About Dr. Nagaratna Annavarjula

Dr. Nagaratna Annavarjula popularly known as Dr. Ratna Suyajna has become an ultimate hope for elderly and her Krishna Sannidhi has become the destination for the Elderly in distress & sick senior citizens. Born in 1955 to her beloved parents Sri. Subramanyam Annavarjula & Smt. Lalithamma as the first child she always took the responsibility of supporting and taking care of her family of three brothers and two sisters as though she is the eldest son of Annavarjula family - because of this responsibility she never left Ballari a blessing in disguise for the needy elders of Ballari. Completing her MBBS in Bellary Medical College in 1978 - she did two years of Junior residency course in Obstetrics & Gynaecology in Ghosha hospital where she met Dr. Suyajna Joshi from Mangaluru. They married in the year 1980.

Sri. Subramanyam Annavarjula was kind hearted and a personification of simplicity always caring all the family members and people who were in trouble particularly elderly. When he passed away in 1984 her brothers and sisters where still studying- Nagaratna become a pillar of support for them till all of them got married and settled in life. This responsibility made her reject postgraduate seat thrice but Nagaratna never once repented for the same as she had become a popular doctor loved and adored by her patients and she had better plans for her future.
In 1982 she joined Family Planning Association of India - Bellary branch as Chief Medical Officer - worked with utmost sincerity and interest. She became the first laparoscopic specialist performing laparoscopic sterilisations - a beginning of laparoscopic era in Ballari In 1998 she left the job and started her Nursing Home in the centre of Bellary - named Geetha Nursing Home - an expression of her love & affection to her younger sister Geetha Gayatri. She was bestowed by the almighty God -a healing hands - treated innumerable patients with or without charging them - delivered thousands of mothers always staying by their side to relieve the pain of giving birth to generation next. The smile on the face of these mothers who delivered normally gave the utmost natural satisfaction to Nagaratna Annavarjula. She completed Postgraduate Diploma in Medicolegal sciences from Symbiosis Pune & Postgraduate diploma in Geriatric Medicine from Rajiv Gandhi Open University- a cause most close to her heart even to this day

Within a short time Nagaratna Annavarjula had become had become a popular doctor treating patients beyond midnight but she never ignored the social responsibility which she had inherited from her father Sri Subramaniam Annavarjula. She always responded to social injustice with utmost sincerity- and she became the source of support for hundreds of needy students. But always she had a special place in her her heart for the Elderly- she was paying pension to a large number of senior citizens who were deprived of basic financial support. In 1998 she formed Annavarjula Subramaniam Memorial trust in the name of her beloved father - apart from various activities Care of the Elderly took lions share from her philanthropic facet of life. She started ‘Home Again… a home for the elderly’ with three inmates in a building by the side of her residence. It was inevitable as part of changes of priorities of children of modern society the number increased to twenty five - a responsibility much beyond imagination as most of them were sick elderly.

In 2012 she moved her Home Again to Sangankal to Chaitanya Enclave established in four acres of land with plenty of greenery and buildings in Vernacular architecture. This holy place has immense positive vibrations as it was inaugurated by Sri Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejavara Adhokshaja Mutt of Udupi. Sri Swamiji stayed in Krishna Sannidhi for a day performing Asthana pooja - prana pratistapana of the idol of Sri Krishna - visited Krishna Sannidhi every time he came to Ballari - a temple inside Chaitanya Enclave became the place of worship for a hundred elderly staying in Krishna Sannidhi. This place is not just a stay home for senior citizens but cares for the all round needs of elderly including long term assisted care centres which has 35 bed ridden unfortunate senior citizens. By this time Swamiii had become her mentor and Guru. Impressed by her dedication to the several causes of social responsibility Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji added one more responsibility by blessing her with Sharada Vidya Peetha - Ballari a school with 600+ students established twenty five years back -managed by Brahmins Education Trust which needed infusion of freshness to survive and develop. She became the Vice-President of BET, Swamiji being the President - within a year palpable changes were seen with new infrastructure- new building- increasing teacher staff strength - over all positive approach to teaching students with modern smart coating protocols and guidelines. Several organisations recognised the immense contributions of Nagaratna Annavarjula by felicitating her - she is bestowed with the title of Ballari Ratna by the citizens of Ballari- she was called Nari Ratna by late Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji. In 2016, the Government of Karnataka recognised the quality of care to the elderly by Krishna Sannidhi and awarded Kannada Rajyotsava Award for best managed elderly home. In 2020 Government of Karnataka recognised her all round contributions to the society in various forms and formats by awarding the prestigious Kannada Rajyotsava Prashasti - in deed highest honour to an achiever in Karnataka.
Nagaratna and Suyajna Joshi couple are blessed with three children. First son is a Neurosurgeon in Rush University- Chicago, daughter in law is a Neuro anaesthetist in the same Rush University Second son is popular Neuro Physician of Ballari, daughter in law is a talented Gynaecologist Daughter has completed Bachelor in Physiotherapy married and pursuing her career in Reno University USA.


The precepts in history and research in gerontology do not see ageing as a problem.

In India we are endowed with cultural constructs that venerate the ageing process itself and the aged in society.
Life in all forms is venerated;a fact that is indeed characteristic of the East as a whole.

For instance, the 'graduageing' Vedic ceremony celebrating man's birthday called the "shastipoorti",symbolizing the greening of the mind under the powerful benevolence of cosmic energy, the Sun.

ASM "Annavarjula Subramaniam Memorial Trust" a registered Trust have started a home for the aged -- HOME-AGAIN -- ensuring them shelter,food and peace.A.S.M Trust was formed in the year 1997and by Dr.A.Nagaratna and a group of like minded people with the humanitarian goal of giving the old a new lease of life filled with love and affection.A.S.M. Trust has taken upon itself the responsibility to look into the problems of Senior CitizenS in every walk of life.With this noble idea A.S.M. Trust started a home for the aged named 'HOME AGAIN' on 28.02.1998.. This is a non-governmental,non-political organization for creating a home again for the aged where caste and creed,community and religion will not be barriers to warmth, wantedness, sympathy and understanding.

'Where is Home Again Located'?

'HOME AGAIN' is located at 5-B,K.C.Road, Bellary,Karnataka,India.At the moment it is in a private building belonging to Dr.A.Nagaratna. There is place for fifteen inmates with all the basic facilities. There is a library for the Senior Citizens on the first floor. An oldage home should have a calm,pollutionfree environment and all other basic necessities just as any comfortable housing project.

It could be located in a rural or urban setting depending on the type of people expected to live in it.While some people may like quiet idyllic sorroundings, others may prefer an urban area where they have quick access to facilities to the city. Keeping these ideas in mind we have identified 3 acres of land in the village of SANGANKAL about 5 kilometers from Bellary where we have planned our future 'HOME AGAIN'.This will be completed in phases and it will be a self-sufficient, quiet and a pleasant place for the aged.

This area has a nonpolluted environment in the midst of plenty of trees and plants.Light,water and air are pure and pleasant round the year.

Design of 'HOME AGAIN'
'HOME AGAIN' is designed keeping in mind all the necessities of the aged persons.It has a dormitory type shelter,independent rooms and cottages. The rooms will be well ventilated. As much as possible all faciities in the home will be at the ground floor level.The upper floors will have a sloping ramp,which would also facilitate easy passage of wheel chairs when needed.

The toilets and bathrooms will have rough flooring so that the elders do not slip.Suitable railings will be provided for support. There will be an 'infirmary' where sick people needing short term treatment coluld be accomodated.

Facilities that will be provided in 'HOME AGAIN'
Recreational and reading facilities such as,TV,cable,video and a library.The extent of the physical activity of the residents can be taken care of with active sports such as tenis,table tennis and other activities.Indoor games like carrom,chess will be provided.

In today's context computers with Internet connections are more a necessity than an option especially to recieve and send e-mail to the near and dear. The ability to browse the world wide web will allow the residents to be informed and mentally active.

Working Team in 'HOME AGAIN'

  • 'HOME AGAIN' has an administrator who will    be responsible for the running of the home.
  • 'HOME AGAIN' has a basic staff such as    clerks,cashier - cum - accountant.Nursing    staff,attenders,maids and a cook for the    efficient running of an old age home.
  • A medical officer is there to attend to the    health needs of the inmates.
  • A nutritionist can play an important role by    providing special attention to the nutritional    requirements of the residents.At least a part    time nutritionist will be appointed.
  • A professionally qualified social worker is an    essential member of the team.
  • Nursing staff and health care workers trained    in Geriatric care will be appointed.

    Medical Care in 'Home Again'
    All medicines and medical accessories that may be needed for the treatment of the residents will be stored on the advice of a senior physician. For e.g:Oxygen cylinders, suction apparatus and intra-venous sets will be readily available.
    Drugs will be replaced periodically,considering their expiry date. Transport facilities will be available in case there is a need to rush them to the hospital for intensive care.

    We request philonthropists to donate generously so that our dream of providing a safe,compassionate 'HOME AGAIN' for the Senior Citizens will be a reality.All donations are exempt from income-tax under 80G. TOP

  • Click Here