A special Eye Donation Awareness Program on the theme “One Pledge, One Sanskar, One Immortal Gift” was organized at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun. The Ophthalmology Department of Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital conducted a public awareness campaign under the ongoing Eye Donation Fortnight. As part of the 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight (25 August – 08 September 2025), Eye Donation Day was observed.
The program began in the hospital auditorium with a welcome address presented by Dr. Vatsala Vats. Afterwards, the lamp-lighting ceremony was carried out by the Director of Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences and the Chief Guest, Dr. Manoj Gupta, Dr. Puneet Ohri, Dr. Nidhi Jain, Dr. Rana Usmani, Dr. Tariq Masood, Dr. Tarannum Shakeel, Dr. Ashutosh, Dr. Sajeev, and Dr. Ashish.
Following this, the families of eye donors were honored for their generosity, which through eye donation has given new vision to many in need. Prof. Dr. Tarannum Shakeel, Head of the Ophthalmology Department and Director of Shri Mahant Indiresh Eye Bank, informed that the objective of such programs is to spread the message of eye donation widely among the public.
During the event, winners of the debate competition were also felicitated. Anandita secured the first position, Varsha the second, and Anish Singla the third. Nursing staff were also honored for their dedicated services. The nursing team regularly provides information about hospital deaths, enabling the eye bank team to counsel families for eye donation.
The Eye Donation Center at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital has been operating since 2012, selflessly serving patients suffering from corneal diseases. With the blessings of Shri Mahant Devendra Das Ji Maharaj, a full-fledged Eye Bank has also been established, benefiting the general public.
Prof. Dr. Tarannum Shakeel shared that through these programs, the Shri Mahant Indiresh Eye Bank strives to dispel prevalent myths around eye donation and motivate more people to join the cause. She further informed that corneal transplantation is performed free of cost for poor patients. Most of the collected eye globes were successfully utilized, benefiting numerous patients.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Dr. Tarannum Shakeel.
The highlight of the event was the felicitation of eye donor families, whose inspiration truly embodies the theme “One Pledge, One Sanskar, One Immortal Gift.