HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh and veteran playback singer Vani Jayaram were honoured with the ‘Sankara Ratna’ and Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi awards by Sankara Nethralaya here on Saturday.
The awards were presented by Larsen and Toubro chairman A. M. Naik.
“HDFC and Sankara Nethralaya were started in the same year, 40 years ago. While our purpose was to help an individual buy his dream house during his work life, Sankara Nethralaya was started with a vision to provide solution to blindness, which is one of the key problems faced by India,” Mr. Parekh said in his acceptance speech.
Ms. Vani Jayaram said she was honoured to be chosen for the award, and recalled her association with M.S. Subbulakshmi.
Mr. Naik recalled that 30 years ago he met Dr. Badrinath, Chairman Emertius of Sankara Nethralaya, for an eye problem and was impressed by him. “From there on, our relationship has grown stronger,” he said.
The L&T chairman said his foundation was looking to build a hospital in Gujarat in association with Sankara Nethralaya.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Badrinath said Sankara Nethralaya was looking at using emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence in the future.
The B.R. Barwale Center for Ophthalmic Technology & Innovation was launched to explore emerging and digital technologies, he said.
