Sivagangai, 15^th July 2025

The Rotary Aravind International Eye Bank (RAIEB), Madurai organised an eye donation awareness programme at the Primary Health Centre, Nerkuppai, Sivagangai. D. Saravanan, Manager, RAIEB, Aravind-Madurai, conducted a session covering eye donation, the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme, and the role of healthcare professionals in promoting eye donation. The programme was attended by 30 participants, including doctors, nurses, and village health nurses.

Aravind-Tirupati, 12^th July 2025

As part of the My Life My Pride initiative, Aravind-Tirupati conducted a Certificate Awarding Ceremony for AOPs who completed six months of Taekwondo training and earned three belts. These AOPs underwent their grading exam for Yellow-1 and Green belts on 8^th  June 2025.

Additionally, dance and tailoring students who completed a six-month course also received their certificates during the event. To mark the occasion, the Taekwondo and dance students presented an entertaining programme, showcasing aerobic dance and a variety of Taekwondo techniques including kicking, sparring, and tile-breaking demonstrations.

Dr. Sandra, Medical Consultant, Paediatric Ophthalmology Services, Aravind-Coimbatore, distributed the yellow belts and certificates, while Ms. Anupama, who has been conducting life skills classes, distributed the dance and tailoring certificates.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 10^th July 2025

M.A. Latheef, President, Kaniyapuram Pallinada Residents Association (KPRA), Kerala, one of Aravind’s camp sponsors since 2018, has sponsored 12 camps each year, focusing on the coastal areas of Kaniyapuram. He also serves society by constructing and donating one house each year to a person in need. This year, the house he has built in Kaniyapuram was named as Dr. G.V. Bhavanam in recognition of the selfless and outstanding service rendered by Dr. G. Venkatasamy to society. The formal key handover ceremony was held in July to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr. V.  in the presence of Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind-Tirunelveli, and Dr. Sunil, Superintendent, RIO Trivandrum and an alumnus of Aravind-Tirunelveli.

Aravind–Chennai, 3-4 July 2025

Aravind–Chennai, in collaboration with the ALCON Phaco Development team, conducted a two-day Advanced Cataract Course for ophthalmologists at the ARCORE Training Centre, aimed at enhancing cataract surgical skills. Dr. Ashok Ranganathan, Centre for Eye and Health Care Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, and Dr. Shivakumar, Sri Sarada Eye Hospital, Chennai, were the guest speakers. The programme featured lectures, live surgery observation, participants’ surgical video discussions, and hands-on experience in the wet lab. A total of 32 participants from across India attended the programme.

Aravind-Thanjavur, 27^th June 2025

In line with its commitment to providing high-quality eye care to the people of Thanjavur and surrounding areas, the newly inaugurated Aravind-Thanjavur commenced its surgical services on 27^th June 2025, two months after the hospital’s opening. On the first day of service, four surgeries were performed. The hospital is now equipped to perform cataract, retina, glaucoma, and cornea surgeries. However, LASIK and orbit surgeries have not yet been started.

Aravind-Madurai, 25^th June 2025

The 118^th vision centre of the Aravind Eye Care System was inaugurated at Lakshmi Hospital (TVS Group), Madurai. The centre was formally opened by Dr. R. Kim, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Madurai, R. Subramanian, Trustee, Arogya Welfare Trust, and S. Venkata Narayanan, Trustee, Arogya Welfare Trust. The event was graced by Dr. Vishruth, CMO, Lakshmi Hospital, and Dr. Vijayaprabha, along with senior members from both institutions. In the first week since its inauguration, the centre examined 97 patients. Among them, 3 patients were advised cataract surgery, 23 were prescribed glasses with 11 placing orders, and 13 were referred to the base hospital for further evaluation.

The inaugural event was facilitated through the efforts of Chandan, Administrative Officer, and Kanjana from Lakshmi Hospital, A. Mohammed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO, G. Jhansi Sunitha, VC Manager, Aravind-Madurai, and Aathibarasakthi, AOP Sister, Aravind-Madurai. Eye Health Workers Nagalingam and Raman also supported by coordinating the preparatory activities.

Chennai, 25-27 June 2025

The three-day residential Design Thinking workshop was held at the 8012 FinTech Design Center, School of Design Thinking, Intellect, Siruseri, Chennai, aiming to strengthen participants’ skills in product design, process thinking, and user-centred innovation. Arun Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Intellect Design Arena Ltd., addressed the participants at the inaugural session.

Through immersive sessions, collaborative exercises, and real-world case studies, the workshop provided practical tools and frameworks to help participants tackle design challenges more effectively in their work environments. The residential format enabled deep learning and active engagement, with participants staying onsite throughout the programme.

The workshop was attended by 34 Aravind staff from Madurai, Chennai, and Pondicherry, representing a diverse mix of IT staff, doctors, faculty, and managers.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 22^nd June 2025

Held at Aravind-Pondicherry, the CME covered all aspects of myopia, including strategies to prevent its progression and a step-by-step guide to setting up a myopia clinic. The programme also focused on amblyopia management and explored clinical assessment and treatment approaches for accommodation anomalies. Sessions included talks on the role of screen time in myopia, headaches in children, and comprehensive optical management, followed by paediatric cataract surgery discussions and case presentations. The CME concluded with an interactive Kahoot quiz with exciting prizes for winners and a workshop on orthoptic evaluation and exercises.

Aravind-Salem, 22^nd June 2025

Organised by Aravind-Salem, the CME on phacoemulsification commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. R. Sankarananthan, Medical Consultant, Cataract & Uvea Services, Aravind-Salem.  Speakers and moderators, including Dr. Madhusekar, Chief, Cataract Service, Aravind-Madurai, Dr. Anuja, Medical Consultant, Cornea Services, Aravind-Salem, Dr. Sankarananthan, Dr. Vedhanayaki, Medical Consultant, Uvea Services, Aravind – Madurai, Dr. Arjun Shenoy, Dr. A.J. Dhanashri, Medical Consultatn, Retina-Vitreous Services, Aravind-Salem; Dr. Harini Krishna, Medical Officer, Aravind – Tirunelveli, Dr. Saranya A, Dr. Sathish, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Salem, Dr. Shivakumar, Chief, Cataract Services, Aravind-Tirunelveli, Dr. Jeyaprakash, Dr. Sujai, Dr. Jebinth, Dr. Navaneeth Kumar, Medical Consultant, Cataract Services, Aravind-Coimbatore, presented on a range of topics covering modern cataract surgery techniques, complication management, and surgical advancements. A key highlight of the CME was an interactive debate on “Phaco vs. SICS in Complex Cases,” which generated active discussion and engagement among attendees, providing valuable insights into surgical decision-making in challenging cataract scenarios. The event was attended by 55 delegates.

Aravind–Madurai, 28^th June 2025

The Aravind Centre for Eye Care Innovation (ACEi) inaugurated the Eyedeas Lab, a dedicated space for nurturing creativity, building prototypes, and advancing innovations in eye care, at the LAICO building. The lab was inaugurated by R.D. Sriram, Managing Director, Aurolab, in the presence of Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, Thulasiraj Ravilla, Director Emeritus, LAICO, Dr. R. Kim, CMO, Aravind–Madurai & Director – IT Services, AECS, Dr. R. Venkatesh, CMO, Aravind–Pondicherry, Dr. Venkatesh Prajna, Finance Director, AECS, Dr. P. Balakrishnan, Managing Director Emeritus, along with senior leadership and staff members.

The inaugural event included a ceremonial lamp lighting by the key dignitaries. This was followed by a symbolic launch of the lab’s facilities, Dr. R. Kim switched on the prototype display lighting, Dr. R.D. Ravindran and Thulasiraj Ravilla activated the 3D printers and other core equipment, and Dr. Usha Kim, Regional HR Director – Aravind Madurai & Dindigul, Dr. N. Balakrishnan – Electrical Engineer, Aravind – Madurai, and Dr. P. Balakrishnan powered up the lab’s electrical workbenches.

Dr. R. Venkatesh, who also leads ACEi, cut the cake to mark the launch of the Eyedeas Lab and highlighted the vision behind the Eyedeas Lab and ACEI, and videos showcasing prototypes developed under the ACEi initiative were screened. The event concluded with reflections and encouraging words from the guests, followed by a formal vote of thanks delivered by B. Udayakumar, Senior Faculty, LAICO, & Coordinator, ACEi.