Our Bureau
Edison, NJ
Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF), USA, is the world’s largest free eye care program. On September 14, 2024, SEF, USA proudly hosted it’s Annual Donor Appreciation and Fundraising Gala celebrating a night of generosity, inspiration, and hope. The event, held at the Raritan Center Sheraton in Edison, New Jersey, featured legendary cricketer Mr. Sunil Gavaskar, as the Keynote Speaker, and visionary entrepreneur and Founder CEO of Bollant Industries, Mr. Srikanth Bolla as the Guest of Honor.
The gala was attended by a record 250 supporters, donors, and sponsors, who united for SEF, USA’s cause. Thanks to their generosity, the event raised over $425K which will go towards providing free eye care to underserved communities across India.
Vision 2030: March to a Million
SEF, USA’s Vision 2030: March to a Million is an all-India initiative to perform One Million free eye surgeries annually by 2030. In 2024, SEF, USA will perform more than 400,000 free eye surgeries through a network of 27 hospitals in 14 states in India!
Murali Krishnamurthy, Founder and Executive Chairman, of SEF, USA expressed his deep gratitude to donors and supporters: “We are incredibly thankful to our supporters, whose contributions make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of people. Having Sunil Gavaskar and Srikanth Bolla as part of our event added immense value, reminding us all of the importance of resilience and compassion.”
SEF, USA has several new upcoming hospital projects, like the R. Jhunjhunwala Sankara Eye Hospital, Varanasi, to be inaugurated in October 2024, the Kalyanam Karoti Eye Hospital, Mathura (inaugurating Nov 2024), the H.V.Desai Eye Hospital, Solapur (Inaugurating April 2025), and a major expansion of the Guntur Eye Hospital (inaugurating mid-2025) that are progressing rapidly.
Fireside Chat
At a fireside chat hosted by Manpreet Saluja and Minal Patel of SEF, USA, Sunil Gavaskar, and Srikanth Bolla shared inspirational stories of perseverance and dedication that captured the essence of SEF, USA’s bold mission to eliminate curable blindness in India and beyond.
Gavaskar, renowned for his accomplishments in international cricket, spoke passionately about the importance of giving back and the parallels between his career and the SEF, USA’s mission. “Just as a cricketer’s vision is crucial on the field, sight is vital to living a full life. Sankara Eye Foundation, USA is giving people a chance to regain that fundamental gift”, Gavaskar emphasized during the fireside chat, urging everyone to continue their support for this noble cause. Sunil Gavaskar’s gesture of presenting autographed cricket bats, and bats + books authored by him to donors donating over $5K and $10K, respectively, created an outpouring of generous donations as well as assurances of continued support and key partnerships in the future.
Bolla, the CEO of Bollant Industries, shared his inspiring personal journey of overcoming the challenges of being born visually impaired. Academically brilliant, he faced systemic barriers to studying STEM in college, which led him to a legal battle that won the right to higher education in STEM for the blind in India.
Today, Bolla is a leading advocate for inclusivity and accessibility in the workplace. He emphasized the power of vision, not just in a physical sense, but as a driving force behind progress and change, reflecting SEF, USA’s mission to eliminate curable blindness in India.
Sole event sponsor Axtria underscored their commitment to this important cause.
SEF, USA has been awarded a four-star rating from Charity Navigator nine years in a row for financial transparency, governance, and accountability. For more information, visit its website.
