Editorial November 2016

Dear Friends,

Happy 40th Birthday to you and every member of our Aravind family! Dr. V’s words of hope and humility ring true today, just as they did in 1976.

Aravind is well-known for many things – unparalleled efficiency, extraordinary volumes, high quality outcomes — the Harvard business case, taught throughout the world, holds Aravind up as the model of successful social enterprise. Since Dr. V started with 11 beds in Madurai, India, we have treated 48 million patients, with better results and at a fraction of the cost of US and UK eye hospitals. No wonder Aravind has been called the McDonald’s of eye care.

But it is all possible because of an unexpected ingredient — compassion. The urgency to eliminate unnecessary blindness and end this form of human suffering drives all of the numbers.

At the heart of the Aravind Model is a recognition of the inherent dignity and respect due to each human being, regardless of their wealth, education, or station in life. At Aravind, we believe everyone deserves to see – and to be seen.

As we celebrate 40 years of service, another quote from Dr. V comes to mind. “When we grow in spiritual consciousness, we identify ourselves with all that is in the world. So there is no exploitation. It is ourselves we are helping. It is ourselves we are healing.”

Thank you for sharing Dr. V’s vision and journey.

Warmest regards, 
The Board of Aravind Eye Foundation