The Sankara Ratna Award was presented on September 28th to Sri V. Shankar, Trustee of the South Indian Education Society (SIES), Mumbai, in recognition of his distinguished service and support to the cause of Sankara Nethralaya.

Sri Shankar was chosen for this award for his dedication to education, his philosophy, humility, compassion, and readiness to support noble causes. Through his role at SIES, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of education, and his alignment with Sankara Nethralaya’s values further highlights his commitment to societal welfare.

In 2003, Shri Ratan Tata was honored with the Sankara Ratna Award in recognition of his remarkable contributions to Sankara Nethralaya.

Shri Ratan Tata’s support and commitment have helped in advancing Sankara Nethralaya’s mission of delivering quality eye care. Among his notable contributions is the establishment of the Shri Ratan Tata Fellowship Program, which has significantly strengthened the institution’s efforts to nurture talent and drive impactful advancements in ophthalmology.

The Sankara Ratna Award 2004 was presented to Shri A. M. Naik, Chairman and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in recognition of his outstanding support and distinguished service to the cause and philosophy of Sankara Nethralaya. The award was handed over by His Excellency Shri Surjit Singh Barnala, the then Governor of Tamil Nadu, at a function held on February 19, 2005, at the KRS Auditorium, Meenakshi College for Women, Kodambakkam, Chennai.

Shri A. M. Naik has been a pivotal figure in supporting various community welfare initiatives, notably through L&T’s VIKAS (Village Improvement Know-how and Skills) program. Additionally, L&T operates a health centre in Mumbai offering immunization, family welfare services, and a free TB clinic for the community. Under his leadership, L&T made a significant contribution of Rs. 2 million to support the Ocular Pathology Department at Sankara Nethralaya. Mr. Naik's involvement in Sankara Nethralaya’s growth includes contributions to various facilities, such as the operation theatre complex inaugurated in 1982, the Elite School of Optometry, and several blocks named in honor of donors.

Shri S.V. Acharya was conferred with the Sankara Ratna Award for his outstanding and dedicated work in support of Sankara Nethralaya through the Sankara Nethralaya Ophthalmic Mission Trust (SNOMT), USA. The award was instituted to recognize individuals or institutions that contribute significantly to Sankara Nethralaya’s cause.

Shri Acharya, a distinguished professional, served in various senior positions in the U.S. Federal Government, including overseeing Budgetary Operations at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. He had also held roles such as Fiscal Administrator for the State of Maryland and Director of Accounting Operations for the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C. He was recognized with prestigious awards like the “Distinguished Service Award” from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the “Meritorious Service Award” from the State of Maryland.

In 1988, Shri Acharya founded the Sankara Nethralaya Ophthalmic Mission Trust (now called SN USA) with the goal of spreading awareness about Sankara Nethralaya’s work in the U.S. His tireless efforts, which included organizing events and raising funds, helped create significant awareness among the Indian diaspora in the United States.

In 2006, the Sankara Ratna Award was conferred upon Dr. G Madhavan Nair, the then Chairman of ISRO, by the then Union Finance Minister Mr. P Chidambaram. Dr. Nair was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of space technology and his pivotal role in advancing the telemedicine facility developed through the collaboration between ISRO and Sankara Nethralaya. This initiative has helped screen over two lakh people in rural India, revolutionizing rural healthcare with ISRO’s cutting-edge technology.

Dr. G Madhavan Nair, a leading technologist in space research, has been instrumental in the success of ISRO and the country’s achievements in space exploration. At the time of receiving the award, he served as the Chairman of ISRO and the Secretary of the Department of Space, Government of India. He has made significant contributions to India's space programs, including leading the successful commercial launch of an Italian satellite. His personal sacrifices and leadership in the space sector were highlighted by Mr. P Chidambaram during the award presentation.

On August 16, 2009, Shri Hanuman Prasad Agarwala was honored with the Sankara Ratna Award for his exceptional support and distinguished services to Sankara Nethralaya. The award was presented by Chief Guest Swami Prabhananda Ji, the General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Belur.

Shri Agarwala’s significant contributions to Sankara Nethralaya, particularly in supporting its mission and growth, earned him this prestigious recognition. His efforts in advancing the institution's objectives have been invaluable, and his dedication to its cause made him a deserving recipient of the Sankara Ratna Award. The event in Kolkata was attended by senior members of Sankara Nethralaya, including Dr. S.S. Badrinath (Chairman Emeritus), Shri V. Vaidhyanathan (Chairman), Dr. K.S. Vasan (Managing Director), Dr. Lingam Gopal (Director of Research, VRF), and Dr. Sujata Guha (Medical Director), as well as Shri Agarwala’s family and other distinguished guests.

On October 29, 2011, Sankara Nethralaya held the Sankara Ratna Award ceremony at AVM Rajeswari Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai. The award was conferred upon Shri S.P. Muthuraman, a veteran film director who had made significant contributions to both the world of cinema and to Sankara Nethralaya. His long-standing association with the institution made him a fitting recipient of this prestigious recognition.

His contributions to Sankara Nethralaya went beyond mere support; he became a key figure in promoting its mission of serving the underprivileged. The award was presented by Dr. S. Bhaskaran, the then Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, with Shri R.M. Veerappan serving as the Chief Guest for the event.

In a surprising turn, Superstar Rajinikanth made a special appearance to honor his long-time mentor, Shri Muthuraman, highlighting their close personal and professional bond.

The Sankara Ratna Award was conferred on Shri M.S. Jayaraman and Dr. T.V. Subramanian on September 6, 2013, during Sankara Nethralaya’s 35th Foundation Day celebrations. The award was presented by His Excellency Shri K. Rosaiah, the then Governor of Tamil Nadu, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to enhancing the institution's quality initiatives.

Shri M.S. Jayaraman and Dr. T.V. Subramanian, referred to as the “quality gurus,” brought their expertise and dedication to Sankara Nethralaya, ensuring that the institution’s operations met the highest standards of excellence. Dr. T.V. Subramanian, who also received the award on behalf of Shri. M. S. Jayaraman, expressed profound gratitude.

The Sankara Ratna Award was conferred on Shri V.V. Ranganathan on September 6, 2014, during the 37th anniversary of Sankara Nethralaya. The award was presented by Shri Bharath Joshi, British Deputy High Commissioner to Chennai, in recognition of Shri Ranganathan’s contributions to social welfare and his dedicated support to the institution’s mission.

Shri V.V. Ranganathan was honored for his exceptional charitable work, particularly the Sai Annalakshmi Scheme, which provides meals to the underprivileged. He also authored the book Insight, chronicling the journey of Sankara Nethralaya and the individuals who played a pivotal role in its growth.

A philanthropist and ardent supporter of Sankara Nethralaya, Shri V.V. Ranganathan exemplifies a spirit of service and dedication to societal well-being, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor.

The Sankara Ratna Award was conferred on Shri Deepak Parekh, a stalwart in Indian banking and corporate governance, on January 27, 2018, at Rajendra Hall, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. The award was presented by Dr. S. S. Badrinath, Founder, Sankara Nethralaya, in the presence of distinguished guests.

Shri Deepak Parekh has been a guiding force in corporate philanthropy, advocating for accountability, transparency, and giving back to society. His support for healthcare and education aligns with Sankara Nethralaya's mission to serve the underprivileged.

As the Chairman of HDFC, Shri Parekh has transformed the organization into a financial powerhouse while championing causes of social significance. One of the most notable contributions was enabling Sankara Nethralaya’s acquisition of the erstwhile Lady Willingdon Hospital through a generous loan approval during a critical phase.

Sankara Nethralaya presented the Sankara Ratna Award for 2023 to Mr. Bala Reddy Indurti, an Atlanta-based engineer and philanthropist, on May 25, 2023, at Shri V. D. Swami Auditorium, Sankara Nethralaya Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus, College Road, Chennai.

The award was presented by Mr. Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, Tamil Nadu. Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu served as the guest of honour.

Mr. Bala Reddy Indurti is an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, and the University of Texas. As the President of Sankara Nethralaya USA, he has significantly expanded its reach, increasing the number of chapters from 7 to 21 in just six years. His “Adopt a Village” initiative enables Indian expatriates to sponsor Mobile Eye Surgical Units (MESU) to deliver essential eye care to underserved communities in India.