The Madurai based Aravind Eye Care system was awarded the 'Pride of South Tamil Nadu' award 2009. The award is instituted by Velammal Educational Trust.  The institution was choosen for the award  for the exceptional success achieved by it in providing quality eye treatment in the South. The Managing Director of 'The Hindu', N Murali' said that the speciality of the institution is that it charged only 30 to 35 percent of its patients and the rest were given treatment free of cost. “The hospital owes its success to its legendary founder G. Venkatasamy who evolved a model where low cost does not mean the standards were compromised,” said Mr Murali. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman, Aravind Eye Care System said that the success of the institution belongs to its founder who ensured to make every obsatcle it had to face into an opportunity.