Kolkata : The state of West Bengal witnessed a landmark event today with the inauguration of the “SankaraNethralaya Elite School of Optometry” (SNESO) in Kolkata. The grand event took place at the Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residencies on August 24, 2024. The Honorable Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Shri Biman Banerjee, inaugurated the college. The event was honored by the presence of Shri Narayan Swaroop Nigam, Health Secretary, Government of West Bengal; Shri Dr.ParthaPratimLahiri, Registrar, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology; and Shri Basudeb Banerjee, Former Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal.
Dr. T. S. Surendran, Chairman of the Medical Research Foundation, the umbrella unit under which the new college will operate, remarked, “Almost 40 years ago, on September 17, 1985, the Elite School of Optometry (ESO) was established in Chennai as the first modern school of optometry in India to offer a four-year professional degree program. The vision of the great founder of SankaraNethralaya, Padma Bhushan Late Dr. S. S. Badrinath, has made the Elite School of Optometry a testament to excellence in optometric education, research, clinical practice, and community outreach. Building on this strong foundation, ESO has now opened its first branch in Kolkata.”
Dr. Girish S. Rao, President of the Medical Research Foundation, emphasized, “The establishment of the SankaraNethralaya Elite School of Optometry addresses the eye health needs of West Bengal, where approximately 1.66% of the population suffers from blindness. To meet this significant need and provide comprehensive eye care, it is crucial to have professionally trained optometrists in the state.”
Dr. N. Anuradha, Principal of the SankaraNethralaya Elite School of Optometry, added, “This city first saw an optometry diploma program in 1927. The Elite School of Optometry in Chennai has made significant contributions to the field of optometry, including developing a customized curriculum from the University of California, Berkeley, pioneering undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs, advocating for the regulation of the profession, hosting India’s first international optometry and vision science conference, and publishing nearly 200 indexed research articles. Nearly a century later, this new SankaraNethralaya Elite School of Optometry in Kolkata will uphold the same high standards of academic quality, clinical exposure, and research rigor. SNESO will offer 30 seats for the Bachelor of Optometry programme from the current academic year in its NewTown, Kolkata campus”
Dr.Smita Praveen, Director of Academics, stated, “Over the years, this institution will proudly recount the achievements of its distinguished alumni and their contributions to eye health both in India and abroad.”
Dr. Sujatha Guha, Medical Director of SankaraNethralaya Kolkata, noted, “The faculty of ESO has been instrumental in developing the model curriculum for optometry, setting best practice standards, and raising awareness as key national task force members. This expertise will be applied to benefit the students of SNESO, with the management of MRF providing strong support to maintain these high standards.”
Other key attendees included Dr.Rupak Roy, Deputy Medical Director; Dr.Suchetna Mukherjee, Deputy Director, SankaraNethralaya Kolkata; board members of the Medical Research Foundation; well-wishers of the SankaraNethralaya family; representatives of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal; optometry schools of the state; and staff and students of the organization.
