It was time to recall, honour and add value to the
contribution of two dedicated doctors to the cause of pediatric ophthalmology
and make their effort more meaningful and far reaching. The Xth Nagamani
Dharmapuri Endowment Lecture was held at the Sri VD Swami Auditorium on the
24th of January 2013 to fulfill precisely these objectives. Speakers recalled
the concern and dedication of world renowned neo- natology expert Dr Vidyasagar
Dharmapuri and his wife Dr. Nagamani Dharmapuri, a world renowned pediatric
cardiologist in whose name the Endowment was instituted by him to the field of
pediatric ophthalmology.
The function started with a melodious invocation by
Dr S.Meenakshi, Director, Academics following which Dr Sumitha Agarkar, Deputy
Director, Squint and pediatric ophthalmology Department gave an interesting
account of the expanding and exciting scope of pediatric ophthalmology and how
it came into prominence rather belatedly, she recalled the long association
between Dr Vidyasagar Dharmapuri and Dr SS.Badrinath and the role of the
Endowment lectures held annually in furthering the cause of pediatric
ophthalmology. Speaking on the occasion Dr Sandeep Mark Thirumalai, Consultant,
General Ophthalmology traced the genesis of the pediatric ophthalmology
department, citing it as the brainchild of Dr SS.Badrinath on whose request Dr
T.S Surendran, Vice-Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya single handedly started and
nurtured this specialty department until he was joined by a team of specialists
in the field. The guest of honour of the day Dr. T. Janardhana Rao, former
Honorary. Consul General of India
in Melbourne, an old friend of Sankara Nethralaya was introduced by Dr Kavitha
Kalaivani, Consultant, Squint and pediatric department; she gave a detailed
account of his achievements, high positions held and for having been the voice
of India in Australia
Delivering the Guest of Honour address Dr
Janardhana Rao emphasized that the huge number of patients being screened and
treated everyday at Sankara Nethralaya gives it an unmatched clinical
expertise, which it could share with the West for the great benefit of medical
science. This was followed by a most interesting Chief guest’s address by
Professor Frank Martin, Visiting Ophthalmologist at the Children’s Hospital at
West Mead, Sydney, he emphasized that concern, love and care were paramount to
the success of pediatric ophthalmology as the doctors were dealing with
children, a quality he demonstrated in abundance by sharing the case histories
of more than a score patients whom he had been treating since their childhood
and continues to be in touch well after they have become parents.
The function ended with a warm Vote of Thanks by Dr
Mohan Rajan, Head of the Rajan Eye care Hospitals.
