15+ years of devoted service to SEF, USA

For over 25 years, Kala Muralidharan, Sheila Amaranthan, and Lakshmi Karthikeyan have been the quiet force behind much that Sankara has built. While the mission has grown and garnered the support of thousands of donors and volunteers, our three angels worked diligently in the background — keeping the records, responding to every call and query from donors, helping organize mega events, and together being the heart and soul of the organization with care that cannot be measured in hours or line items.

This is our humble tribute to Sankara’s Three Angels.

The Energizer Bunny, the Powerhouse, and the Artistic Soul

Kala Muralidharan - The Energizer Bunny

Divyogi Patel, our Chief Operating Officer, describes Kala with great affection as the ‘Energizer Bunny. “She is available at any time to solve any problem. No matter how many hours she needs to put in, she is the first one on the task and the last one to leave. There is no such thing as limited duty in her world. Whether it is accounting, auditing, backend operations, or any corner of Sankara where help is needed, she shows up without complaint, without condition, and without the slightest expectation of credit.”

Patient Counseling and Laboratory

“What makes this all the more remarkable,” he adds, “is that Kala actively resists the spotlight. She has spent nearly thirty years doing everything possible to stay out of the limelight. And yet, as those who know her will tell you, she is not someone to be taken lightly. Behind that quiet humility is a spirit of great strength. She is, in the words of those who have worked alongside her, a tigress — firm, capable, and utterly committed to the work.”

"There's no one that can do her job better," says Sankara Advisory Board Member, Anil Lal. "The depth of knowledge and the memory she has is incredible. She knows the donors, their giving, and so many details about them. I was flabbergasted the first time I witnessed it. A further testimony to her incredibly caring nature is that whenever guests or volunteers visit the office, there is always food, lovingly prepared.”

Sheila Amaranthan - The Powerhouse

Research, the Eye Bank, and the Operating Room

And then there is Sheila. Murali Krishnamurthy, our Executive Chairman, says, “If the Sankara phone rings, Sheila will pick it up by the second ring. Morning, noon, or night, seven days a week, Sheila responds to every query of the donors. She feels the same sense of ownership for Sankara that I do.” But what truly sets her apart is the deep personal connection she has with donors. Anil Lal says, “She knows birthdays, anniversaries, preferences, and personal histories — not because they are filed away somewhere, but because she carries them in her heart.”

Murali Krishnamurthy adds, “They are the salt of the earth, immensely dedicated. Sankara’s donor data is one of its strongest points, and the detail and accuracy of the data are all thanks to Sheila.”

Support for Mega Events

Koushik Kundu, Sankara’s Austin Chapter leader, describes Sheila, Lakshmi and Kala as the people “we truly cannot do without at Sankara. At all major events, they take care of so many responsibilities, but also make sure that people get their tickets and any queries answered. Together, they are just a powerhouse.

The Gift of Vision

Anil Lal agrees, “During events like the Dandias, or mega concerts, Sankara sells thousands of tickets. The trio handles every detail, every request from donors and ticket-holders with care and expertise to ensure the best experience. For the fundraising events, the back-end tasks are organized with meticulous detail, which is extremely important for successful events.”

Lakshmi Karthikeyan - The Artistic Soul

Lakshmi was the beating heart of the Sankara office. She came in every day through COVID when the rest of the world stayed home, working alone in the office. She handled every task placed before her with meticulous care and an always-pleasant manner. She was, in the words of Geeta Kumar, our Director of Donor Development, "an amazingly strong person — very steady and disciplined. Someone we all depended on without a second thought."

But Lakshmi's gifts extended beyond reliability. Anju Desai, a member of Sankara’s Board, describes Lakshmi as “a deeply artistic person. The stunning floral arrangements and centerpieces at every Sankara gala, the garlands for the Dandias, the exquisite altar decorations for the Mata ji ki Aarti — were all her creations. Lakshmi visited the florists herself, chose every stem and flower, and designed each arrangement with an attention to beauty and detail that transformed any space she touched. She did all of this without ever asking for recognition in return. She put so much love into all of her artistic creations!"

Harini Sivanandh Ramadass is a youth volunteer with Sankara Eye Foundation, USA.

About her two angels, Kala says, “Sheila and Lakshmi were my right hand and left hand, the people on whom I depended so much. Sankara is where it is today because of their silent support, quietly rising to any task without any question or challenge. Throw any curveball at them, and like Lakshmi’s hero, SUNNY GAVASKAR, they would stand steady, hitting them with so much energy and positivity.”

Lakshmi’s passing has left a profound void in the hearts of all who knew her at Sankara. For Sheila, “she was a sister in every sense, and a source of great support. For Raj Panchpakesan, a long-time Sankara volunteer, she was a “very kind and quiet dear friend” who “made everyone around her feel loved and valued”. Sankara will always remember Lakshmi with respect, gratitude and affection.