Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Sep 7: "Eyes are the windows through which people see the world and hence, for them eyes are their world. Serving the eyes therefore is like serving the world. Institutions serving the area of eye care are expected to provide proper treatment to patients in view of their importance. Prasad Netralaya has been doing appreciable service in the field of solving eye-related issues," said Sri Sugunendrateertha Swamiji of Puthige Math here.
He was delivering benedictory address at the inaugural of 'Netra Jyothi College of Optometry and Paramedical Science', a sister concern of Prasad Netralaya here and Netra Charitable Trust, near national highway 66 at Ambalpady here on Wednesday September 6.
"Eyes do not lie, they always reveal the truth. A person's state of mind can be understood through his eyes. An eye acts like a meter of the mind. It works as a representative of one's mind. Serving such an eye is one of the most sublime duties," he explained.
Rajya Sabha member, Oscar Fernandes, speaking on the occasion, noted that in spite of the fact that India happens to be the second most populous country in the world, it gets eyes from Sri Lanka. "Every year, five lac accidents happen, accounting for about 1.25 lac lives. If their eyes are donated, we can successfully eradicate blindness. There is a need to spread knowledge and awareness about the need to donate one's eyes," he said, after inaugurating the college.
Medical director of Prasad Netralaya, Dr Krishnaprasad, said that his institution has distributed 3.70 lac spectacles free of cost to the needy and 24,000 free eye treatment procedures had been performed. He also revealed that over a lac eyes have been donated and free education is being given to poor students every year.
District in-charge minister, Pramod Madhwaraj, addressing the gathering, expressed happiness about the fact that Prasad Netralaya happens to be one of a few hospitals which have social concern ahead of the issue profitability when serving people. He appreciated the institution for providing high quality treatment to people besides giving quality education to students, qualities which need to be emulated by others. He said that in the absence of quality education, it will be impossible to face future challenges and asserted that maintaining high quality in education is the need of the hour.
Pro chancellor of Manipal University, Dr H S Ballal, inaugurated paramedical sciences college. Blossom Fernandes, chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation, M A Gafoor, Udupi Urban Development Authority chairman, Narasimhamurthy, senate member of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, U T Iftikar, Rotary district governor, Abhinandan Shetty, Kediyoor gram panchayat vice president, Usha, building owner, Muhammed Fazalulla Khasi, and director, Raghuram Rao, were present.
Balakrishna Muddody presented the programme. College principal, Poornima, proposed vote of thanks.