By Ravi R Ponangi

Atlanta, GA: Shankar Subramonian, a longtime resident of Atlanta, founder of American Megatrends and a proud alumnus of IIT Madras, donated $350,000 to Sankar Netralaya (SN) to establish a Mobile Eye Surgical Unit (MESU) in his hometown Ettayapuram, Tamil Nadu. To honor his generous contribution, Sankara Nethralaya USA (SNUSA) – Atlanta Chapter hosted a Meet 'n Greet celebration on April 26 at the Johns Creek Event Center. Community leaders, SNUSA volunteers and leadership gathered to recognize Subramonian’s impact on both technology and public health. 

Shankar Subramonian is a distinguished member of the elite cadre of techno-entrepreneurs whose work has had a profound and lasting impact on the modern computing world. Born in Chennai (then Madras), he earned his B.Tech. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in 1971. Shankar Subramonian is the CEO and Founder of AmZetta Technologies, a company he formed as a spinoff from American Megatrends (better known as AMI). Shankar founded AMI in 1985 and led it as President & CEO until he stepped down in 2019. Under his leadership, AMI became the largest BIOS and Remote Management vendor in the world. There is a high probability that the computer you are currently using to view this website is running an AMI product, most likely the AMIBIOS. Shankar’s companies have been granted more than 500 US Patents on the technologies he has designed, developed, and shipped. His accomplishments continued to be recognized globally. Shankar resides is Atlanta with his wife Lakshmi, daughter Ambika, son Ananth, daughter in law Uma, and his grandkids, Rukmani and Keshav.

Shankar has always believed in giving back to the community. He has actively participated in local Community uplifting programs and contributed generously to scores of institutions like Atlanta Food Bank, Hindu temple of Atlanta etc., each year as well as established research centers globally. He was inducted into the Engineering Wall of Fame at the University of New Brunswick, Canada in 2022. With the support of distinguished alumni, the IIT Madras, has setup the Sankar Center of Excellence for Diabetic Research in September 2024, marking a milestone in the fight against diabetes. In collaboration with Emory University’s Global Diabetes Research Center (EGDRC), this Centre aims to bring together academic innovation and practical solutions to address diabetes, one of the world’s most pressing health issues. Shankar Subramonian’s unwavering dedication to service, innovation, and philanthropy continues to inspire efforts aimed at delivering equitable healthcare to underserved populations

This fifth MESU provided by Shankar Subramonian, part of Sankara Nethralaya’s life-transforming outreach program, will provide free cataract surgeries and eye care to remote regions in southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala by August 2025. This initiative will help conduct over 80 eye camps annually, reaffirming Sankara Nethralaya’s commitment to eradicating preventable blindness in rural India.

The SN USA President, Bala Indurti, felicitated Shankar Subramonian and announced his induction as a Brand Ambassador of SNUSA. He thanked Shankar for his magnanimous contribution to support the Mission of Sankara Nethralaya to eliminate preventable blindness in remote villages in India, where eye care nor eye surgery facilities exist. Sankara Nethralaya is the only one institution that is authorized by the Indian Government to perform cataract eye surgeries in remote locations in their specially designed and well-equipped Mobile Eye Surgical Units. All other complex eye surgeries are performed in their closest hospital operated by Sankara Nethralaya also at no cost to the patient. All other competing organizations perform eye tests and perform surgeries in their hospitals, and not onsite. Shankar Subramonian handed over a cheque for $350,000 to Treasurer Moorthy Rekapalli in presence of community leaders and SN Team. Shankar Subramonian’s family members Wife Lakshmi Shankar, daughter Ambika Shankar, Son Ashok Kumar and grandson attended the event.

The event was well attended by two of its Board of Advisors, Trustees from Metro Atlanta as well as its volunteers and patrons. Professional-grade dances in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi by local Dance Academies led by Sashikala Penumarthi, Neelima Gaddamanugu, Revathi Komanduri, Sobiya Kishan, and Jassotha Balasubramanyam were punctuated by pleasing music rendered live, by all Singer cum Chapter Leads, Madhavi Uppuluri and Usha Mocherla with devotional songs as well as catchy film tunes, as well as a Violin performance by Jassotha Balasubramanyam’s students. The evening was a celebration of not only art but also the spirit of community in Giving, with every singer and volunteer playing a vital role in raising funds for the noble cause.

Sankara Nethralaya members attended the event from different cities included Dr. Kishore Chivukula, Board of Advisor from Auburn Alabama, Executive Vice President Shyam Appali from Los Angeles CA, Board of Trustee Adi Morreddy and Women Committee Chair Rekha Reddy from Phoenix AZ, Board of Trustee Banu Ramakrishnan from Washington DC, and Board of Trustee Dr. Keshav Bhat from Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Sri Madhav Durbha, Dr. Prasad Garimella and Sri K.M. Venkata Narayan, Executive Director, Emory Global Diabetes Research Center, elaborated various magnanimous activities and charitable causes supported by Shankar Subramonian.

The following prominent community leaders and MESU Sponsors attended the event and shared their experiences with Sankara Nethralaya: Dr. BK Mohan, Dr. Sujatha Reddy, K. Mohan Reddy, Ravi Ponangi, Murli Reddy, Ravi Kandimalla, Amar Duggasani, Balarami Reddy, Srikanth Konda, Kiran Pasham, Prabhakar Reddy Eragam, Anil Jagarlamudi, Bharath Madadi, Vamshi Madadi, Tiru Chillapalli, Jagadeesh Cheemarla, Narayana Rekapalli, Sheela Lingam, Adi Chinnatimma, Gopal Nair, Indu Nair, Praveen Akula, Ravi Gella, Praveen Akula, Raj Vuchatu, Raghava Tadavarthi, Kamal Satluru, Sreeram Reddy Palla, and Dr. Pramod Reddy Kaila.

Gopal Bhattar, and four other Acharyas from Hindu temple of Atlanta rendered prayers as the traditional lamp was lit at the start of the event, and later, Veda Ashirvachanam was given to Sankara Subramonian and Sankara Nethralaya for their service to the community.

Under the leadership and tireless efforts of Sri Bala Reddy Indurti, over the last 9 years, SNUSA has seen a significant increase in awareness of its charitable activities in several States of the USA, and annual funds raised for the needy patients in India.

The Master of Ceremonies were Shyam Appali and Viju Chiluveru. The Photo/ Videography was covered by Sri Venkat Kuttua. Food was provided by Achis Restaurant. Shyam Appali gave the Vote of Thanks.