The Speaking Tree section of the Times of India described how Naga Sadhus actively participated in Eyebetes Foundation’s Undekha Eye Test. By becoming living vision charts, they spread a health message that reached far beyond ordinary campaigns. The coverage framed this as a spiritual and social awakening combined.
Eyelets Foundation, led by Nishant Kumar, is offering free diabetes and eye screenings, along with prescription glasses, at the Maha Kumbh. Leveraging the visibility of Naga Sadhus, the campaign is effectively spreading awareness about the importance of proper vision care to millions of pilgrims and police personnel.
Eyelets Foundation, founded by Nishant Kumar, is conducting a large charitable project at the Maha Kumbh where pilgrims and police personnel are being offered free diabetes screening, eye screening, free prescription glasses and sunglasses till February 24, 2025. Kumar said that the intention of conducting this large project at the Maha Kumbh was to help pilgrims visiting the Kumbh and serve the uniformed personnel working tirelessly there.
More importantly, they wanted to create awareness regarding diabetes and preventable blindness, particularly the need to wear glasses to get the best vision possible. While the perception is that cataract is the most common cause of blindness, the lack of correct prescription glasses is the most common cause of visual disability. After the age of 40, almost everyone requires glasses for reading. Today, reading is not just a purview of the rich and educated, but everyone is now glued to their smartphones, whether it is for news, financial transactions, entertainment, or even keeping in touch with loved ones. Without being able to see the smartphone, one is indeed disabled. Not wearing the correct presbyopic (need for reading) glasses will cause severe impairment to quality of life, which is something that Kumar wants to address. Providing free prescription glasses for distance, near, or both is the most cost-effective and non-invasive way to transform someone’s life. A simple intervention can transform mental health, physical health, and financial dependency and significantly improve one’s performance at work.
SOURCE: Times of India