BY MEHER LANKA
Atlanta, GA, May 6, 2025: The Atlanta chapter of Sankara Nethralaya USA (SNUSA) organized a warm and vibrant Meet ‘n Greet event in honor of Sri Shankar Subramonian on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and a resident of Atlanta, Sri Shankar Subramonian is a passionate philanthropist who believes in giving back to the community. Over the years, he has actively participated in community upliftment programs, donated generously to various institutions, and helped establish research centers across the globe.
In 2022, he was inducted into the Engineering Wall of Fame at the University of New Brunswick, Canada. In September 2024, with the support of distinguished alumni, IIT Madras established the Sankar Center of Excellence for Diabetic Research, marking a major milestone in the global fight against diabetes. In collaboration with Emory University’s Global Diabetes Research Center (EGDRC), the Center aims to combine academic innovation with practical solutions to tackle one of the world’s most pressing health issues.
Sri Shankar Subramonian has also been instrumental in establishing a Mobile Eye Surgical Unit (MESU) in his hometown of Ettayapuram, Tamil Nadu, with a generous donation of $350,000. This unit, the fifth MESU of Sankara Nethralaya, is expected to be operational by August 2025, serving southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala. With its addition, Sankara Nethralaya will be able to conduct over 80 MESU eye camps annually. Subramonian was joined at the event by his wife Lakshmi Shankar, daughter Ambika Shankar, son Ashok Kumar, and grandson.
SNUSA President and Sankara Ratna awardee Sri Bala Indurti felicitated Sri Shankar Subramonian and announced his induction as a Brand Ambassador of SNUSA. “We thank him for his magnanimous contribution toward Sankara Nethralaya’s mission to eliminate preventable blindness in remote villages of India, where eye care and surgery facilities are often nonexistent,” Indurti said. Sankara Nethralaya remains the only institution authorized by the Indian government to perform cataract surgeries in rural areas using state-of-the-art Mobile Eye Surgical Units. More complex surgeries are referred to its base hospitals, all at no cost to patients. In contrast, other organizations perform preliminary screenings onsite but conduct surgeries at their hospitals.
Sri Shankar Subramonian presented a check for $350,000 to SNUSA Treasurer Sri Moorthy Rekapalli in the presence of SN team members and Hindu priests.
The event was meticulously organized by SNUSA President Bala Indurti, Treasurer 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, and 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 also played a key role.
The event was attended by SNUSA Board of Advisors, Trustees from metro Atlanta, volunteers, and patrons. Cultural performances included captivating Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dances by students of local dance academies led by Sashikala Penumarthi, Neelima Gaddamanugu, Revathi Komanduri, Sobiya Kishan, and Jassotha Balasubramaniam. The evening also featured devotional and film music performed live by singer and chapter leads Madhavi Uppuluri and Usha Mocherla, along with a violin performance by students of Jassotha Balasubramaniam. The spirit of community and giving was palpable throughout the evening.
Distinguished SNUSA members from across the U.S. also attended the event, including Dr. Kishore Chivukula (Board of Advisor, Auburn, AL), Executive Vice President Shyam Appali (Los Angeles, CA), Trustee Adi Morreddy and Women’s Committee Chair Rekha Reddy (Phoenix, AZ), Trustee Banu Ramkrishnan (Washington, D.C.), and Trustee Dr. Keshav Bhat (Raleigh, NC). Trustee Meher Lanka played a key role in securing the venue and arranging accommodations for visiting guests. Neelima Gaddamanugu coordinated efforts with priests, choreographers, singers, and the decorations team to ensure a successful event.
Prominent community leaders and MESU sponsors who shared their experiences with Sankara Nethralaya included Dr. B.K. 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, Raj Vuchatu, Raghava Tadavarthi, Kamal Satuluru, Sreeram Reddy Palla, and Dr. Pramod Reddy Kaila.
The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, accompanied by sacred chants from Hindu Temple of Atlanta’s chief priest, Sri Gopal Bhattar, and four other priests, who also offered blessings to Sri Shankar Subramonian and Sankara Nethralaya for their selfless service to the community.
Notably, under the leadership of Sri Bala Reddy Indurti, SNUSA has seen remarkable growth in awareness and fundraising over the past nine years, benefitting underprivileged patients across India.
Masters of Ceremonies Sri Shyam Appali and Sri Viju Chiluveru guided the evening’s proceedings. Photography and videography were managed by Sri Venkat Kuttua. The evening concluded with a hearty dinner provided by Achis Restaurant, and a vote of thanks delivered by Sri Shyam Appali.
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For more information, visit: www.SankaraNethralayaUSA.org
