Several departments at Aravind-Tirunelveli organised exhibitions to create awareness amongst staff on the functions of the departments and their main responsibilities.

 Exhibition on Optics, June 3

Refraction department organised the exhibition where charts and models were displayed to make the audience understand the concept of optics.  Apart from these models, a few handicrafts by the staffwere kept on display.Staff from all the departments visited the exhibition and felt the exhibition very informative and interesting.

Exhibition by Opticals Department, June 14

Using waste materials, staff developed models of Manual edging machine, Kappa edger and various machines used in spectacles manufacturing.  A miniature model of the Optical shop was also kept on display.

Exhibition by Housekeeping Department, June 14

The exhibition displayed different types of kolams and rangoli designs. Rangoli made of grains, rock salt, husk were shown.  Uses of various medicinal and indoor plants were explained.  Method of preparing organic manure using vegetable waste was demonstrated.  There was a display of handicrafts made by staff of the Housekeeping Department.  This exhibition was a great opportunity for many to understand the hidden talents of the staff of Housekeeping Department. Sales of healthy snacks prepared by the staff – millet urundai, porivilangaiurundai and lime mint juice – was arranged. Proceeds from the sale of snacks was contributed to the Chief Minister’s COVIDRelief Fund.

Exhibition by Medical Records Department, June 17

Charts and models were displayed. Using thermocol and waste materials, models of registration counter, case sheet rack, foot ladder, fire extinguisher and cash counting machine were made and kept on display. Charts on medicolegal cases (MLC), other responsibilities of MRD were displayed followed by clear explanations by the staff.

Exhibition by Counseling Department, June 21

Staff members used thermocol, paper and waste materials to make models of individual counseling, group counseling, eye problems and layers of Retina. The team created a model of retina showing its 10 layers using different varieties of grains.

Exhibition by the Operation Theatre Staff, June 28

Models of operation theatre, suction apparatus, double door autoclave, washing machine, dryer, block room were kept on display.  Charts with information on the functions of operation theatre were also shown.

Aravind-Pondicherry, June 12

Hackathon 3.0 was organised to motivate the ophthalmic technicians to come up with innovative ideas and to develop their skills.  About 16 problem statements were shortlisted to discuss and solve during the Hackathon. There were 16 teams comprising doctors and MLOPs and each team was given one problem statement.The Hackathon was inaugurated by Dr.R.Venkatesh, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Pondicherry.  The final presentation was chaired by Dr.R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, Aravind Eye Care System and Dr.Venkatesh.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, June 16

Aravind-Tirunelveli organized a food carnivals as an entertainment activity. Homemade items like vegetable salad, fruit salad, millet ladoos, millet puttu, sesame ladoo, boiled peanuts, sundal varieties, juices were brought by the staff members and kept for sale. Snack items as well as main course food were also kept for sale. The carnival received an overwhelming response. Proceeds from the sales of products was contributed to the Chief Minister’s COVID relief fund.

Aravind-Coimbatore, June 30

There are many ways to spread positivity during these gloomy days of COVID-19. Aravind-Coimbatore chose to brighten up the paediatric ophthalmology department, with support from the staff. Doctors and nurses did beautiful drawings on the walls of the department and made the entire department look so vibrant.

Aravind – Tirunelveli, June 3 & June 11

Aravind-Tirunelveli conducted two debates in Tamil. The first one was organised by the Inpatient Department on the topic, The most essential quality for today’s youth – Punctuality / Discipline / Cleanliness / Simplicity / Team work / Sharing and updating knowledge.

Another debate was conducted by the Refraction and Optical Departments on the topic, Who is responsible for patients to buy spectacles and be satisfied – Refraction Department/ Opticals Department?

Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind-Tirunelveli was the judge for both the events. The debates were enjoyed thoroughly by the audience.

Aravind-Madurai, June 21-26

Following members of the Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation attended the meeting and presented their research work as posters.

Dr. C. Gowri Priya –Hsa-miR-143-3p inhibits MAPK signaling in human corneal epithelial stem cells

Ms. A. Waseema- Localization of stem cells in native human Retinal Pigmented Epithelium

Ms. R. Iswarya- Integration of cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) stem cells to TM in a cell loss human anterior segment organ culture (HOCAS) model

Ms. Iswarya received the ISCCR Zhongmei Chen Yong Award (Travel award) and Merit Abstract Award.