Thulasiraj Ravilla, Executive Director - Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Aravind Eye Care System is an IIM-C alumnus who belongs to 8th batch of IIM-C. As an IIM-C graduate he takes pride in having joined the hospital as its first administrator in 1985 and is growing with the organization.
This Gates award recognizes an organization that has made a major and lasting contribution to the field of global health.
When contacted, he affirmed: "At this juncture, we would like to acknowledge that this is really a testimony to the contribution of every employee of the organization who worked together as a family in nurturing the seed of service that our founder Dr. G. Venkatswamy — affectionately referred to as Dr. V planted over three decades ago. We also want to acknowledge the contributions made by countless individuals who came as volunteers and organizations."
Thulasiraj Ravilla worked for British Paints (now Berger Paints) following his PGP from IIM-C and in 1981; Dr V. was in need of an administrator to put his ideas and vision into action. Thulsi left his corporate job and joined Aravind for a fraction of his previous salary. He then spent about a year at the University of Michigan as a visiting scholar to get an academic foundation in Hospital and Health Management. Since then, he has been part of the leadership team that built Aravind into the world's largest provider of eye care.
He developed the LAICO-Aravind Eye Hospital Care System in 1992 and continues to head it. He also served for five years as the regional chair of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness for the South East Asia region.
