For Aravind, annual day celebrations and inauguration ceremonies have become recurring events, with their frequency increasing year after year. In this spirit, the recent annual day celebrations at Aravind-Tirunelveli, Aurolab, and Auroitech, along with the inauguration of the Regional Research Centre at Aravind-Tirunelveli, filled the past month with moments of joy and pride. These events reaffirm Aravind’s commitment to carrying forward Dr. V’s legacy, continuing on his path to eliminating needless blindness.

The inauguration of the Regional Research Centre marks another milestone in Aravind’s pursuit of excellence in eye care, extending its services beyond national boundaries. The centre is dedicated to conducting both basic and translational research to advance vision science and develop innovative solutions to reduce the burden of blindness.

Aurolab celebrated its 33rd anniversary, highlighting its unwavering mission to enable vision for all. This milestone stands as a testament to Aravind’s journey, growth, and commitment. What began with just 11 dedicated individuals and limited resources has now flourished into a leading force in the ophthalmic industry.

Auroitech celebrated its 2nd Annual Day on 1^st February 2025, with a conference and a celebratory event highlighting the evolving role of technology in healthcare. The occasion also honoured employees and reaffirmed the organisation’s vision and goals. Additionally, Auroitech organised a hackathon aimed at fostering innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving among college students, attracting over 75 participants from various institutions across the state.

These events, along with many more that took place between 15^th January and 15^th February, are featured in this edition.

Aravind-Chennai, 4^th February 2025

Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) was honoured with the Dr. K. V. Thiruvengadam Award for Health Care 2024-25 by the Rotary Club of Madras East, in collaboration with Kauvery Hospital, in recognition of its outstanding contributions to eye care and public health. Dr. Aravind Srinivasan, CMO, Aravind-Chennai, received the award on behalf of AECS.

New Delhi, 19^th January 2025

Aravind doctors won prizes at the DRF Winter Meet 2025, organised by the Delhi Retina Forum, held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Dr. Shreyas Sundardas Gore, Retina Fellow, Aravind-Madurai
EuroVersion – India: Video Presentation Selection Round
Second Prize
Title: Live Rescue – Exorcising the worm: Novel use of viscous fluid extractor for parasitic extraction (Video Presentation)

Dr. Harshini G. V., Retina Fellow, Aravind-Madurai
EuroVersion – India: Video Presentation Selection Round
Third Prize
Title: Treasure in the trash: Submacular CNVM removal surgery (Video Presentation)

Aravind-Madurai, 9^th February 2025

Organised by Aravind-Madurai, the two-day surgical feast targeted at Vitreo-Retina fellows in training. The inaugural address was given by Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, AECS, via a recorded video. Dr. Kim, CMO, Aravind-Madurai, welcomed the gathering. Dr. Naresh Babu, Chief, Vitreo-Retina, Aravind-Madurai, outlined the programme overview.

The distinguished faculty included Dr. Pramod Bhende, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Dr. Mahesh Shanmugam, Sankara Eye Hospital, Bengaluru, Dr. Naresh Kumar Yadav, Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru, Dr. Chandra Mohan, Mohan Retina Centre, Vijayawada, Dr. Rajeev Reddy, LVPEI, Dr. Karthik Kumar, Kumars Eye Care, Kanchipuram, Dr. V.R. Saravanan, Chief, Retina and Vitreous Services, Aravind-Coimbatore, Dr. Anand Rajendran, Chief, Retina and Vitreous Services, Aravind-Chennai, Dr. Manavi D Sindal, Chief, Retina and Vitreous Services, Aravind-Pondicherry, Dr. Syed Mohideen Abdul Khader, Chief, Retina and Vitreous Services, Aravind-Tirunelveli, and Dr. Venugopal, Chief, Retina and Vitreous Services, Aravind-Tirupati. The event saw a total of 130 delegates from across South India. A total of 8 sessions across 2 days showcased the intricacies of VR surgery. Key insights were shared on scleral buckling, ROP, giant retinal tears, diabetic membrane dissection, complex retinal detachments, large macular holes, intraocular foreign body removal, and endophthalmitis.

Ariyalur, 6^th February 2025

The Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme was inaugurated at the Government Medical College Hospital, Ariyalur. Dr. N. Venkatesh Prajna, Chief, Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Aravind-Madurai, graced the occasion as the guest of honour and delivered a talk during the inauguration ceremony. Dr. Prajna handed over the eye donation information board to Dr. Muthukrishnan, Dean of the hospital. They also released a special edition on eye donation during the programme.

A session was conducted by D. Saravanan, Manager, Eye Bank, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. The event was graced by the Vice Principal, Medical Superintendent, RMO, HOD of the Ophthalmology Department, and the Nodal Officer of the Organ Retrieval Committee. The event was attended by 150 people, including doctors, nurses, and allied staff.

Aravind-Madurai, 4-5 February 2025

The Central Office of HR, Aravind-Madurai, organised an HR Retreat attended by Regional HR Directors from all five zones, MLOP Doctors In-charge, and HR Managers from all hospitals. Cindy Harrison, Vice President of Henry Ford Health System and the HR team’s mentor since 2000, facilitated the retreat. This year, the HR team worked on a framework for strategic HR planning for the next 1-3 years. Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, delivered the keynote address, while Dr. G. Natchiar, HR Director, Emeritus, gave a special address, sharing her wisdom on human resource practices at Aravind.

Aravind-Madurai, 31^st January – 1^st February 2025

Organised by the Central HR Team, this two-day workshop on The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People was designed for medical consultants, equipping them with essential principles for personal and professional growth. The workshop was conducted by certified trainer Cindy Harrison, Vice President of Human Resources at Henry Ford Health System, who was personally trained by Stephen Covey. The sessions included interactive discussions, group activities, and practical exercises, helping attendees gain insights into each habit and apply them in their daily lives. Around 20 medical consultants from across all Aravind centres attended the programme.

Uthamapalayam & Salaigramam, 24^th & 28^th  January 2025

Saravanan, Manager, Eye Bank, Aravind-Madurai, conducted a session on eye donation, the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme, and the role of healthcare professionals in eye donation. The session, held at the Block-Level PHC in Salaigramam, was attended by 70 personnel, including doctors, nurses, and allied staff.

Saravanan, Manager, Eye Bank, Aravind-Madurai, conducted a session on Eye donation, Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme and the importance of health care professionals in eye donation. The session, held at the Government Hospital in Uthamapalayam, was attended by 25 personnel, including doctors, nurses, and allied staff.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 8^th February 2025

In the pursuit of excellence in eye care and to extend services to people beyond our national boundaries, fulfilling the vision and mission of Dr. V, the Regional Research Centre was established at Aravind-Tirunelveli. Padma Shri Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, inaugurated the centre in the presence of Padma Shri Dr. G. Natchiar, Director Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) Prof. K. Dharmalingam, Director, Research, AMRF, Dr. Siddharth, Medical Consultant, Aravind – Coimbatore, Dr. A. Vanniarajan, Scientist, AMRF, Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind-Tirunelveli, Dr. R. Meenakshi, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Tirunelveli and other staff members. The new research centre will conduct basic and translational research to advance vision science and develop new ways to reduce the burden of blindness.

Aurolab, 25^th January 2025

Aurolab celebrated its 33rd anniversary, marking the unwavering mission of enabling vision for all. This milestone stands as a testament to Aravind’s journey, growth, and commitment to eliminating needless blindness. What began with just 11 dedicated individuals and limited resources has now flourished into a leading force in the ophthalmic industry.

The anniversary celebration was a moment to reinforce Aravind’s values, culture, and achievements. The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. P. Balakrishnan, Managing Director Emeritus, Aurolab, RD Sriram, Managing Director, Aurolab, Padma Shri Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Trustee Chairman Emeritus, AECS, Padma Shri Dr. G. Natchiar, Director Emeritus, AECS, Dr. RD. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, RD. Thulasiraj, Aurolab Trust President, and Dr. Velautham Sarveswaran, Chairman of Trustees, Assist Resettlement and Renaissance, UK and SL. These dignitaries graced the occasion and delivered an inspiring speech.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of employees who had dedicated 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to Aurolab. Their commitment and contributions were celebrated with awards presented by the dignitaries. The event also featured captivating cultural performances by the production staff, adding vibrancy to the occasion. The celebration concluded with a special dinner, bringing together the Aurolab family in a spirit of unity and shared success.

Assam, 26-30 January 2025

As part of the Lions Project, Dr. Sathish Devaraj, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Salem, and Mohammed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO, conducted a Needs Assessment visit to the Guwahati Lions Eye Hospital, Assam. The main objective of this visit was to gain an understanding of the hospital and identify potential focus areas for improvement.

Ghaziabad, Uttarpradesh, 5-7 February 2025

As part of the Lions Project, Dr. Balaji V, Medical Consultant, Cornea Services, Aravind-Madurai, and Syed Ali A, Senior Faculty, LAICO, Raghul D, Faculty Associate, LAICO, conducted a Needs Assessment visit to the Lions Eye Hospital, Ghaziabad, Uttarpradesh. The main objective of this visit was to gain an understanding of the hospital and identify potential focus areas for improvement.

LAICO, 31^st January – 4^th February 2025

LAICO has initiated a three-year capacity-building project in collaboration with Sightsavers to enhance eye care delivery in five underserved districts in India. One of the key activities of the District Planning Initiative is to develop effective strategies and action plans to improve eye care services.

In this regard, a five-day Vision Building and Strategic Planning Workshop was conducted at LAICO, bringing together representatives from three districts: Gumla (Jharkhand), Sirohi (Rajasthan), and Katihar (Bihar). Representatives from Sightsavers and the DPM from Gumla also participated, along with the LAICO team. The workshop focused on public-private partnerships, outreach sustainability, improving surgery uptake, and quality and sterilisation standards. In addition to classroom sessions, participants visited primary eye care centres, community centres, and secondary hospitals of similar size. They also attended an outreach camp to observe systems, processes, and best practices in service delivery. At the end of the workshop, each district’s representatives developed an action plan for the next year.

Aravind-Madurai, 23-30 January 2025

The 23rd batch of the Management Priorities in Eye Care Delivery course was successfully conducted for 27 participants from India, Nigeria (virtually), and Nepal. Designed for heads of eye hospitals, the programme focused on strategic management, leadership, and operational excellence. The course featured sessions from internal faculty, including Dr. R.D. Ravindran, R.D. Thulasiraj, Emeritus Executive Director, LAICO, Dr. Venkatesh Prajna, Chief, Cornea Services, Aravind-Madurai, and others. Guest faculty such as Prof. Balasubramaniam, Prof. DVR Seshadri, and Manish Kumar enriched the sessions with insights on financial management, leadership, and operational strategies. The course provided participants with valuable tools to enhance efficiency and impact in their eye hospitals.

Aravind-Madurai, 30^th January 2025

Auroitech hosted an exclusive Client Retreat, bringing together its clients for meaningful discussions, networking, and strategic collaborations. The event facilitated stronger relationships and provided insights into upcoming innovations, solutions, and services in eyeNotes. Attendees engaged in high-level discussions, built connections, and gained a deeper understanding of Auroitech’s vision for the future. Participants provided positive feedback on the engaging format and the personalised attention given to clients. Around 14 participants from eight hospitals attended the programme.

Aravind-Madurai, 31^st January 2025

Auroitech organised a hackathon aimed at encouraging innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving among college students. The event provided an opportunity for participants to think creatively and develop technology-driven solutions to real-world problems. Industry experts mentored students, helping them refine their ideas and technical skills. The participants showcased their talents and enthusiasm throughout the event. With over 75 students from various colleges taking part, the day was filled with creativity, competition, and networking.

Aravind-Madurai, 1^st February 2025

Auroitech celebrated its 2nd Annual Day by organising various sessions. The morning session featured the Healthcare Technology Transformation Conference, focusing on the evolving role of technology in healthcare. This conference brought together leading experts in the technical field to explore pressing issues and innovations transforming healthcare.

Keynote speakers included, Sarath Anand Jupalli, MD, Shivam Medisoft Services Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Sumanth Raman, Founder, Algorithm Health, Ashokkan Somuveerappan, CIO – Hospital Division, Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Durga Rathinasamy, Data Leader / Deputy General Manager, Samsung Electronics, Vidhya Chandrasekaran, Engineering Leader – Search, Google, Bagmisikha Puhan, Managing Partner, Puhan & Puhan LLP, and Dr. Vivek Gupta, Additional Professor of Community Ophthalmology, Chief Information Security Officer – AIIMS. The conference highlighted advancements in ERP, EMR, data engineering, and patient data security.

The Annual Day celebration in the afternoon recognised teamwork and achievements over the past year while outlining the vision for the future. The event featured speeches from leadership members, recognition of top performers, and presentations on Auroitech’s vision and goals. The celebration highlighted the organisation’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and growth.

London, 24^th January 2025

Dr. Manju R. Pillai, Medical Consultant, Glaucoma Services, Aravind-Madurai, presented two posters titled “GAPO syndrome” and “An unusual case of ocular hypertension following steroid treatment in Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease” at the UK Paediatric Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting, held at the Cavendish Conference Centre, Duchess Mews, London.

New Delhi, 19^th January 2025

Aravind doctors participated and won prizes at the EuroVersion – India: Video Presentation Selection Round, during the DRF Winter Meet 2025, organised by the Delhi Retina Forum, held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on 19th January 2025.

Dr. Naresh Babu, Chief, Retina and Vitreous Services, Aravind-Madurai
Title: Intravitreal methotrexate as an adjuvant in vitrectomy in cases of retinal detachment with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (Video Presentation)

Dr. Anish, Retina Fellow, Aravind-Madurai
Title: Batting the parasite: Surgical management of intravitreal cyst (Video Presentation)

Dr. Rashmi Nagar, Retina Fellow, Aravind-Madurai
Title: Air perfused vitrectomy in traumatic vitreous haemorrhage (Video Presentation)

Dr. Jawahar Satya Babu, Retina Fellow, Aravind-Madurai
Title: Managing keratitis and endophthalmitis: A dual infection challenge (Video Presentation)