Cricketing legend, Sunil Gavaskar,
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A celebration of impact and generosity
Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF), USA, held its annual gala on Saturday, September 6, at Santa Clara Marriott. More than 500 donors and patrons came together in an evening of inspiration, celebration, and generosity, raising over $2.3 million towards SEF’s mission to eliminate curable blindness in India.
Keynote speaker Jay Chaudhry
The gala’s $1.5 million fundraising goal was not only met but surpassed with ease, thanks in large part to a $1 million contribution from Chief Guests Jyoti and Jay Chaudhry, the CEO of Zscaler. Jay Chaudhry’s heartfelt keynote address, sharing his journey from humble beginnings to global leadership, underscored the importance of bold dreams and perseverance.
Fireside chat with Sunil Gavaskar
Adding to the evening’s excitement was cricketing legend and Guest of Honor, Sunil Gavaskar, who joined SEF, USA President and Co-Founder Sridharan Krishnamurthy in a lively fireside chat that delighted the audience. Gavaskar reminded audiences that “batting centuries are built not only on fours and sixes but also on singles and doubles. Similarly, every donation, big or small, creates a lasting impact.”
SEF USA’s upcoming Bay Area Dandia
On October 4, SEF-USA will host its annual crowd-puller Bay Area Dandia event at the Santa Clara Convention Center, a highly anticipated celebration that draws crowds of between 5,000 to 6,000 people. Early Bird tickets start at $22.
A journey of impact
Founded in 1998 in the Bay Area, SEF, USA, launched its mission by supporting a hospital in Coimbatore, performing about 8,000 free surgeries annually. Today, its network has grown to 29 hospitals across 14 Indian states, which together performed over 450,000 free eye surgeries last year.
SEF, USA’s Vision 2030 initiative, aims to provide 1 million free eye surgeries every year through a financially sustainable model where 70% of surgeries are free, and 30% are paid, ensuring long-term self-sufficiency of the hospitals.
For 14 consecutive years, SEF, USA has been awarded the top 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, placing it among the top 3% of all charities in the United States.
SEF, USA’s road ahead
Speaking at the event, SEF, USA’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Murali Krishnamurthy, said, “SEF, USA is making deep inroads into the underserved states of Bihar and West Bengal, by funding four large hospital projects, all of which will be inaugurated by 2026-27.” These are the Akhand Jyoti-Rajiv Latika Jain Eye Hospital, in rural Mastichak, Bihar (1,000 beds), Sankara Eye Hospital, Patna, Bihar (225 beds), the Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal (300 beds), and the Netaji Eye Hospital in Kolkata (90 beds).
Krishnamurthy also paid tributes to the tireless commitment of SEF USA’s volunteers, “whose careful planning and impeccable execution brought every detail together seamlessly.”
President and Co-Founder Sridharan Krishnamurthy said, “With the gala’s resounding success, SEF, USA continues to strengthen its commitment to eliminate curable blindness in India. The evening was a powerful reminder of how collective compassion can restore sight and transform lives for generations to come.”