On January 21, 2026, the Shah Family Foundation and the Sankurathri Foundation marked an important milestone in their shared commitment to expanding access to healthcare for underserved communities with the inauguration of the Srikiran–Shah Family Pediatric Eye Care Centre in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Vision:
The Shah Family Foundation’s relationship with the Sankurathri Foundation began in 2023 through its Canadian partner, the Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation. The partnership first took shape through a scholarship program designed to support girls graduating from the Sankurathri Foundation’s Sarada Vidyalayam school. Each year, the program provides financial assistance to thirty students to continue their education beyond grade 10, with ten students receiving support for the full four to five years required to complete college or vocational training. The initiative focuses on high-achieving students who demonstrate strong academic potential but face financial barriers to pursuing further education.
From Shared Vision to Transformative Action:
Dr. Chandra Sankurathri, founder of the Sankurathri Foundation, shared his vision to establish a dedicated pediatric eye care facility in Kakinada to address the growing need for early diagnosis, intervention, and treatment for children in the region. The proposed center would expand the work of the existing Srikiran Eye Hospital, creating a dedicated space focused on pediatric care. Recognizing the transformative impact such a facility could have for children and families, the Shah Family Foundation committed in 2024 to fully fund the construction of the pediatric center, along with its first year of operating expenses. The partnership reflects a shared belief that every child deserves access to timely, high-quality eye care.
A Shared Journey Toward Brighter Futures:
The inauguration marks an important milestone in the Shah Family Foundation’s efforts to reduce inequities in healthcare. Representing the Foundation, Siva Sinnathamby, Head of Finance, travelled to Kakinada to attend the ceremony and deliver remarks on behalf of the Shah Family and the Foundation’s President, Kris Shah. The visit provided an opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of the Foundation’s partnership with the Sankurathri Foundation.
During the ceremony, four scholarship students shared their stories and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support they have received. They spoke about how the scholarship program will transform their lives and open doors they never imagined possible. The headmistress of Sarada Vidyalayam also guided the visit through the school, where the dedication and passion of the educators working to uplift children affected by poverty through education was deeply inspiring. The experience reinforced the importance of investing in learning environments that empower young people with confidence and opportunity.
The visit also included a tour of the Srikiran Eye Hospital, where we witnessed the scale of the organization’s commitment to eliminating avoidable blindness. According to the hospital’s medical director, the facility has treated more than four million patients and performed over 350,000 surgeries, with approximately 90 percent provided free of charge. In addition, the hospital has trained more than 150 ophthalmologists, extending its impact far beyond the region. The establishment of the dedicated pediatric eye care centre will further strengthen this work, ensuring that children receive timely, life-changing eye care for generations to come.
The Shah Family Foundation believes strongly in partnerships that are locally grounded and impact-driven. It is our hope that the Srikiran–Shah Family Pediatric Eye Care Centre will serve as a model for how philanthropy and local leadership can work together to create meaningful and lasting change.
