APTA congratulates our community services legend Dr. Chandrasekhar Sankurathri garu on being awarded the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Government of India.

Dr. Chandrasekhar Sankurathri garu is the founder of Sankurathri foundation.

Dr. Chandrasekhar Sankurathri garu hails from Rajahmundry where he did his schooling and early college education, later he obtained his B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Zoology from Andhra university, Waltair. Subsequently, he went to Canada to pursue his higher studies and obtained M.S. in Biology from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Ph.D. in Zoology from University of Alberta, both from Canada.

Sankurathri foundation was established in 1989 as a memorial to 329 people killed by the terrorist activity on June 23rd, 1985, off the coast of Ireland. In that heinous act Dr. Chandrasekhar Sankurathri lost his beloved wife Manjari and two adorable children, Srikiran and Sarada.

Following that tragic incident, he searched for meaning for his life and after three years of struggle he has decided to dedicate his rest of the life to bring in the change he wanted to see. So, he resigned his job as Scientific Evaluator in the Ministry of Health with the Government of Canada. He returned to India after staying in Canada for 22 years with a firm determination to devote his life to the welfare of humanity.

Dr. Chandra’s mantra of providing Affordable, Accessible & Equitable services in education, healthcare & community development led to establishment of all the institutions and their success over these 30 years.

The three most important programs selected are, education to rural poor children to empower them, elimination of blindness by providing accessible, affordable, and equitable quality eye care to enhance the human potential by restoring eyesight and the last one is providing immediate relief to the victims at the time of natural disasters in the community.

With Regards,

APTA Executive Team