Factorail Effect!

Ms. Sumana was born in pre-independence India in the erstwhile Nizam’s estate (Hyderabad), Daughter of Dr. Burgula Rama Krishna Rao, statesman and the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; Ms. Sumana taught Social Science at the Atomic Energy Central School, Hyderabad for 30 years. Retired in 1998, Ms. Sumana moved to her native village and since then has been tirelessly helping poor communities of her village lead better lives.

A VisionSpring Champion, Ms. Sumana helped VisionSpring’s Vision Entrepreneurs’ conduct eye camps in her village on many occasions. According to Ms. Sumana, an understanding of human nature and society is essential for organic development and well being of the society. A firm believer of ‘Work is Worship’ and ‘Service to Humanity is Service to God’, she believes in the concept of a plural society with equal emphasis to human values.

Dr. Alok Agarwal, a leading Nephrologist based out of USA and a former student of Ms. Sumana says that his teacher has been his greatest inspiration and takes pride of being able to provide financial assistance to a Public School in Ms. Sumana’s native village.

Inspired by learning about VisionSpring’s work in Burgula village during his recent visit to her, Dr. Agarwal requested VisionSpring Vision Entrepreneurs to conduct an eye camp on August 2, 2010 to coincide with the opening ceremony of an auditorium donated by him for the for the local Self Help Group (SHG). Ms. Sumana made door-to-door visits and encouraged the villagers, especially women, to participate in the camp.


VisionSpring Vision Entrepreneurs’ screened 190 women and men and sold 106 eye glasses. During the camp Dr. Agarwal actively participated and provided part financial support for purchase of eye glasses to the needy people.

Thanks to the support of Ms. Sumana, VisionSpring conducted 4 eye camps in Burgula village in last two years, screened 560 people, sold 230 eye glasses and helped 60 cataract patients get operated at the Lions Eye Hospital in Mahabubnagar city.

A person like Ms. Sumana in every village can do wonders by taking the message of VisionSpring to many, and help to achieve its goals. Apart from being encouraging and inspiring, the efforts of individuals like Ms. Sumana will help VisionSpring create a Factorial Effect in impacting the lives of many.