Aravind hospital’s dedication, service to people the only reason for Padma Shri award, says Natchiar

“Our dedication and service to the poor and the downtrodden since the hospital’s inception in 1976 have got me the most prestigious award in the country– the Padma Shri,” said G. Natchiar, one of the founding-members and Director-Emeritus of the Aravind Eye Care system. Speaking about the community camps through which the hospital reached the masses, she said, “We are undertaking the community camps very religiously which helped us reach many rural people through which we learnt about various medical complications people were suffering from.” While on those day, people did not have many eye-related problems, now people especially younger ones, due to the over usage of mobile phones and improper diets, suffer from various complications, she added. “As both late G. Venkataswamy, the founder, and P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman-Emeritus, were honoured with Padma Shri, the third award conferred on me would instil belief in people about our quality service,” said Dr. Natchiar. “In addition to the service we provide in our country, the Aravind Eye Care System also trains doctors from other underdeveloping countries, who would, in turn, treat their people,” she added.