The start of the New Year, 2025, marks the beginning of another cyclic year-long activities at Aravind, following its routine. Alongside clinical operations, events such as CME programmes, retreats, training sessions, employee engagement activities, and celebrations took place with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

The Pongal festival was celebrated with great involvement from every employee, showcasing the richness of Tamil culture. Various traditional activities and games were organised, bringing a sense of unity and togetherness among the staff.

To support and uplift the lives of visually challenged women at the Rehabilitation Centre in Mannarpuram, Trichy, who are involved in creating handmade items, Aravind-Madurai organised an annual sales day programme. This event, held as part of the Residents Social Responsibility initiative, provided a platform for the women to showcase and sell their handmade products.

A notable highlight was the launch of a documentary honouring the visionary journey of Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care System (AECS), one of the founding members of the AECS. The documentary was featured in the Docflix White Coat Legends series (www.docflix.com), which highlighted his active contribution in pioneering accessible, affordable, and high-quality eye care for millions of people.

News about these and many other events happened between 15th December 2024 and 15th January 2025 are featured in this edition.

Madurai, 28^th December 2024

White Coat Legends launched a video documentary on the Docflix OTT platform, supported and promoted by Mankind Pharma, honouring the visionary journey of Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, AECS. Dr. Namperumalsamy is one of the pioneers in bringing state-of-the-art vitreoretinal surgery to India for the management of retinal diseases.

The launch event held at the Marriott Courtyard, Madurai, began with a welcome address by Chintamaani, followed by Rajeev Juneja from Mankind Pharma delivering the founder’s message, and the screening of the documentary. Dignitaries shared their experiences and emotions, and Dr. P. Namperumalsamy expressed his gratitude to Mankind Pharma for producing the documentary, as well as to the staff members and friends of Aravind who joined the occasion.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 9^th January 2025

Marking the spirit of the Pongal festival, various activities were organised across all Aravind Centres, making the festive day filled with joy and togetherness.

At the events organised by Aravind-Pondicherry, a range of activities took place, from vibrant dance and soul-stirring music to the traditional Uriyadi. The MLOPs made Pongal in earthen pots and participated in traditional games, making the event truly special.

Similarly, Aravind-Coimbatore, Janakiammal Child Care Centre, Aurolab, and Auroitech celebrated the Pongal with great enthusiasm. The celebration at Aurolab was observed as Auro-Pongal. During the celebration, staff members showcased artistic performances like Karagattam, Oyilattam, Kolattam, Parai, Uriyadi, and Mulaipari, glorifying Tamil tradition. Finally, there was a special pooja and prasad was offered to all.

Aravind-Madurai, 8^th January 2025

The Department of Orbit, Aravind-Madurai organised its 5th Annual Retreat, focusing on streamlining examination and treatment protocols, as well as standardising procedures across all orbit departments of AECS. The retreat was led by the Madurai Orbit team, including Dr. Usha Kim, Chief, Orbit & Oculoplasty Services, Dr. Meghna Tanwar, Medical Consultant, Orbit & Oculoplasty Services, along with OT, Ward, and counselling MLOPs.

Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, also provided valuable insights during the meeting. The event was attended by doctors from various Aravind centres, including Dr. Viji Rangarajan, Chief, Orbit Services, Aravind-Coimbatore,  Dr. Kavitha Yuvarajan, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Coimbatore, Dr. Jayashree, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Chennai, Dr. R. Jeyagayatri, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Pondicherry, Dr. Preeti Mohandy, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Tirupati, and Dr. V. Maneksha, Chief, Orbit Services, Aravind-Tirunelveli, who represented their respective orbit departments.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 7-8 January 2025

The annual outreach meeting organised by Aravind-Pondicherry for the camp organisers and admin team reflected on a year of progress and collaboration. The gathering provided an opportunity to share insights and discuss ways to reach even more communities in need of eye care in 2025. From analysing 2024’s performance to overcoming challenges, every conversation focused on continuous improvement and finding new ways to eliminate avoidable blindness.

The meeting featured a special motivational talk by an external speaker, Saravana from Vanthavasi, and a fun game event. The camp officers from all Aravind Centres also participated, including Dr. Lalitha, Chief Microbiologist, Aravind-Madurai, Dr. V. Maneksha, Dr. Radney John Morris, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Coimbatore, Dr. Dayakar Yadalla, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Pondicherry, Dr. R. Venkatesh, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Pondicherry, and Dr. Srinath.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 5^th January 2025

Organised by Aravind-Coimbatore, the CME for all Vision Centre MLOPs began with an Aurowell check-up, followed by various sessions. Clinical sessions on neuro, cornea, retina, uvea, glaucoma, and paediatrics were conducted by speciality doctors, including Dr. M. Karthik Kumar, Medical Consultant, Neuro-Ophthalmology Services, Dr. C. Prem Anand, Medical Consultant, Glaucoma Services, Dr. P. Mangala, Medical Consultant, Cornea Services, Dr. Sazikala Elizabeth, Medical Consultant, Paediatric Ophthalmology, and Dr. S. Prema, Medical Consultant, Paediatric Retina and Ocular Oncology Services, sharing their insights.

In addition to these clinical sessions, there were classes on IOL lenses, accounts, and cash settlements. Mohamed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO, spoke about incidents that occur in vision centres and how they should be documented. The sisters had the opportunity to discuss with the doctors and clarify their doubts. The programme was hosted by Dr. Vijayevarshcini, Medical Consultant, General Ophthalmology Services. Lunch was provided at the end of the event. Around 30 MLOPs from 15 vision centres participated in this programme.

Aravind-Madurai, 5-6 January 2025

Organised by Aravind-Madurai, the CME programme aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of counsellors, ensuring they are equipped to provide the best support and guidance to patients. The session engaged counsellors in discussions, helping them understand the purpose of protocols, learn from real incidents, and refine their approaches to addressing patient needs.

The programme began with an introduction to the context, followed by a lecture by Dr. Rani Chakravarthy, Director, Rakshna Child Guidance Centre, Madurai, on the Importance of Counselling. Dr. Mahesh Kumar, Chief, Neuro-Ophthalmology Services, Aravind-Madurai, spoke on the importance of consent forms, pre-op investigations, and taking a thorough systemic history.

Subravani from Aurolab and Dr. Hasini provided valuable insights into the basics of Intraocular Lenses (IOL) and how counsellors can help patients make informed decisions. Dr. Sathya T. Ravilla, Chief, Paediatric Ophtahlmology Serices, Aravind-Tirupati, presented on Relooking at Patient Safety Protocols. Additionally, there was a quiz on clinical terminology that counsellors need to be familiar with.

The second day’s sessions featured various activities, including the use of counselling aids, the need for cross-learning, and planning for 2025. Activities led by Prof. Rachel and Rajakumari reinforced the importance of the soft skills counsellors need. Syed, Senior Faculty, LAICO, spoke on how to strategies, while Dhivya Ramasamy, Executive Director, LAICO, discussed on “What’s Next?” Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, emphasised that counsellors are key guardians of patient safety. Dr. G. Natchiar, Director Emeritus, AECS, concluded the event with a talk on the Role of the Counsellor in Aravind’s Journey. The event saw active participation from patient counsellors and in-charge doctors from various centres.

Aravind-Madurai, 5^th January 2025

Aravind-Madurai organised a BLS and Fire Safety training programme for Vision Centre staff, focusing on precautions and safety measures. The resource person for BLS training, Nithyananthan from TEVYE Training Services, Chennai, and the resource person for Fire Safety, Jothi Prakasham from Usha Fire Safety Equipment Pvt. Limited, Chennai, conducted the sessions. A total of 70 Vision Centre staff members attended the programme.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 3-5 January 2025

The sixth edition of the annual Hackathon, organised by Aravind-Pondicherry, began six months ago with the collection of 120 problem statements from across all the centres. After a detailed review, 36 were shortlisted and consolidated into 28 unique challenges.

The Hackathon brought together an inspiring mix of participants: 79 staff members from Aravind, including Consultants, Fellows, PGs, MLOPs, and Managers from Pondicherry, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tirupati, Chennai, and Coimbatore centres, 44 engineering students from VIT (Vellore & Chennai), IIT Tirupati, and Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, and a few staff children pursuing engineering, who joined as observers.

The panel of judges included Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Prof. Dr. Arulmozhivarman, Dean, Academic Research, VIT Vellore, Prof. Dr. Sebin Sunny, CEO, TCE Technology Business Incubator, TCE Madurai, and Dr. Anand Sivaraman, Founding Director, Remidio.

After 48 hours of non-stop brainstorming and collaboration, all teams presented working prototypes for their respective problem statements. The top 5 projects were recognised with cash prizes. The first and second prizes were awarded to Madurai teams for their innovative Eyemount 360 and Multitome Maker, respectively. The third prize went to the Aravind-Pondicherry team for their Kaleidoscope Camera, the fourth to the Optileap – The Phaco Coach by the Tirupati team, and the fifth to the OG – Outreach Gonioscope innovation by the Pondicherry team. A significant highlight of this year’s event was the exposure visit to VIT-Vellore on 2nd January 2025, where 20 Aravind doctors had the opportunity to explore advanced lab facilities and resources.

Aravind-Madurai, 3-4 January 2025

The Department of Biostatistics hosted a two-day workshop on research data management using REDCap software. The event began with a welcome speech by Sanil Joseph, Senior Faculty, LAICO, via Zoom, followed by a lamp-lighting ceremony, and a keynote address by Thulsiraj Ravilla, Director Emeritus, LAICO. The workshop aimed to familiarise participants with the features and functionalities of REDCap software, enhancing data standardisation and accuracy. The even included hands-on training with lectures, actively engaging participants throughout the session. A detailed discussion took place between the participants and the Biostatistics team about the various applications of the software and how to acquire it for their institutions. Overall, the combination of structured learning activities and meaningful discussions made the programme a highly valuable and enriching experience for all involved. Sixteen external participants from various parts of India and eight internal participants from other Aravind branches attended the workshop.

Aravind-Madurai/Coimbatore, 4^th January 2025

To honour the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille system, World Braille Day is observed annually on 4th January. In celebration of his legacy, the Vision Rehabilitation Departments at Aravind-Madurai and Aravind-Coimbatore organised Smart Vision Glass (SVG) distribution programmes at their respective centres.

At the event held at Aravind-Madurai, 28 SVGs were distributed to beneficiaries from a total of 30 SVGs sponsored by Bharat Petroleum Ltd. and SHG. During the event, Ibrahim, MD, SHG, spoke about the benefits of the new low-vision devices, while a representative from Bharat Petroleum discussed innovations in eye care.

Similarly, at Aravind-Coimbatore, 30 patients with severe visual impairment received SVGs, sponsored by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Rotary Club Madras East.

The chief guests included members from Rotary Club Madras East, Balaji Srinivasan, President, RCME Chennai, Gaurav Srikrishna, Rotarian, and Sriram, Service Engineer, SHG Technologies Pvt Ltd. At the conclusion of the event, Mahalingam, a beneficiary, shared his feedback about the glasses.

Aravind-Madurai, 1^st January 2025

As part of the Residents Social Responsibility programme – RSR’s flagship event, ‘Vaanavil,’ Aravind-Madurai organised an event, providing a platform for the visually challenged women from the Rehabilitation Centre, Mannarpuram, Trichy, to showcase and sell their handmade products, such as colourful and attractively printed bags, pouches, candle holders, incense sticks, towels, pillows, cushion covers, wire baskets, and bed sheets. Aravind staff thronged the exhibition and purchased items. This programme fostered empowerment and self-reliance among these visually challenged women.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 22^nd December 2024

The special programme “PASS-2024” was successfully organised by Aravind-Pondicherry for all married MLOPs and Vision Centre staff, along with their family members. This event provided an opportunity to bring together staff members from the base hospital and various vision centres under one roof. The event served as a platform for fostering unity and friendship among team members. It also provided valuable updates on hospital systems and offered insights into methods of financial empowerment. In addition, a feedback session as well as a variety of fun activities and games, ensuring a lively and engaging atmosphere for families.

Aravind-Theni, 22^nd December 2024

Held at Aravind-Theni, the Sight First Seminar for Lion’s Club members featured a comprehensive review of Vision Centre monitoring processes, with an in-depth presentation of data from January to November 2024, and centre-wise performance metrics. The programme was graced by Dr. A. Sashikumar, Lions District Governor. The programme featured various sessions led by internal experts from Aravind. Dr. Hema delivered the keynote address, Dr. Sreeramyaa presented on common eye diseases, and R. Meenakshi Sundram, Senior Manager, Clinical Services, Aravind-Madurai, spoke on the Lions’ efforts to eliminate needless blindness. Additionally, a session on eye donation was handled by D. Saravanan, Manager, Aravind Integrated Eye Bank Services. Naveneethan, the District Chairperson for Sight First, organised the seminar. A total of 60 Lions members actively participated.

Aravind-Salem, 22^nd December 2024

Organised by Aravind-Salem, the CME was conducted for Vision Centre staff, primarily focusing on strategic planning for 2025, emphasising the importance of outreach development and increasing the frequency of community camps. The event brought together VC In-charge MO doctors, and VC staff from various locations to share experiences and discuss action plans.

The morning session included a comprehensive overview of the VC teams’ data presentation from January to November 2024, showcasing centre-wise performance metrics. Adhiparasakthi, Overall VC Training Coordinator, conducted a class on “How to Communicate with VC Nearby Sponsors,” providing valuable guidance on sponsor communication. Rajathi, in charge of the Gandhigram VC, shared her valuable experience in managing vision centres, discussing key strategies for handling patients effectively while ensuring that no investigations were missed. The afternoon session involved the preparation of an action plan, developed with inputs from all VC staff to ensure that everyone’s perspectives were considered. The event concluded with an interactive quiz on common diseases.

Aravind-Salem, 21^st December 2024

A specialised workshop on Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) and Phacoemulsification (Phaco) Basics was organised by Aravind-Salem, focusing on providing comprehensive, practical knowledge on cataract surgery techniques. The programme offered valuable hands-on wet lab training to eye care professionals. Participants had the unique opportunity to enhance their skills through interactive sessions.

Aravind-Salem, 20^th December 2024

A fire safety awareness session was conducted at Aravind-Salem, led by Sivakumar, District Fire Officer, Salem. The event included an informative class and a practical drill, aimed at enhancing the employees’ knowledge of fire safety and preparedness. The class covered the importance of fire prevention, how to respond during an emergency, adopting proactive measures to minimise risks, and the various safety measures individuals can implement at home and in public spaces. The event raised awareness about fire hazards and how to protect themselves and others from dangers.