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Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust

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65-575: The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust ( SSSCT ), is a registered public charitable trust founded in 1972 by Sri Sathya Sai Baba . Its humanitarian work includes drinking water projects, healthcare and education. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS) in Puttaparthi , inaugurated in November 1991 by the then prime minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao , is one of the famous hospitals set up by SSSCT. In 2020, Sri Satya Sai Central Trust

130-401: A charitable purpose and a public benefit. Applicable charitable purposes are typically divided into four categories: trusts for relieving poverty, trusts for promoting education, trusts for advancing religion, and all other types of trusts recognized by the law. This also includes trusts for the benefit of animals and trusts for the benefit of a locality. Additionally, there is a requirement that

195-463: A facility into 125-bed COVID hospital with five ICU beds with ventilators. The Trust's Central Research and Instrumentation Facility developed a rapid Covid-19 detection kit (SAIC-19 Ag Kit), which was validated and approved for use by the Indian Council of Medical Research . The Trust collaborated with UNICEF in creating public awareness programmes on Covid-19 infection. The SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram

260-452: A fixed amount ( charitable remainder annuity trust ) or a percentage of trust principal ( charitable remainder unitrust ), to either the donor or another named beneficiary. If the trust qualifies under the IRS code, the donor may claim a charitable income tax deduction for their donation to the trust. Moreover, the donor might not need to pay an immediate capital gains tax when the trust disposes of

325-437: A fixed dollar amount are more rigid and typically appeal to much older donors unconcerned about inflation's impact on income distributions, and who are using cash or marketable securities to fund the trust. In some situations, the less complicated pooled income fund may be more suitable than the charitable remainder trusts. Charitable lead trusts are the opposite of charitable remainder trusts and make payments to charity for

390-483: A lead trust gift, depending on the type of charitable lead trust. Generally, a non-grantor lead trust does not generate a current income tax deduction, but it eliminates the asset (or part of the asset's value) from the donor's estate. Indian Council of Medical Research The Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR ), the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research ,

455-401: A model for other individuals and organizations to create similar hospitals in the service of mankind. Altruism can become one of the foremost impetuses of caregivers and replication of such a model may well lead the world into an era in which altruism becomes the key attribute of healthcare economics. On 22 November 1991, a day before the 65th birthday of Sathya Sai Baba, P. V. Narasimha Rao ,

520-426: A neutral manner is permissible. Charitable trusts, like other trusts, are administered by trustees, but there is no direct relationship between the trustees and the beneficiaries. This results in two key points: first, the trustees of a charitable trust have greater freedom to act than other trustees, and secondly, beneficiaries cannot take legal action against the trustees. Instead, the beneficiaries are represented by

585-454: A portion of their estate to charity when they die, both for philanthropic purposes and for certain tax benefits. Charitable trusts can be set up inter vivos (during a donor's life) or as a part of a trust or will at death (testamentary). There are two basic types of US charitable trusts: charitable remainder trusts (CRT) and charitable lead trusts (CLT). Additionally, there is an Optimized Charitable Lead Annuity Trust (OCLAT) designed to maximize

650-594: A time-bound, goal-oriented approach with clearly defined targets, specific time frames, standardised and uniform methodologies, and often a multicentric structure. Open-ended research is conducted on the basis of applications for grants-in-aid received from scientists in non-ICMR Research Institutes, Medical colleges and Universities located in different parts of the country. Collaborative research projects with other institutes such as that between Institute of Pathology, Delhi and NCRM are also undertaken. ICMR's Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) for diagnosis of

715-535: A view to reduce the total burden of disease and to promote health and well-being of the population. In 1911, the Government of India set up the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) with the specific objective of sponsoring and coordinating medical research in the country. After independence, several important changes were made in the organisation and the activities of IRFA. It was redesignated as

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780-540: Is a healthcare on wheels program offering advanced medical care at the doorstep for patients living in remote villages. Other than surgeries that require general anesthesia, all medical services are offered on a monthly basis. In 2005, Sathya Sai Baba commissioned Siemens India to custom build a bus with a high-power supply generator on board, and the Mobile Hospital service was launched in Puttaparthi in 2006. The bus

845-447: Is a more specific term than " charitable organization ". A charitable trust enjoys varying degrees of tax benefits in most countries and also generates goodwill. Some important terminology in charitable trusts includes the term " corpus " (Latin for "body"), referring to the assets with which the trust is funded, and the term "donor," which is the person donating assets to a charity. In India, trusts set up for social causes and approved by

910-473: Is also the secretariat for Health Ministry's Screening Committee (HMSC) meeting organised monthly for consideration of international collaborative research projects. It also encourages human resource development in biomedical research through Research Fellowships, Short-Term Visiting Fellowships, Short-Term Research Studentships, and various training programmes and workshops conducted by ICMR institutes and headquarters. For retired medical scientists and teachers,

975-408: Is equipped with an ultrasound with color Doppler,  2D echocardiogram, digital X-ray, biochemistry, and clinical pathology labs along with a pharmacy that dispenses a month’s supply of medicines to last until the next month’s visit. The Mobile Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam serves Bukkapatnam, Chennekothapalli, Nallamada, Obuladevaraj Cheruvu, and Puttaparthi Mandals. Every month, for twelve days,

1040-981: Is one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world. The ICMR is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare . In 2007, the organization established the Clinical Trials Registry - India , which is India's national registry for clinical trials. ICMR's 26 national institutes address themselves to research on specific health topics like tuberculosis , leprosy , cholera and diarrhoeal diseases , viral diseases including AIDS , malaria , kala-azar , vector control, nutrition, food & drug toxicology, reproduction, immuno-haematology, oncology, medical statistics, etc. Its 6 regional medical research centres address themselves to regional health problems, and also aim to strengthen or generate research capabilities in different geographic areas of

1105-536: Is responsible for the establishment, functioning, and management of two super-specialty hospitals – Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram, and Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Whitefield,  Bengaluru . They are also responsible for two general hospitals – the first one in Puttaparthi, built in 1954, and the second one in Whitefield, Bengaluru, built in 1976.  Apart from that, in 2004, Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital

1170-621: The Attorney General for England and Wales in their capacity as parens patriae , appearing on behalf of The Crown . The jurisdiction over charitable disputes is equally shared between the High Court of Justice and the Charity Commission . The Commission, being the primary authority, is responsible for regulating and promoting charitable trusts. It also provides advice and opinions to trustees on administrative matters. In cases where

1235-554: The Income Tax Department not only receive exemption from tax payment, but donors to such trusts can also deduct the donated amount from their taxable income. The legal framework in India recognizes activities such as "relief of the poor, education, medical relief, preservation of monuments and the environment, and the advancement of any other object of general public utility" as charitable purposes. Companies formed under Section 8 of

1300-466: The 80s and the 90s to include operation theatres, labor wards, and post-natal wards. Primary healthcare, emergencies, normal deliveries, Caesarian sections, dental problems, and general surgeries are handled in the hospital.  The general hospital in Whitefield was set up in 1976, when Whitefield was a remote village out of Bangalore city limits. It serves the poor from over 500 villages around Whitefield, and even districts of neighbouring states. Over

1365-535: The Anantapur Drinking Water Supply Project,  the Trust undertook similar projects to provide safe and clean drinking water to people in the drought-prone and fluoride-affected villages of Medak and Mahabubnagar districts of Telangana state (then Andhra Pradesh). Apart from excessive fluorine, the groundwater in these regions is polluted by industrial waste. About 320 villages are beneficiaries of

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1430-632: The Commission detects mismanagement or maladministration, it has the authority to take actions against the trustees. This includes their removal, the appointment of new trustees, or even temporarily assuming control of the trust property to prevent harm. In instances where there are issues with a charity, the High Court can implement schemes that dictate the functioning of the charity. In the United States, many individuals use charitable trusts to leave all or

1495-747: The Companies Act, 2013, for promoting charity, also receive benefits under the law, including exemption from various procedural provisions of the Companies Act—either fully or partially—and are entitled to other exemptions that the Central Government may grant through its orders. In the Islamic Republic of Iran , religious charitable trusts, or bonyads , constitute a substantial part of the country's economy, controlling an estimated 20% of Iran's GDP. Unlike some other Muslim-majority countries,

1560-462: The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, around 420 hospital staff were involved in providing care at the hospital's Covid-19 treatment center including 53 doctors, 142 nurses, and 225 other paramedical and support staff. The Trust donated or spent a total of US$ 2 Million, including donations to the state and central government relief funds, medical supplies to 14 quarantine centres in the district, and to convert

1625-679: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 1949, with a considerably expanded scope of functions. The governing body of the council is presided over by the Union Health Minister . It is assisted in scientific and technical matters by a scientific advisory board comprising eminent experts in different biomedical disciplines. The board, in its turn, is assisted by a series of scientific advisory groups, scientific advisory committees, expert groups, task forces, steering committees etc. which evaluate and monitor different research activities of

1690-560: The Mobile Hospital had treated 873,367 patients, performed 56,786 diagnostic procedures, 209,263 biochemical tests, 21,355 X-rays, 25,823 ultrasounds and 9,608 ECGs All services are delivered free of cost. For complicated cases, doctors take responsibility for arranging for further treatment in the super-specialty hospital in Puttaparthi.   The successful model was replicated by Sathya Sai devotees in other states in India and also in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Africa, and South America. In 2013,

1755-749: The Rs.300 crore project on November 18, 1995. The project was formally handed over to the Government of Andhra Pradesh in October 1997. A private firm, Larsen & Toubro was contracted for project management and construction. The community gave access to private property and workmen around the clock. The project involved laying of  2000 kilometres of pipeline of varying diameters. 43 sumps with capacities ranging from 100,000 liters to 2,500,000 liters were constructed. 18 balancing reservoirs with capacities ranging from 300,000 liters to 1,000,000 lakh liters were constructed on

1820-586: The Sathya Sai Ganga project for providing drinking water to residents of Chennai alongside helping irrigate three lakh acres of land in Nellore and Chittoor districts, and water pruification systems. A drought-prone district in the state of Andhra Pradesh , Anantapur receives the second lowest rainfall in the country after Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The three major rivers Pennar, Hagari, and Chitravathi that flow in

1885-509: The Trust's council of management also had lawyer SS Naganand, former Canara Bank Chairman JV Shetty , former Indian Overseas Bank Chairman TKK Bhagawat, and K Chakravarthi (IAS retired). After Sathya Sai Baba’s demise in April 2011, the activities of the Trust were collectively managed by the then board of trustees.  One of the trustees, RJ Rathnakar,  the son of Sathya Sai Baba’s younger brother late RV Janakiramaiah, had been shouldering

1950-403: The appreciated asset and purchases other income-generating assets to fund the trust. At the end of the trust term, which may be based on either lives or a term of years, the charity receives whatever amount is left in the trust. Charitable remainder unitrusts provide flexibility in the distribution of income and may be helpful in retirement planning, while charitable remainder annuity trusts paying

2015-405: The bonyads receive large In England and Wales, charitable trusts represent a form of express trust dedicated to charitable goals. There are several advantages to charitable trust status, including exemption from most forms of taxation and freedom for the trustees that is not found in other types of English trusts. For a charitable trust to be considered valid, the organization must demonstrate both

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2080-609: The bus, classrooms, and tents. While tents and verandahs serve as waiting areas, classrooms serve as consultation rooms. Instant diagnostics are carried out in the labs on the bus. The whole activity is powered by the onboard generator. The hospital is staffed by a team of 500 volunteer doctors ranging from professors to junior physicians and including private practitioners. Services are offered in General Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dental medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics and Dermatology. By 2017,

2145-479: The cardiac catheterization laboratory, of which 733 were percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties, mitral or pulmonary valvuloplasties, and permanent pacemaker implantations. A total of 159,361 outpatients were examined and treated, while over 8,860 were admitted as inpatients for an average stay of 12 days. Those who had operations included 1,509 students, 744 children, and 1,055 housewives. Mortality and infection rates were reported to be below 2%, comparable to

2210-481: The council offers the position of emeritus scientist to enable them to continue or take up research on specific biomedical topics. The council also awards prizes to Indian scientists, in recognition of significant contributions to biomedical research as well as those who work in the underdeveloped parts of the country. At present, the council offers 38 awards, of which 11 are meant exclusively for young scientists (below 40 years). The Indian Journal of Medical Research

2275-1001: The council. The council promotes biomedical research in the country through intramural as well as extramural research. Over the decades, the base of extramural research and also its strategies have been expanded by the council. Intramural research is carried out currently through the council's 30 permanent research institutes/centres which are mission-oriented national institutes located in different parts of India. The institutes pursue specific areas of research such as COVID-19 , tuberculosis , leprosy , cholera and diarrhoeal diseases, viral diseases including Rotavirus , dengue , COVID-19 , Ebolavirus , Influenza , Japanese encephalitis , AIDS , malaria , kala-azar , vector control, nutrition, food & drug toxicology , reproduction , immunohaematology , oncology , and medical statistics. Six Regional Medical Research Centres address regional health problems, and also aim to strengthen or generate research capabilities in different geographic areas of

2340-646: The country. The council's research priorities coincide with National health priorities such as control and management of communicable diseases , fertility control, maternal and child health, control of nutritional disorders, developing alternative strategies for health care delivery, containment within safety limits of environmental and occupational health problems; research on major non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, blindness, diabetes and other metabolic and haematological disorders; mental health research and drug research (including traditional remedies). These efforts are undertaken with

2405-418: The country. It has also been involved in research related to rare diseases like Handigodu syndrome . Extramural research is promoted by ICMR by establishing Centres for Advanced Research in different research areas around existing expertise and infrastructure in selected departments of medical colleges, universities and other non-ICMR research institutes. The ICMR also funds task force studies which emphasise

2470-533: The district remain dry during the summer months. Groundwater is not only scarce but also high in fluoride content, causing physical deformities and ailments among people living in the region. People had to walk long distances to fetch water for their daily needs, resulting in joint pains.   Sathya Baba announced in 1994 that the Trust would fund a project for the supply of drinking water to villages in Anantapur district. Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao inaugurated

2535-411: The districts were completed and handed over to the Government of Andhra Pradesh on 15, September 2007. Chennai (then known as Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu , is a bustling metropolitan city with a population of about 11.9 million. Dubbed “ Detroit of Asia ”, Chennai is a hub for industries in the area of automobiles, BPO, software, data centers, manufacturing, medical tourism, and fintech. There

2600-413: The foundation stone for Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital on his birthday on 23 November 1954. It was inaugurated on 4 October 1956.  Baba also launched a ‘healthcare on wheels’ programme under the general hospital in Puttaparthi. A ‘medical van’ took doctors and nurses regularly to villages offering curative services and health education. Later, under the aegis of the Trust, the hospital was expanded in

2665-531: The hospital in the spirit of selfless service, one of the central values extolled by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The same article mentions that as of March 2015, 46,535 cardiology procedures and 20,720 neurology procedures had been performed at the Bangalore facility, with a mortality rate (0.87%) - that is lower than the average for a hospital in the developed world. Doctors, as well as skilled workers for non-clinical positions volunteer their services. In 2016, new equipment

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2730-570: The hospital was designed by Keith Critchlow , a British artist, lecturer, author, sacred geometer , professor of architecture and a co-founder of the Temenos Academy in the UK.  Isaac Tigrett , who had founded the Hard Rock Cafe enterprise, had sought Critchlow's expertise, and his use of sacred geometry played a major role in the architectural design of the hospital. Replicating the success of

2795-406: The mobile clinic with its team of doctors visits one village every day.  Villages up to a radius of 50 kilometers around Puttaparthi are covered. Patients from 30 to 50 villages converge at a nodal point on the scheduled dates. Volunteers prep the selected site – the rooms temporarily allocated to them in the school building of the village. They set up overnight a makeshift hospital that comprises

2860-520: The mobile hospital was awarded the "Commendation for Innovation in Transforming Lives" award by CNBC-TV18. Among the public welfare activities undertaken by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust is the provision of drinking water to 1051 villages in the drought-prone districts of Anantapur , Medak , and Mahboobnagar , 452 upland and tribal habitations in East Godavari and West Godavari districts, and

2925-419: The perennial Krishna river would be brought to Madras, with the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka , and Maharashtra contributing 5 TMC each from their share of Krishna water. Charitable trust Contest Property disposition Common types Other types Governing doctrines A charitable trust is an irrevocable trust established for charitable purposes. In some jurisdictions, it

2990-470: The poor, medical relief, and education. On 16 July 1975, the Trust was registered under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 . In March 2010, the Trust was reconstituted to include apart from Baba, former Chief Justice of India PN Bhagawati , chartered accountant Indulal Shah, former Central Vigilance Commission Chief SV Giri, WS Industries Chairman V Srinivasan, and RJ Rathnakar.  At that time,

3055-698: The projects. Tribes and poor people living in the upland and backward areas of the East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh were getting their water from bore wells and streams. Sourcing water from the perennial Godavari river and its tributary Pamuleru, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust took up projects to provide safe drinking water to about 220,000 people across 212 habitations in East Godavari, and 470,000 people across 240 habitations in West Godavari districts. The projects in both

3120-506: The responsibilities of implementing the decisions, as he stays in Puttaparthi. In January 2020,  RJ Rathnakar was unanimously appointed as Managing Trustee, by all the trustees. Bangalore Mirror notes that the new post was created to further expand the service activities. As of August 2023, there are seven members on the Board of Trustees, including the Managing Trustee. The Trust

3185-543: The super-specialty hospital in Prasanthi Nilayam, Sathya Sai Baba announced a similar project for Bengaluru. On 19 January 2001, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated the 330-bed hospital in Whitefield, Bengaluru. An article in INSEAD Knowledge, notes that the hospital is set in a sprawling 52-acre complex with a placid and contemplative atmosphere, and patients are greeted by volunteers who come to

3250-508: The tax and economic benefits for the contributor. Charitable remainder trusts are irrevocable structures established by a donor to provide an income stream to the income beneficiary, while the public charity or private foundation receives the remainder value when the trust terminates. These "split interest" trusts are defined in §664 of the Internal Revenue Code and are normally tax-exempt. A Section 664 trust makes payments either of

3315-410: The term of the trust. Similar to a charitable remainder trust, payments may be either a fixed amount (charitable lead annuity trust) or a percentage of trust principal (charitable lead unitrust). At the end of the trust term, the remainder can either go back to the donor or to heirs named by the donor. The donor may sometimes claim a charitable income tax deduction or a gift/estate tax deduction for making

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3380-509: The then Prime Minister of India had flown down to Puttaparthi and inaugurated the 220-bed super-specialty hospital.  It was built in 10 months, at a cost of Rs 300 crores with the aim of providing free medical care to the sick and ailing with dedication, commitment, love, and the best of skills, so that they will be cured in body, mind and spirit. The specialties offered include cardiology, ophthalmology, urology, gastroenterology, CTVS and orthopedics. Former head of AIIMS , Dr. Amarnath Safaya

3445-401: The top of hillocks. 270 overhead reservoirs and 125 ground-level reservoirs were set up. More than 1500 precast concrete cisterns of 2500 liters capacity were installed in various villages. Each cistern has four taps for people to collect water. Overall, 731 villages are provided free water under this project that has received much acclaim from the Government of India: Following the success of

3510-501: The trust's purposes benefit the public or a specific section of the public, rather than merely a group of private individuals. Several circumstances render such trusts invalid. Charitable trusts are prohibited from operating for profit, and their purposes cannot be non-charitable unless these purposes are ancillary to the charitable goal. Furthermore, it is deemed unacceptable for charitable trusts to engage in campaigns for political or legal change. However, discussing political issues in

3575-767: The viral and other infectious diseases is gradually evolving and is proposed to be the largest network of laboratories for timely identification of viruses and other agents causing morbidity significant at public health level and specific agents causing epidemics and/or potential agents for bioterrorism and undertake research for identification of emerging and newer genetically active/ modified agents. In addition to research activities, ICMR also provides international fellowship programme for research and training and exposure of Indian biomedical scientists in various countries as well as offering opportunities to scientists from developing countries to come and work in Indian institutes/laboratories. It

3640-467: The world average of the best centres of cardiac surgery in the world. In the early four years (1992-1996), a total of 47,396 outpatients were examined and investigated in the uro-nephrology department. Over 5,652 surgical operations were performed, 4,286 kidney dialyses, and 71 kidney transplants. The ophthalmology department provides total eye care including vitreoretinal surgery, laser treatment, photo-coagulation, and cryosurgery. A sophisticated eye bank

3705-610: The years preceding 2004, some areas of the city had to go without water supply for three days at a time during summer months. The city required about 750 million liters of water per day but had a supply of just 250 million liters. As part of the Telugu Ganga Project in the early 1960s for solving the Chennai water problem,  the Central Government had announced that annually 15 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from

3770-537: The years, the hospital has expanded into a 35,000-sqft building over four acres of land, and has state-of-the-art medical facilities and equipments.  All cases from gynaecology and general surgery to psychiatry are taken up. It has a dispensary that gives medicines to the patients treated here free. As of May 2001, the hospital had treated over 2 million cases free, including knee and hip replacement surgeries, cornea grafts, plastic surgery to set right clefts, and removal of kidney stones. Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital

3835-474: Was added and various departments of the SSSIHM in both Prasanthigram and Whitefield were upgraded at the cost of Rs.100 crores. Much before the Trust was founded, Sathya Sai Baba had a general hospital constructed in Prasanthi Nilayam in the mid-1950s. Since Puttaparthi was a remote village, there were no basic healthcare facilities to address even the primary healthcare needs of villagers and pregnant women. Baba laid

3900-500: Was appointed as the first director of the hospital. A report published in World Health Forum , 1998, says that in the first five-year period from November 1991 to November 1996, a total of 5,345 heart operations were performed, 3052 of which were for open heart surgery (correction of congenital anomalies in children, valvular repairs, coronary artery surgery, removal of heart tumors, etc.). Some 4,572 procedures were carried out in

3965-701: Was conferred National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) accreditation on 11 July 2016 for quality patient care. In June 2023, SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram received an award of recognition from the Andhra Pradesh Government for their clean and green initiatives including energy conservation within the campus, a sewage treatment plant of 500 KLD capacity, solar power generation of 1.9 MW capacity, check dams for water conservation, tree plantation, biomedical waste segregation with proper colour coding for ease of disposal, and energy-efficient lighting. Constructed by Larsen & Toubro ,

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4030-607: Was granted Special Consultative status by United Nations Economic and Social Council . In November 2021, the SSSCT was confererred with the YSR Lifetime Achievement Award, by the Andhra Pradesh government for outstanding contribution to public service. Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust was founded on 2 September 1972, with Sathya Sai Baba as the sole trustee, for carrying out activities in the areas of providing relief to

4095-419: Was launched to provide comprehensive health care at doorstep to residents of neighboring villages. The healthcare services offered by the Trust are in keeping with the principles laid down by Sathya Sai Baba: Besides employees, volunteers across various disciplines spend time regularly with the aim of contributing service to society. It is hoped that the healthcare projects initiated by the Trust may serve as

4160-418: Was one problem. Until December 2004, Chennai had a severe water shortage, with people queuing up at taps for water.  Since Chennai lies in the rain shadow region of the southwest monsoon , it has to depend on the fickle northeast monsoon for its water supply. No major rivers flow near the city. Thus, Chennai has had to live with the problem of water shortage from way back in the late nineteenth century. In

4225-522: Was set up to serve the many cases of corneal blindness. In the two years since 1994, 28,245 outpatients had been examined, investigated, and treated; 2,525 operations were carried out for eye trauma, corneal transplantation, and vitreous and retinal diseases. The Department of Plastic Surgery began functioning at the SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, in July 1997. The first operation was conducted on September 15, 1997. During

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