What is Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust, Inc. and what is its connection to Sankara Nethralaya of Chennai, India?
Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust is a non-profit tax-exempt organization (Tax ID # 52-1611548), established in 1988 in the US with the sole objective of providing financial assistance to Sankara Nethralaya , a non-profit, non-commercial, eye care institution founded in 1978, in Chennai, India.
Since Sankara Nethralaya entertains paying patients, why seek donations?
Sankara Nethralaya examines around 1,500 patients and performs around 125 surgeries every day. About 50 % of the out-patient department and 35 % of the surgeries are done free of cost to the underprivileged at the main hospital in Chennai. The criteria for free services require the patient's monthly income to not exceed Rs. 3,500 (at the current rate, $73). The fee levied by Sankara Nethralaya, is set only to meet the cost of treatment of paying patients and the free services rendered to the poor, by way of outpatient consultations and required treatments. Donations, therefore, are necessary for the efficient running of the hospital, to cater to demands of both the haves and have-nots, update facilities, to render state-of-the-art quality eye care to all, educate and to train medicals and paramedical personnel.
The three major thrust areas of Sankara Nethralaya are:
- Providing a single standard quality eye care to the rich and the poor alike.
- Continue training and education to medical and paramedicals at UG, PG and Doctoral levels.
- Conduct research, basic (Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Genetics) and clinical on various complicated Ophthalmic diseases
Is Sankara Nethralaya connected or associated to/with any other organization(s)?
- Sri Ganapathi Nethralaya at Jalna, Maharashtra
- Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya at Guwahati, Assam
- Sankara Nethralaya at Bangalore
- Sankara Nethralaya at Kolkata
- Sri Srinivasa Sankara Nethralaya at Tirupathi (AP)
Sankara Nethralaya has built an enduring relationship in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Institutions
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India (Grants for basic science vision research) Department of Science & Technology (DST), India, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore (Collaboration in services, education and research)
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, SAR, China (Collaboration in services, education and research)
- SASTRA University Thanjavur,
- INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EYE HEALTH, London.
- University of Yokohama, Japan (Research in Uveitis)
- Lions Club International Foundation, USA (Support for Community service and research)
- World Diabetes Foundation,
- Denmark Jamsetji Tata Trust, Mumbai,
- Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., USA
- Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, Malaysia (Installation of Hospital Management Information System)
- ORBIS International, USA
- Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad
- Deakin University, Melbourne
- University of Missouri, Columbia
- Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, London
What are the various donation schemes presently in Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust?
Some of the donation schemes presently in vogue are:
For detailed information on donation schemes, you may contact Mr. S.V. Acharya, Treasurer Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust at (301) 251-0378 or e-mail him at acharya@omtrust.org Alternatively, you may also contact Dr. S. S. Badrinath, Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya at 91-44-28271616 or e-mail him at: chem@snmail.org
Are donations to Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust tax deductible?
Yes. All the donations made in the United States in US dollars are tax deductible. The acknowledgement sent by Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust is sufficient to claim tax deductions for the donation made by you.
Should I have some Rupee resources in India, can I donate in Indian Rupees and yet enjoy the tax deduction?
While Sankara Nethralaya will be pleased to accept your donations in Indian Rupee and utilize for purposes as designated by you, these donations are not tax deductible under the US Internal Revenue Service regulations.
How is Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust managed ?
Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust is managed by a Board of 15 trustees. They are based in the United States and in India. All our Trustees are doing voluntary service and do not receive any compensation for rendering their services for this noble cause.
Does Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust participate in employer gift matching program?
Yes. Please forward your check with the related matching program papers to our Treasurer at: Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust Inc., 9710 Traville Gateway Drive,No. 392, Rockville, MD 20850. He will forward the forms duly completed to the Gift Matching Office of your employer.
Does Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust participate in the United Way Campaign?
Yes, please furnish your employer with the following details of Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust also designating your donations.
Recipient organization: Ophthalmic Mission Trust, Inc.
Tax ID No.: 52-1611548
Organizaton status: 501 (c) (3)
Organization address: 9710 Traville Gateway Drive, No. 392
Rockville, MD 20850
Contact: Mr. S. V. Acharya, Treasurer,
Tel No : (301) 251-0378,
e-mail id :acharya@omtrust.org
They will work with United Way organization and arrange to remit the proceeds to us.
What is the Annual Complimentary Courtesy Master Eye Check Up?
Many of Sankara Nethralaya’s well wishers have expressed their desire for their parents, parents-in-law, elderly relatives living in Chennai and other places in India to get Annual Master Eye Check Up done at Sankara Nethralaya. Some of them have even expressed a desire to have the Annual Master Eye Check Up for them or their parents etc living abroad when they come to India for their vacation. The Annual Complimentary Courtesy Master Eye Check Up includes:
• Pick up from the residence in Chennai.
• Performing comprehensive Master Eye Check Up in our hospital.
• Individuals will be dropped back at their residence.
• Subject to the patients’ approval, their medical results will be shared via e-mail with their dear ones abroad.
Can I transfer my appreciated stocks?
Yes. Please transfer to account number 6820 1269 with Charles Schwab & Co. (800-435-8000). You will be eligible to deduct the value of the stocks for tax purposes.
Can I will my assets/properties to Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust/Nethralaya?
Yes. Please contact Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust Hony. Treasurer by mailing to acharya@omtrust.org or Dr. S S Badrinath Chairman Sankara Nethralaya mailing to chem@snmail.org in this regard.
Should I require any other Information / Clarification ?
For any other information/clarification you may want, any of the following trustees would be pleased to respond to you. Send your mail or please call
Shankar Iyer, President (571) 432-5333
e-mail id: sai@omtrust.org
K G Venkataraman, Secretary (301) 646-1232
e-mail id: kvenkatram@aol.com
S.V.Acharya, Treasurer (301) 251-0378
e-mail id: acharya@omtrust.org
