MSMF Blog tag:msmf.ca,2008:/blog/1 2008-08-16T16:44:12Z Movable Type 3.2ysb5-20051201 CNN Heroes: Dr. Chandra Sankurathri - Story Highlights tag:msmf.ca,2008:/blog//1.18 2008-08-16T16:30:41Z 2008-08-16T16:44:12Z msmf  

 

CNN Heroes - Dr. Chandra Sankurathri 

His tragic loss helps others gain sight
  • Story Highlights
  • Chandrasekhar Sankurathri's wife and children were killed in a terrorist attack
  • The loss inspired him to help with blindness and education in a rural Indian village
  • More than 1,200 students have gone through a school his foundation built
  • Most of more than 137,000 cataract surgeries at his eye hospital have been free


KURUTHU, India (CNN) -- In a single, tragic day, Chandrasekhar Sankurathri lost everything he loved.
More than 137,000 cataract surgeries have been performed at Chandrasekhar Sankurathri's eye hospital.
"Nobody should go through what I've been through in my life," he says.
Sankurathri's wife and two young children were flying on Air India Flight 182 from Ottawa, Canada, to Bombay, India (now known as Mumbai), in 1985 when a bomb exploded, killing everyone on board.
"I used to think maybe they landed someplace. Maybe somebody rescued them, you know," he says.
For three years he stumbled through his daily routine as a biologist in Ottawa, not wanting to believe the truth.
"I was really lost," he remembers.
After considerable soul-searching, Sankurathri made a decision few others might -- to turn his personal pain into an opportunity to help those less fortunate. In 1988, he quit his job, sold his home and returned to India, where he was born, and where he believed he could do the most good.
"India has so many problems," says Sankurathri, 64.
Two in particular caught his attention: a lack of school attendance and rampant blindness. With the money he had, Sankurathri created a foundation in his wife's name, and in turn, built a school and an eye hospital in the small rural village of Kuruthu, not far from his wife's birthplace. Today, his foundation's efforts to empower the poor through education and health care are having significant success.


Don't Miss
·         In Depth: CNN Heroes
·         Get Involved: Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation
Since it's creation in 1992, Sarada School -- named for the 4-year-old daughter Sankurathri lost -- has grown from one grade to nine. More than 1,200 students have graduated and many of them have gone on to high school and college. Sankurathri keeps in touch with past students.
"We act like a big family," he says.
In a country where the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization estimates the national primary school dropout rate is more than 50 percent, Sankurathri proudly says that not one of his students has ever dropped out. Watch Sankurathri talk about the school he started in memory of his family »
The same buses that pick up students for Sankurathri's school in the morning are often used later in the day to bring eye care patients from other rural areas to the Srikiran Institute of Ophthalmology, Sankurathri's eye hospital, named for the 7-year-old son he lost. Since the hospital's opening in 1993, more than 137,000 cataract surgeries have been performed, 90 percent of them free.
"We see close to 350 outpatients a day and perform 80 surgeries per day," he says. "Our mission is to provide quality eye care with compassion, which is equitable, accessible and affordable to all."
But Sankurathri has found that getting patients the care they need often requires educating the public first.
"In India, people are so ignorant. They think cataract blindness is not curable," he says. "They are not aware that it is curable and that it is a simple operation."
In fact, about 75 percent of India's estimated 15 million blind people could avoid blindness with prevention or medical treatment, according to Vision 2020 India. Sankurathri is amazed and delighted by the transformation that occurs after each cataract surgery. Watch Sankurathri explain how he is helping the blind to see again »
"Just within a few hours, you make their lives totally different," he says. "Their whole life changes -- the way they walk, they act, they smile."
The goal, Sankurathri says, is not only to help the blind see again, but also to lead a better life. Sankurathri has been back in India for almost 20 years. He insists his work does not make him special.
"I'm just an ordinary human being trying to do my best to help others." Watch Sankurathri explain how he turned his personal grief into the gift of sight for thousands »

He also believes his journey to honor those he loved has not been a solitary one.
"I feel very close to my family. I feel they are here with me" he says. "That gives me a lot of strength."

 

 

 

Sarma Vishnubhatla

16 August 2008

 

]]> CNN HEROES - Dr. Chandra Sankurathri tag:msmf.ca,2008:/blog//1.17 2008-08-15T18:19:07Z 2008-08-15T18:23:58Z msmf We are proud that CNN recognized Dr. Chandra Sankurathri as a HERO.  Please visit the CNN website: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/cnn.heroes/

View the video clips CNN has on their website:

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Sarma Vishnubhatla
15 August 2008
]]> Dr. Vinay Bhide's Concert for MSMF tag:msmf.ca,2007:/blog//1.16 2007-09-05T18:47:33Z 2007-09-05T19:00:06Z msmf  

MSMF Presents

An Awareness Raising and Fundraising Concert Featuring

 

Dr. Vinay Bhide,

 

Dr. Bhide is a highly renowned expert in vocal Indian music who has performed and lectured extensively in Europe and North America.  In his current appointment as adjunct research professor in the Music Dept., Carleton University he has shared his vast expertise and talents with his many students as well as broader Ottawa audiences.

 

Accompanied by

Mr. Opinder Sadana on Tabla, Mr. Madhu Joshi on Mridangam, Mrs. Chumki Bhide on Tanpura

 

On Sunday, Sep 9, at 4 PM

Orleans Theatre, 255 Centrum Blvd., Ottawa, ON

 

Free Will Donations to MSMF Appreciated.

Donations to MSMF qualify for Tax Credits in Canada

 

Information:

Norbert Boyce  613 521 2088

Bala Madaparthi  613 739 1572

Lakshmi Vishnubhatla  613 523 5413

 

]]> MSMF Picnic in Vancouver - Panorama Park tag:msmf.ca,2007:/blog//1.15 2007-06-10T12:49:42Z 2007-06-10T13:06:17Z msmf

MSMF Picnic in Panorama Park

 

Saturday, June 23, 2007

1: 00 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Deep Cove, North Vancouver

 

Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation was created in loving memory of Dr. Chandra’s wife, Manjari Sankurathri and two children Srikiran (7 yrs) and Sarada (4 yrs) who were killed in the Air India (Kanishka) disaster on 23rd June, 1985, twenty-two years ago this day off the coast of Ireland.

 

If you would like to attend and meet Dr. Chandra,

RSVP shae_arujun@hotmail.com or mpalano@canada.com.

 

For more information about MSMF please visit ww.msmf.ca

 

]]> Montreal Public Event - 2007 tag:msmf.ca,2007:/blog//1.14 2007-06-05T20:17:52Z 2007-06-05T20:17:59Z msmf Date and Time: Saturday 16th June, 2007 at 6:00pm.
Venue: Jeanne Timmins , Montreal Neurological Hosp.
3801 University St., Montreal

Cost: $25 (100% profits donated to MSMF)
Activities: Meet Dr. Chandra in person.
Video presentation and Q & A by Dr. Chandra

Live songs and Indian classical dances by renowned teacher Vasanta Krishnan
Refreshments and beverages served.

YOUR SMALL SUPPORT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
(Donations to MSMF qualify for tax credit in Canada)
MSMF Charity Registration Number : BN 89002 4995 RR0001

Further info and tickets contact
Call: 514 366 9995
514 748 9928
514 489 6443
514 908 9090(Ticketpro)

Online tickets at: www.ticketpro.ca
Tickets also available 30 minutes before at the door, on the date of the event.

email:infolightalamp@gmail.com

]]> Ottawa Annual Picnic - 2007 tag:msmf.ca,2007:/blog//1.13 2007-06-05T20:12:37Z 2007-06-05T20:14:08Z msmf Andrew Haydon Park, Location C5
3169 Carling Avenue, Ottawa

On Sunday
17 June 2007, from 10 am to 5 pm

Home made Indian food…
Masala Dosa, Idli, Vada, Chat, Samosa, …

Live Entertainment

Lots of Fun Activities..

Volleyball, Henna, Face Painting, …

$12 per Person
No Charge for Kids under 10

]]> Vancouver fundraising event . . . tag:msmf.ca,2006:/blog//1.12 2006-09-19T14:09:42Z 2006-09-19T14:40:29Z msmf The evening will encompass entertainment, music and a showing of the award winning Gemini nominated CBC documentary, “A Ray of Light”. Meet Dr. Chandra and hear his inspirational story of hope.

Date: Friday October 6, 2000
Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Vancouver East Cultural Centre (VECC)
Address: 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver
(entertainment, food and beverages included)

Cost of Tickets: $25.00 plus additional fees
VECC Box office: You may purchase tickets on Friday Oct 6th from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm.
Ticketmaster: You may purchase advance tickets by contacting Ticketmaster at 604.280.3311 or visiting www.ticketmaster.ca.

If you would like further details regarding the fundraiser please contact Shae Arjun at 604.818.6412.

The fundraiser event poster (vancouver_event.pdf) . . .

]]> Toronto Public Engagement Session, for Dr. Chandra Sankurathri tag:msmf.ca,2006:/blog//1.11 2006-09-18T14:20:05Z 2006-09-18T14:31:36Z Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation (MSMF), a registered charity in Canada, is pleased to hold a Public Engagement Session, for Dr. Chandra Sankurathri, who is visiting us from Kakinada, India.Dr. Sankurathri, who lost his wife Manjari, son Srikiran, daughter Sarada, in... msmf Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation (MSMF), a registered charity in Canada, is pleased to hold a Public Engagement Session, for Dr. Chandra Sankurathri, who is visiting us from Kakinada, India.

Dr. Sankurathri, who lost his wife Manjari, son Srikiran, daughter Sarada, in the bombed Air India Flight 182 in 1985, started Education and Health programs in Andhra Pradesh, India, to help the rural poor.  His humanitarian work is well documented in the recent award winning CBC Documentary, A Ray Of Light.

This year, India Canada Association of the National Capital Region presented Dr. Chandra Sankurathri with their Outstanding Community Achievement Award.

The Open House is on Saturday, September 30, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, in the party room at 5 Marine Parade Drive, Etobicoke, ON.  Dr. Sankurathri and MSMF Volunteers will be available to brief you on the projects and progress being made.   Your presence and participation will encourage us.  Thank you.

RSVP
Ellen Shifrin               416 465 1336
Ravi Gopisetty           416 435 3362
Sarma Vishnubhatla   613 523 5413

Open House:   Time & Place
2:00 – 6:00 PM, Saturday, 30 September 2006
5 Marine Parade Drive, Etobicoke, ON 

Directions to 5 Marine Parade Drive 

Coming from the East
-QEW take Lakeshore Exit, immediately after South Kingsway exit
-exit will pass below QEW
-at lights on Lakeshore turn left(east), Marine Parade Drive is first street on the right 

Coming from the West
-QEW take Kipling, Islington and Parklawn collectors
-Take Parklawn exit turn right at lights towards the lake
-will pass by Mr Christie's factory at lights at lakeshore turn left(east)
-Marine Parade Drive is 1 min drive on right side 

5 Marine Parade Drive is a set of 2 white condo buildings the smallest set in the bunch

]]> An invitation from ICA and MSMF - Ottawa Public Engagement Program tag:msmf.ca,2006:/blog//1.10 2006-09-17T11:44:01Z 2006-09-18T14:15:58Z msmf  
Dr. Sankurathri, who lost his wife Manjari, son Srikiran, daughter Sarada, in the bombed Air India Flight 182 in 1985, started Education and Health programs in Andhra Pradesh, India, to help the rural poor.  His humanitarian work is well documented in the recent award winning CBC Documentary, A Ray Of Light.
 
This year, India Canada Association of the National Capital Region is pleased to present Dr. Chandra Sankurathri with their Outstanding Community Achievement Award.
 
At this occasion we are very please to have special key note Speaker Mr. S.J. S. Chhatwal, former High Commissioner of India in Canada.
 
Please join us on Saturday, 23 September 2006 at 6:30 P.M. at
Council Chambers, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive
Ottawa.
 
A reception will be followed after the event.

For Further information, Please call Shri Gopal at 613-830-2600 or Sarma Vishnubhatla at 613-523-5413

]]> Dr. Chandra's visit . . . tag:msmf.ca,2006:/blog//1.9 2006-09-17T11:37:04Z 2006-09-18T02:31:04Z msmf Dr. Chandra Sankurathri will be visiting Canada from 20th Sep, 2006 to 10th Oct, 2006. He will be crisscrossing the country, to speak to volunteers, supporters and well wishers to update latest happenings at Kakinada and brief them about latest happenings and future plans.

Here is Dr. Chandra Sankurathri's itinerary, and we request all to use this opportunity to meet him in person.

20-Sep-06 Ottawa Arrive in Ottawa 
21-Sep-06 Ottawa
22-Sep-06 Ottawa
23-Sep-06 Ottawa
6:30 - 8:30 pm  ICA / MSMF Public Engagement Session
24-Sep-06 Ottawa
25-Sep-06 Ottawa
9:15 AM Ottawa St. Isidore School visit
1:00 PM Ottawa St. Gregory School visit
26-Sep-06 Ottawa
27-Sep-06 Ottawa
3:00 pm University of Ottawa Eye Institute visit
28-Sep-06 Ottawa
29-Sep-06 Ottawa / Peterborough / Toronto
30-Sep-06 Toronto
1-Oct-06 Toronto / Vancouver / Nanaimo
2-Oct-06 Nanaimo
3-Oct-06 Vancouver
4-Oct-06 Vancouver / Salt spring Island
5-Oct-06 Salt spring Island
6-Oct-06 Salt Spring Island / Vancouver
7-Oct-06 Bowen Island
8-Oct-06 Vancouver / Toronto
9-Oct-06 Toronto / Ottawa
10-Oct-06 Ottawa Leave for India

]]> Eye Camp 1000 tag:msmf.ca,2006:/blog//1.8 2006-07-18T02:50:26Z 2006-09-18T02:29:12Z msmf Srikiran conducted its 1,000th Eye Camp….

The camp was conducted in cooperation with Asha Emergency Hospital, in Sattupalli, Khammam District.  Dr. M. D. Vijay Kumar from Asha Emergency organized the camp and this is his third.  On that day, 261 women and 238 men, were screened for eye related problem, and found that 100 women and 91 men needed cataract surgeries.  They were then taken to Srikiran Institute of Ophthalmology to perform those surgeries.

MSMF – June 18, 2006

 

]]> Welcome tag:msmf.ca,2006:/blog//1.1 2006-04-15T18:05:55Z 2006-07-15T02:27:27Z Welcome to Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation (MSMF) Blog. MSMF, a registered Canadian charitable organization, is aiming to promote rural community development in India, through education and vocational training, health care and emergency relief. The goal of this blog is to... msmf Welcome to Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation (MSMF) Blog.

MSMF, a registered Canadian charitable organization, is aiming to promote rural community development in India, through education and vocational training, health care and emergency relief.

The goal of this blog is to share the latest happenings at MSMF. We'll also comment on the latest trends and news from the experts; share the guest visits, and much more.

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