The Government of India has conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award on Dr. G. Nachiyar, renowned ophthalmologist and healthcare visionary from Tamil Nadu, in recognition of her decades-long service in the field of medicine, especially in advancing affordable eye care and rural health delivery systems.
Dr. Nachiyar, who served as the first woman Director of the renowned Aravind Eye Hospital, has been instrumental in expanding access to high-quality, low-cost ophthalmic services across India. Her leadership helped revolutionize models of community-based eye care, especially benefiting underserved populations.
- Championed the Aravind Model of Eye Care, which balances affordability with clinical excellence
- Led initiatives that enabled millions of cataract surgeries and restored vision to countless patients
- Trained hundreds of young eye surgeons and healthcare professionals
- Promoted women’s leadership in medical services and rural healthcare
- Advocated for preventive care and blindness elimination programs across India and abroad
Her work has been recognized globally for aligning clinical impact with humanitarian values.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Vision gives dignity to life,” Dr. Nachiyar has said, emphasizing the ethical and spiritual dimensions of medicine throughout her career.
The conferment of the Padma Shri upon Dr. G. Nachiyar is a fitting tribute to her transformative role in eye care and public health, making her one of India’s most respected medical leaders and a symbol of compassionate service.
