By Moderator
A two day partner meet on Nov 24th and 25th was organized by Sightsavers for all its partners at Sankar Foundation, Visakhapatanam, Andhra Pradesh.
Mr Arun Karidehal, CEO-Sankar Foundation welcoming the guests.
The function was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest Mr. U. Shankara iah (Joint Director, NPCB) and Ms. Geetha Prasadini (Add. Director, Communicable Diseases and IDSP) alongwith Shankar Rao (Founder of Sankar Foundation).
Ms Shanti Raghavan (Founder -Enable India, Bangalore) felicitated by Mr Shrinivas Sawant for being chosen for the National Award (2010) under "Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities" category.
Dr Kaushik Murali (SKKMT Bangalore) felicitated by Ms Geetha Prasadini for reciving FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards 2009.
Felicitation by Mr Murthy (Additional Director - Dept Social Welfare) for Partners winning NCPEDP Mphasis Universal Design Awards-2010. Ms Neha Trivedi (XRCVC, Mumbai) on behalf of Dr Sam Taraporewala under persons with disability who have created an impact in accessibility and universal design. Proj M S Raju (Vision Aid, Vizag) for professionals working for the cause of accessibility and universal design.r
Mr Shrinivas Sawant and Mr Shankar Rao (Founder-Sankar Foundation) having hearty laugh while appreciating the chosen gift.
43 participants from five states.
Social evening at terrace garden of Hotel Daspalla Executive Court, Vizag.
Poster exhibited by Jan Kalyan Samakhya (JKS) depicting vision centres as a first helping hand for community
Exhibition by a DPO formed under ORRC (Vizag Network) for marketing phenols, candles and fertilizers.
NAB Karnataka exhibiting their work on IE in Gulbarga.
Dr Tushar Yarmal (SIAO) giving feedback on a session.
Mr Sabitra Kundu beautifully hosted the session on both the days.
Bidding farewell to my Vizag Partners (ORRC, JKS, TARA)
Vibrant group busy in discussion on challenges faced during implementation of education projects.
Ms Supriya (Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai) showing the group photograph. The MEC team from Lotus and KBHS stayed back for two more days to see the vision centres of Vizag Network.
Ms Shrinivas Sawant looking at CTRD Trust's (The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu) where they have consituted 30 self help groups of 200 PWDs including 52 visually impaired persons. These SHGs are formed under Mahillir Thittam Scheme of state government. This has been possible due to the new Sightsavers supported advocacy project called SNEHA Project (Strengthening Network for Eye Health and Advocacy)
Dr Athar Qureshi (Project Manager-MEC) and Mr Deepak Lalge (KBHB, Mumbai) taking tips from a sustainable vision centre of Vizag Network.
Mr Shrinivas Sawant and Mr Shankar Rao (Founder-Sankar Foundation) having hearty laugh while appreciating the chosen gift.
43 participants from five states.
Social evening at terrace garden of Hotel Daspalla Executive Court, Vizag.
Poster exhibited by Jan Kalyan Samakhya (JKS) depicting vision centres as a first helping hand for community
Exhibition by a DPO formed under ORRC (Vizag Network) for marketing phenols, candles and fertilizers. 
NAB Karnataka exhibiting their work on IE in Gulbarga.
Dr Tushar Yarmal (SIAO) giving feedback on a session.
Mr Sabitra Kundu beautifully hosted the session on both the days.
Bidding farewell to my Vizag Partners (ORRC, JKS, TARA)
Vibrant group busy in discussion on challenges faced during implementation of education projects.
Ms Supriya (Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai) showing the group photograph. The MEC team from Lotus and KBHS stayed back for two more days to see the vision centres of Vizag Network.
Ms Shrinivas Sawant looking at CTRD Trust's (The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu) where they have consituted 30 self help groups of 200 PWDs including 52 visually impaired persons. These SHGs are formed under Mahillir Thittam Scheme of state government. This has been possible due to the new Sightsavers supported advocacy project called SNEHA Project (Strengthening Network for Eye Health and Advocacy)
What's cooking here ! Mr Prabhat Sinha and Mr Ketan Kothari won accolades for their session on Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) on day 2 of the meeting. The participants were bowled over by the advocacy milestons achieved in Rajasthan. To complement, Mr Ketan's speech on Right to Education came as an eye opener for many of the participants.
The lush green scenic grasses over Vizag when Mumbai Eye Care Campaign Team took lessons from JKS and ORRC vision centres. The Vizag vision centres have been supported by Sightsavers and have become sustainable in two years since their establishment.
Dr Athar Qureshi (Project Manager-MEC) and Mr Deepak Lalge (KBHB, Mumbai) taking tips from a sustainable vision centre of Vizag Network. This was the first time when SIAO conducted partner's meet away from Mumbai.
The next SIAO partner's meet will be organized in Bangalore.
