Prime Minister declares Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati a 'Centre of Excellence'        Prime minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh visited Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, the prominent eye care center, on the 21st of November as part of his visit to the Northeast. In his address to the gathering, Dr. Singh declared the hospital a 'Centre of Excellence'.        Lauding the tremendous role played by the Nethralaya in the sphere of eye care in the region, the Prime Minister expressed his deep satisfaction at the hospital's concept of making the most advanced and international-level technology available to the people at an affordable cost. He described the institution as the perfect example of the middle path, blending the public and the private sectors for the maximum benefit of the people and set it as a role model for other such enterprises across the country, especially in the field of health care. The Prime Minister made a special comment on its Community Service and encouraged its recent endeavor into the challenging world of paediatric ophthalmology. Dr. Singh congratulated the Nethralaya at its ability to sustainably attract highly qualified doctors and other health personnel over the years. During a brief tour of the hospital with the Medical Director, Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee, the Prime Minister was highly impressed by the state-of-the-art equipment and other facilities.       The Prime Minister inaugurated the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the Institute by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The function was also attended by the Governor of Assam, Lt.Gen. (Retd.) Ajai Singh and the Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi besides a host of dignitaries from the Central and State Governments, members of the Nethralaya family and well wishers. Dr. Singh acknowledged the manifold growth achieved by the Nethralaya within a brief period of ten years and wished it all luck for the future.       Noteworthy is that, with this distinction, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya joins an exclusive cadre of Centers of Excellence throughout the country and becomes the only one in the health sector in the Northeast.