July12, 2008
Fairs and festivals are celebrated to mark an important event in the name of God or Nation. But the management of Aravind Eye Care System celebrated a function to appreciate and thank the employees with out whose relentless and devoted service, AECS would not have attained international fame by getting awards like Champalimaud Vision Award last year and Gates Award for Global Health this year.
Doctors and employees converged in the open area of the quarters. All employees came in festive attire with full of enthusiasm and pride for having achieved this prestigious award.
The program started with invocation by the staff. Dr. V. Narendran, Chief Medical Officer, welcomed the gathering. Dr. G. Natchiar, Vice Chairman, Aravind Eye Care System spoke about the significance of the award. She briefed the journey of AECS from 1976 with 11 bedded hospital at Madurai to five hospitals with 3600 bed capacity. Significance of the evening was to celebrate the achievement, acknowledgement of the donors and recognize the support rendered by the community. She dedicated the award to all the employees of AECS.
Staff were very much moved when Dr. G. Natchiar expressed “If I have next birth I want to be born here and serve with you”. She gave her first salute to the housekeeping and cleaning department for their contribution to keeping the hospital very clean. This award is recognition of the success of MLOP service because they are the backbones of our hospital. She acknowledged and appreciated all the doctors and other staff for their contributions and with out them it might not have been possible to get this award.
Dr. B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, Chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore Kendra in his guest address admired Aravind’s teamwork and their interest and involvement shown toward their work. He congratulated all the staff for their contributions to get this award. He added the award became meaningful by giving to the right institution, Aravind Eye Care System. He was also happy to mention that AECS was following the mission of eliminating needless blindness.
All staff and employees feel proud of being a part of Aravind because it has helped them to grow personally and professionally as fine people. The Video clipping of Dr. Allen Foster’s inspiring speech made the staff feel motivated to be part of AECS.
A skit that demonstrated staff’s feelings about the Gates award was staged. A security guard said that he was mainly responsible for the award since he was looking after the main gate. An MLOP, who acted as a patient, shared her experience in Tirunelveli slang and got big applause from the audience. The way each one of the staff taking ownership of the award, added value to the function.
Dr. Raghuram and Dr.Padma were the Masters of ceremony. Dr. Kirubha Evangeline proposed vote of thanks. The acknowledgment and inspiring speeches motivated all the employees to feel as one. The event came to an end with a sumptuous dinner.