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The Magic of Light Touches Andhra
Pradesh:
Until recently, not many would have
imagined that a stretch of land adjoining the national highway from Guntur to Vijayawada will become a source of
succor for the sightless people around the twin cities of
Guntur and Vijayawada. yet today, when one drives along this
highway, one can't miss the Proclains and Earthmovers
scourging the earth to pave way for a solid foundation on
which will rest the super Specialty facility Sankara Eye
Hospital, Guntur.
Who will this hospital benefit? Our
own brethren back home...
Until now, people of Andhra Pradesh
had to travel some 300-500 Kms to Hyderabad or Chennai for
reliable eye care. Not for much longer; once our hospital
takes shape as His Holiness Kanchi Acharya will himself
inaugurate the hospital in September/October 2003. And thanks
to the strong altruistic feelings amongst the people of Indian
origin settled in the United States, as also similar
sentiments prevailing back home in India, the hospital is not
a distant dream. While the construction and hardcore
activities are managed by the dedicated people in Sankara Eye
Hospital, Coimbatore; we can make a significant contribution
by pitching in with dollars. Let us make this happen as our
project which will help our fellow beings back home in Andhra. The
project construction and human resource training - progress so
far:
Foundation PCC and CR masonry are complete. All the 186
columns will reach lintel level soon. This is by and large in
line with the planned schedule. On the human resource front, 5
doctors and 30 girl students from Guntur, under training at
Coimbatore, will be ready to take charge even as the hospital
comes up.
City of Guntur - the response:
The visit of His Holiness Sankaracharya in February 2003
was the catalyst that brought together diverse groups in
Guntur and Vijayawada. The elite of Guntur volunteered
donations worth Rs. 10 million at the meeting addressed by the
Acharya at the Balaji Temple. The MPs of Guntur, the
Collector, The Chairperson of VGTM-VUDA (the urban development
authority) have demonstrated personal interest to move matters
without hurdles. The President of Chemists & Druggists
Association has offered to display a model/laminated photo at
all vantage points to give publicity to the project.
What needs to be done:
We need to garner resources to keep the construction going
- and every dollar counts. Telugu Association of North America
(TANA) have expressed desire to join hands with our
institution to further their work of reaching out to the
deprived sections - particularly in villages to which the TANA
members belong. In other words, there is a tide that needs to
be channelized in a way that the benefits reach the people to
whom it is intended. Please participate in this divine work
and help us eradicate curable blindness from India.
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