EYE HEALTH FIELD WORKERS TRAINING PROGRAMME
LAICO, July 1-20
A total of 15 members participated in the Field worker Module-2 Training Programme. The main objectives of the training Programme
  - To strength the field workers in rehabilitation for the visually impaired
  - To refresh the field workers in the training Programme conducted before
  - To understand the Govt Schemes available for the visually impaired

There are various training programmes conducted for the field workers:
Orientation & Mobility training Programme was conducted at the Kalugarkadai village and Ulavar chandhai to the trainees for 10 days. Daily living skills training programmes like shaving, washing clothes etc was conducted at the natural home set up. To understand Educational rehabilitation concept the trainees were taken to Indian Association for the Blind (Special school), St.Mary’s Primary School (Integrated education), Vadipatti primary School (Inclusive education). Vocational rehabilitation was conducted in the Auroform like agricultural activities, animal husbandry in cattle shelter. Making house hold things like soap oil, agarbathi making etc was done under blindfold. At last Guest Lectures was conducted in the training programme under the topics of
  - Government schemes & concessions available for visually impaired
  - Inclusive education
  - Animal Husbandry

CME ON CURRENT PRACTICES IN GLAUCOMA
Aravind-Tirunelveli, July 21-22
A two day CME on Current Practices in Glaucoma was held at Aravind-Tirunelveli from July 21-22 under the guidance of Dr.R.Ramakrishnan, CMO. The main purpose of this CME was to get familiarized with the changes and to get update. Ophthalmologists representing various States of our country, Postgraduates and Fellows, Trainees from Aravind Eye Hospital attended the CME. Experts who are richly experienced in practical management of Glaucoma were invited as Faculty members to discuss the recent advances and developments at a great length.
      The inaugural function commenced with prayer song. Dr. G.R. Reddy lighted the kuthuvillaku. Dr. Vinay Nangia, Dr. Velayutham, and Dr. Devendra Sood participated in the function.

MS. GOWRI PRIYA SUBMITS HER THESIS
AMRF, July 11
Ms. Gowri Priya Chidambaranathan had registered for Ph.D in Bio-Medical Science at Madurai Kamaraj University in November 2002. She worked under the guidance of Dr.VR.Muthukkaruppan, PhD Guide & Director – Research, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. She has completed her work and submitted the thesis on “Aetiology and Pathogenic Mechanism of Uveitis associated with Leptospirosis” in November 2006 at the university.

MLOP RETREAT
Dhan Foundation, July 6-7
MLOP Retreat was held at the ‘Dhan Foundation’ near Chozhavandhan for the MLOPs to provide a casual, stimulating and refreshing experience. The retreat was attended by MLOPs from all departments of all Aravind Eye Hospitals. The group also included the HR team from all the AEHs as well as the Nursing Superintendents. It was conducted to get a sense of the MLOPs expectations and desires and their suggestions to make Aravind an employer of choice as well as a more efficient workplace. On July 7, 2007 the group was joined by the Ophthalmologist in charge of MLOPs- Dr Usha, Dr Veena and Dr Meenakshi. They listened to their recommendation and provided their inputs on how this can be translated into reality. The MLOPs felt this forum gave them a unique opportunity and they look forward to their suggestions getting implemented as well as for this Retreat to become an annual feature.

RAHUL GANDHI SPENDS AN EVENING WITH AMETHI HOSPITAL STAFF
Amethi, July 27
Amidst the busy political schedules Mr. Rahul Gandhi found time to call for a dinner with the IGEHRC staff. He reached the guest house around 8.00pm after his day long travel through his constituency. There was a crowd of 60 to 70 people awaiting him excluding the officials from the near by areas. He finished all his pre-occupancies and joined us for the meeting at 9.00pm along with Mr. Kanishka Singh, Mr. Manoj Muttu, Mr. Sachin and Ms. Vijaya Moorti which was followed by dinner. All the doctors and staff of IGEHRC were present. It was the request from Mr. Rahul Gandhi that he wanted all the support staff also to be present for the dinner... (more)

USA, July 15- August 5
Ms. Veni, Administrator, LAICO visited USA from July 15-August 5. The main purpose of this trip was to visit various universities and get exposure in administration with special focus to planning, marketing, organizing, and evaluating the regular executive training programmes and CME programmes offered at Aravind.

Strategic Perspective in Non profit Management
Harvard University, Boston, July 15-21
Ms. Veni attended a weeklong course on “Strategic Perspectives in Non profit Management” at Harvard Business School. A total of 140 candidates participated from various non profit sectors. 72% of the participants were from the United States and the rest were from other countries.
      Ms. Veni visited Michigan University and Chelsea Hospital in USA from July 22-28. There she had discussions with Mr. Ron Bendersky, Executive Director of Executive Education Programme, and Dr. Van Harrison, Director, Department of Medical Education. She visited Chelsea Hospital and met Ms. Cindy Harrison and other department heads.
      In California Ms. Veni visited Stanford University, Berkeley University and Seva office from July 29-August 5. At Berkeley, she visited the Optometry and Health Science Library, Hass Business School at University of Berkeley and the International Housing facilities. She also had the opportunity to visit the Programme office of AAO, Google Campus and Seva Office. At the end of her visit, she went to the Stanford University and met with the Programme team of Student Data Base, the Executive Education Programme team and the Public Management Programme team. Ms. Veni had a brief tour of all the Universities to observe the class room facilities, technology used and its administrative functions and had the opportunity to meet the concerned department seniors and discuss about their concerned activities and challenges related to the education and training activities.