Page 26 - The Indian EYE 092724

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 | The Indian Eye 26

Sankara Eye Foundation, USA hosts Annual Donor

Appreciation and Fundraiser Gala to support the

mission of eliminating Curable Blindness in India

The event featured legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar as the Keynote Speaker, and visionary
entrepreneur and Founder CEO of Bollant Industries Srikanth Bolla as the Guest of Honor

OUR BUREAU USA is giving people a chance to re-
gain that fundamental gift”, Gavaskar
Edison, NJ
emphasized during the fireside chat,
n September 14, 2024, San- urging everyone to continue their
kara Eye Foundation (SEF), support for this noble cause. Sunil
OUSA, which is the world’s Gavaskar’s gesture of presenting au-
largest free eye care program, hosted tographed cricket bats, and bats +
its Annual Donor Appreciation and books authored by him to donors do-
Fundraising Gala celebrating a night nating over $5K and $10K, respective-
of generosity, inspiration, and hope. ly, created an outpouring of generous
The event, held at the Raritan Center donations as well as assurances of con-
Sheraton in Edison, New Jersey, fea- tinued support and key partnerships in
tured legendary cricketer Mr. Sunil the future.
Gavaskar, as the Keynote Speaker, and Bolla, the CEO of Bollant Indus-
visionary entrepreneur and Founder tries, shared his inspiring personal
CEO of Bollant Industries, Mr. Sri- journey of overcoming the challenges
kanth Bolla as the Guest of Honor. of being born visually impaired. Aca-
The gala was attended by a re- demically brilliant, he faced systemic
cord 250 supporters, donors, and barriers to studying STEM in college,
sponsors, who united for SEF, USA’s which led him to a legal battle that
cause. Thanks to their generosity, the difference in the lives of thousands of At a fireside chat hosted by Man- won the right to higher education in
event raised over $425K which will go people. Having Sunil Gavaskar and preet Sulaja and Minal Patel of SEF, STEM for the blind in India.
towards providing free eye care to un- Srikanth Bolla as part of our event USA, Sunil Gavaskar, and Srikanth Today, Bolla is a leading advocate
derserved communities across India. added immense value, reminding us Bolla shared inspirational stories of for inclusivity and accessibility in the
SEF, USA’s Vision 2030: March all of the importance of resilience and perseverance and dedication that cap- workplace. He emphasized the power
to a Million is an all-India initiative compassion.” tured the essence of SEF, USA’s bold of vision, not just in a physical sense,
to perform One Million free eye sur- SEF, USA has several new up- mission to eliminate curable blindness but as a driving force behind progress
geries annually by 2030. In 2024, SEF, coming hospital projects, like the R. in India and beyond. and change, reflecting SEF, USA’s
USA will perform more than 400,000 Jhunjhunwala Sankara Eye Hospital, Gavaskar, renowned for his mission to eliminate curable blindness
free eye surgeries through a network Varanasi, to be inaugurated in Octo- accomplishments in international in India.
of 27 hospitals in 14 states in India! ber 2024, the Kalyanam Karoti Eye cricket, spoke passionately about the Sole event sponsor Axtria un-
Murali Krishnamurthy, Found- Hospital, Mathura (inaugurating Nov importance of giving back and the par- derscored their commitment to this
er and Executive Chairman, of SEF, 2024), the H.V.Desai Eye Hospital, allels between his career and the SEF, important cause. SEF, USA has been
USA expressed his deep gratitude to Solapur (Inaugurating April 2025), USA’s mission. awarded a four-star rating from Char-
donors and supporters: “We are in- and a major expansion of the Guntur “Just as a cricketer’s vision is cru- ity Navigator nine years in a row for fi-
credibly thankful to our supporters, Eye Hospital (inaugurating mid-2025) cial on the field, sight is vital to living nancial transparency, governance, and
whose contributions make a tangible that are progressing rapidly. a full life. Sankara Eye Foundation, accountability.

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