At the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Eyebetes Foundation launched a never-seen-before eye care awareness drive. In partnership with Naga Sadhus, they transformed the Sadhus’ bare backs into living vision charts, painted with bold letters to check eyesight. The spectacle not only surprised devotees but also drew attention to diabetes and its link to blindness, a health issue that remains neglected in India. Thousands of pilgrims lined up to get their eyes tested, and more than 50,000 pairs of spectacles were distributed free of cost. The camp provided both vision screenings and diabetes checks, combining faith, culture, and medical awareness in one powerful message.
Aimed at promoting better vision, the Naga Sadhus of Maha Kumbh tied up with a non-profit organisation, which adopted a unique initiative to check attendees’ eyesight. A massive camp has been set up by the organisation, which requires those opting for screenings to read alphabets written on the backs of the sadhus.
Manned by more than 100 personnel, the camp offers free eye screenings and has distributed over 50,000 pairs of sunglasses to those in need. The services started on February 10 and will continue till the end of Kumbh on the 26th.
Pictures showed several Hindi alphabets written on the backs of the sadhus in the classic pyramid style that is noticeable at a doctor’s chamber when one goes for eye check-ups.
The camp has been set up by Eyebetes, a charitable organisation dedicated to creating awareness about diabetes and preventable blindness. It is located at the Sangam site, and will offer free screening for diabetes and other common causes of preventable blindness.
“Physical and spiritual health are deeply linked in religious practice. Supporting this cause was an act of good for the countless devotees on their spiritual journey,” a spokesperson for the Naga Akhara said.
“Our studies have found that over 60 per cent of Indians in need of glasses go without them, and 60 per cent of pre-diabetics or early diabetics remain undiagnosed. Both these figures are correlated, and a lot needs to be done to prevent complications arising from these conditions. Over the duration of the mela, we are offering free tests to everyone who comes to our camp at the Maha Kumbh mela,” Dr Nishant Kumar of the Eyebetes Foundation said.
Nearly 100 million diabetic Indians are at risk of various complications linked to diabetes, including vision loss. The camp is aimed at catering to numerous people given the Maha Kumbh is visited by crores of people.
SOURCE: India Today