Awardees

Citation

Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao is the rare case of a highly successful NRI in the US who returned to India in the prime of his career to serve his country.

He founded the L.V Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad in 1987. Conceived as not-for-profit, comprehensive eye care facility, its motto was ‘The Three Es – Equity, Efficiency and Excellence’. Its aim was to provide eye care to everyone – free for those who could not afford the cost. Going beyond this objective, the L.V Prasad Eye Institute has also helped several of its most disadvantaged patients in their post-recovery empowerment.

Thanks to Dr. Rao’s vision and dedication, the Institute has succeeded beyond every expectations. Its rural eye care programme covers the most neglected segments of society through its 140 units in rural and tribal locations in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Karnataka. In addition the Institute also works with over 150 other eye hospitals across India, as well as in Asian and African countries.

More recently, the L.V Prasad Eye Institute became the only institute in the world to perform over 2000 cornea transplants in a year. The Institute has performed 24,000 cornea transplants since its inception – yet another milestone for Dr. Rao and his Institute.

Dr. Rao has justly won international renown for his work through academic honours and innumerable awards. He played a pivotal role in the adoption of the Right to Sight by the World Health Organization.

The Trustees of Yudhvir Foundation feel greatly honoured in conferring its 26th annual award on Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao for his matchless services in restoring and improving sight to over 2 crore individuals across the world.

We wish him continued success in his noble mission, and every personal happiness.