California, Santa Clara, USA: Sankara Eye Foundation USA successfully collected $2.3 million during its annual fundraising gala held in Santa Clara, California.

The funds will be used to provide free eye surgeries for people suffering from curable blindness in India. The sold-out event brought together over 500 participants, showcasing the Foundation’s strong commitment to fighting preventable blindness.

A highlight of the evening was the generous contribution of $1 million from Zscaler CEO Jay Chaudhry and his wife, Jyothi. Sharing his life story during the keynote address, Chaudhry emphasized the value of perseverance, determination, and dreaming big.

The gala also welcomed Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who took part in a special fireside chat with the Foundation’s President and co-founder, Sridharan Krishnamurthy.

The program began with a performance by Bay Area artist Ranjini Vijay, followed by opening remarks from Krishnamurthy, who initially set a fundraising target of $1.5 million. The event concluded with dinner and Bollywood music, leaving attendees motivated and connected to the cause.

The money raised will push forward the Foundation’s vision of conducting 1 million free eye surgeries annually through a sustainable model, where 70% of surgeries are free and 30% are paid, ensuring financial stability for the hospitals.

Since its start in 1998 in the Bay Area, the organization has expanded significantly. What began with support for a single hospital in Coimbatore performing around 8,000 free surgeries per year has now grown into a network of 29 hospitals across 14 states in India, carrying out over 450,000 free surgeries in the past year alone.

In recognition of its impact, Sankara Eye Foundation USA has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for 14 years in a row, placing it among the top 3% of charitable organizations in the United States.