Sankara Eye Foundation’s Be The Light Gala raises $1.4 Million

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The Sankara Eye Foundation, (giftofvision.org) held its 2nd annual Be The Light Gala at Cipriani 25 Broadway in Manhattan, New York City, October 7, 2023.

The event raised $1.4 million, with the proceeds going towards attaining SEF’s goal to eliminate curable blindness in India, organizers said in a press release.

In his speech, Mohan Wanchoo, philanthropist and Gala co-chair, emphasized the importance of SEF’s ongoing efforts to eliminate curable blindness in India.

Murali Krishnamurthy, founder, and executive chairman of SEF-USA, and also Gala co-chair, shared a personal anecdote about his recent experience undergoing eye surgery, expertly performed at one of SEF’s twelve hospitals in India.

Krishnamurthy said SEF had made remarkable achievements thus far, sharing stories of lives being transformed. He oulined SEF’s future plans: to provide one million free eye surgeries annually by 2030 and to eventually eliminate curable blindness in India entirely.

A keynote speech was given by CEO, Chairman and Founder of  Zscaler Inc., Jay Chaudhry, who recounted his journey from  humble beginnings in India to a successful businessman in the US. Chaudhry’s $1 million donation set the tone for the evening, and attendees joined in with generous amounts, including  $100,000 from Wanchoo, and pledges from other philanthropists.

The 2010 Indian Idol finalist and 2011 X Factor India finalist, Geetesh Iyer, as well as Indian-American band The Incident! provided the entertainment, blending Indian sounds with diverse world music styles.