, Ravi Ponangi, Murli Reddy, Ravi Kandimalla, Amar Duggasani, Balarami Reddy, Srikanth Konda, Kiran Pasham, Prabhakar Reddy Eragam, Anil Jagarlamudi, Bharath Madadi, Vamshi Madadi, Tiru Chillapalli, Jagadeesh Cheemarla, Narayana Rekapalli, Sheela Lingam, Adi Chinnatimma, Gopal Nair, Indu Nair, Praveen Akula, Ravi Gella, Praveen Akula, Raj Vuchatu, Raghava Tadavarthi, Kamal Satuluru, Sreeram Reddy Palla, and Dr. Pramod Reddy Kaila.

The chief priest of the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Sri Gopal Bhattar, and Four other priests chanted sacred mantras as the lamp was lit at the start of the event, and later, blessing Sri Sankara Subramoniam and Sankara Nethralaya for their service to the community.

Under the leadership and tireless efforts of Sri Bala Reddy Indurti, over the last 9 years, SNUSA has seen a significant increase in awareness of its charitable activities in several States of the USA, and annual funds raised for the needy patients in India.

The Master of Ceremonies were Sri Shyam Appali and Sri Viju Chiluveru. The Photo/ Videography was covered by Sri Venkat Kuttua. Food was provided by Achis Restaurant. Sri Shyam Appali gave the Vote of Thanks.

Please visit website for any questions: www.SankaraNethralayaUSA.org

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