Dr Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath was born on February, 24, 1940 inTriplicane, Chennai. His father,Sri S. V. Srinivasa Rao, a Licentiate in Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai, was employed in the Madras Government Service as an Engineer in Public Works and Food production department. Badrinath's mother, Smt. Lakshmi Devi was the daughter of a leading advocate from Nerur, Tamilnadu. Youngest of seven siblings, Dr Badrinath was brought up in "middle class" ethics and rooted in the
culture and tradition of our Bharat. He lost both his parents while still in his teens and completed his medical studies from the life insurance policy money obtained following the demise of his father. Beginning his education at age 7, due to a childhood illness, Dr Badrinath studied at P S High School,Mylapore and Sri Ramakrishna Mission High School,T.Nagar, Chennai. He completed the "intermediate"collegiate study at Loyola College between 1955 and1957. He was a student of the Madras Medical College between 1957 and 1962 completing his medical studies in the first attempt and securing the highest marks in ophthalmology in the University Examination.He pursued his graduate studies in ophthalmology in the United States of America at Grasslands Hospital, New York University Postgraduate Medical School and
Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary between 1963 and1968. He worked as a fellow in the vitreoretinal services of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston under Dr Charles L. Schepens from 1968 to 70. He passed the examination for the Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Canada) and the American Board
Examination in Ophthalmology in 1969 and 1970 respectively.

He met Dr Vasanthi Iyengar, a board-certified pediatrician and Hematologist in Brooklyn, New York in 1966, and married her on 3rd June 1967. They have two
sons. Forsaking citizenship and immigration into Canada and USA, the Badrinath’s returned to India keeping their promise to his Guru, Dr Charles L
Schepens, in March/April 1970, after a seven and half years stay abroad.In the first two years, following their return, the family suffered immense hardship. During this period of trials and tribulations, Col. S. Vasudevan, Badrinath's elder
brother was of immense and immeasurable support and dissuading the couple from returning back to USA. From 1970, for a period of six years, Dr Badrinath
worked at the Voluntary Health Services, Adyar as a consultant. He set up his private practice in ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery at the H.M.Hospital (1970 to 1972) and Vijaya Hospital, Chennai(1973 to 1978).In 1974, Dr Badrinath was most privileged and blessed to have had the opportunity to serve His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekerendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 68th Peetathipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. In 1975, he was most fortunate to have been ordained to start a medical institution with a missionary
spirit by His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. In 1978 Dr S S Badrinath founded the Medical Research Foundation  as ordained by His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. He is currently the president of Medical Research Foundation of which Sankara Nethralaya is the hospital unit, a registered society, acharitable non-profit ophthalmic organization. He is
also the Chairman Emeritus of Sankara Nethralaya.

The Government of India awarded Dr Badrinath, Padma Sri in 1983 and Padma Bhushan in 1999. He is also a recipient of Dr B. C. Roy National Award (1991). He is a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and has been bestowed honorary doctorate degrees by bothAnnamalai and Dr M.G.R. Medical University in 1995.He was also awarded the Dhanvantri Award in 1999,Dadhabhai Naoroji Award (2004), Rameshwardas Birla Award (2004), Life Time Achievement Award given by the International Medical Integration Council &Optimal Healthcare Group (India) in 2004, QimproPlatinum Standard-Healthcare Award (2005), Hall of Fame Award (2005), Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2005), Felicitation given by St. John Ambulance (2005), Award of Excellence (2005), LifeTime Achievement Award given by ICFAI in 2005 and many more. He was honoured with National Leadership Awards - 2006 given by the IIM (Lucknow) from the hands of the Honourable Prime Minister in Delhi, IMC Juran Quality Award from India Merchants’ Chamber,Received Corporate Citizen Award for the year  Economic Times of India and many more.He was the Honorary Ophthalmic Surgeon to the
President of India. He is a consultant in ophthalmology to the Armed Forces of India and a non-official member of the Armed Forces Medical Research committee. The Lions Club and the Rotarians have also honoured him.Dr S S Badrinath has many scientific publications to his credit and works hard even today at the age of 66 for a brighter tomorrow for Sankara Nethralaya and
Ophthalmology in India.The Government of India awarded Dr Badrinath, Padma
Sri in 1983 and Padma Bhushan in 1999. He is also arecipient of Dr B. C. Roy National Award (1991). He is a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and has been bestowed honorary doctorate degrees by both Annamalai and Dr M.G.R. Medical University in 1995. He was also awarded the Dhanvantri Award in 1999, Dadhabhai Naoroji Award (2004), Rameshwardas Birla Award (2004), Life Time Achievement Award given by the International Medical Integration Council &Optimal Healthcare Group (India) in 2004, Qimpro Platinum Standard Healthcare Award (2005), Hall of Fame Award (2005), Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2005), Felicitation given by St. John
Ambulance (2005), Award of Excellence (2005), LifeTime Achievement Awardgiven by ICFAI in 2005 and many more. He was honoured with National Leadership Awards - 2006 given by the IIM (Lucknow) from the hands of the Honourable Prime Minister in Delhi, IMC Juran Quality Award from Indian Merchants’ Chamber, Received Corporate Citizen Award for the year 2006 by Economic Times of India and many more.
He was the Honorary Ophthalmic Surgeon to the President of India. He is a consultant in ophthalmology to the Armed Forces of India and a non-official member of the Armed Forces Medical Research committee. The Lions Club and the Rotarians have also honoured him. Dr S S Badrinath has many scientific publications to his credit and works hard even today at the age of 66 for a
brighter tomorrow for Sankara Nethralaya and Ophthalmology in India