LVPEI Founder, Dr Gullapalli N Rao, Honored with SantokBaa Humanitarian Award 2026
Written by LVPEI Communications
Published 6th July 2026
Dr Gullapalli N Rao, Founder Chair of L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), was conferred the SantokBaa Humanitarian Award 2026, in recognition of his decades-long contribution to healthcare and his mission to make quality eye care accessible to all.
The award ceremony took place on June 13, 2026, in Surat, Gujarat, in the presence of various dignitaries, including Mr Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Mr Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister, Gujarat; and Shri C R Patil, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti.
This recognition celebrates the far-reaching impact of Dr Rao’s vision, which has also shaped LVPEI’s mission of delivering equitable and accessible eye care for all. Under his guidance and leadership, LVPEI has grown into a globally recognized institution, developing a comprehensive and sustainable model of eye care delivery that has helped transform many lives in India and beyond.
I’m honored to receive this award that represents the values that I have lived my life by – empathy, service, and a commitment to improving lives. I accept it on behalf of the many individuals and institutions who have dedicated themselves to the cause of expanding access to quality eye care. I look forward to my colleagues at LVPEI learning a great deal from Govindkaka and the world-class operational systems of SRK.
The SantokBaa Humanitarian Awards was established by Shri Govind Dholakia, Founder Chair Emeritus, Shree Ramkrishna Knowledge Foundation (SRKKF), the philanthropic arm of Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK) in 2006. For the past two decades, the award has honored selfless service and transformative leadership, carrying forward the legacy of compassion and selfless values embodied by Shri Govind Dholakia’s mother, SantokBaa.
This recognition marks another milestone in LVPEI’s ongoing mission to eliminate avoidable blindness and ensure equitable eye care access for all.
