The essential characteristic of the world of the Blind or visually impaired is darkness in varied degrees. How well do we, the sighted, comprehend this world? What is it like to dance, sing, laugh, eat and cry in the dark? Prevention of Blindness Week, observed during the first week of April, highlights the key needs and efforts to address the challenges confronting visual impairment in the country.
Activities as part of Prevention of Blindness Week
The Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and The Eye Foundation’s planned activities during the forthcoming week, however, promise a lot more and are a cause for cheer:
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On April 13th & 14th, the World Cup Champions of T20 Blind Cricket, India, will play Australia in a two day series. This is a friendly match being played in India before the Australian team takes on Sri Lanka in a bilateral series.
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On April 12th, Samarthanam and The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) present a cultural extravaganza featuring SUNADHA, (Samarthanam’s cultural wing) at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road. Youth & children with disabilities will take centre stage.
How do you see a game of cricket that’s played in the dark? In a different light.
Team India playing against Sri Lanka
When it comes to cricket, what’s the difference between seeing and believing? The sound of it.
What do you call a blind man with a cricket bat on a pitch? A batsman.
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Match Schedule
| Itinerary of India-Australia T-20 Cricket Series for the Blind | ||||
| Date | Match | Time | Venue | |
| April 13th | 1st Match – India vs Australia | 11.00 AM | KSCA Alur Ground | |
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2nd Match – India vs Australia | 11.00 AM | PES College, Electronic City | |
Creating awareness to make the ‘Right to Sight’ a reality
Together Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and The Eye Foundation believe that awareness can go a long way in preventing blindness because a good number of instances of blindness can be prevented at the community level itself by early appropriate treatment. Both the institutions have partnered and are keen on working closely with under-served communities in and around Bangalore for early identification of ophthalmological issues and community level treatment by conducting mobile eye screening and training camps.
Addressing a Press Conference at the Press Club on April 7th organised by Samarthanam and The Eye Foundation, Founder Managing Trustee and General Secretary of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India Mr. G K Mahantesh highlighted the details of the events and also the urgent need to make “The Right to Sight a reality.” He observed that India has nearly 10 million blind people, and emphasised the critical importance of inclusive education, architecture, health and employment to address these lacunae.
Renowned Corneal transplantation Cataract and Refractive Surgeon and Centre Head of The Eye Foundation, Bangalore, Dr Sean da Silva, emphasised that the vast majority of the world’s blind live in developing countries, where infections, malnutrition and lack of eye care give rise to a high proportion of blindness, particularly in rural populations. “Thus these countries have blindness rates that are 10-40 times greater than those of industrialised countries, where blindness is due mainly to degenerative and metabolic disorders related to ageing.” Dr da Silva also explained the activities of The Eye Foundation, a comprehensive eye care solutions provider with a signature presence across six centres in South India.
About Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled:
Registered as a Trust in 1997, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled has been working towards creating education and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities and from under-served communities. The larger vision of the organisation is to work towards an inclusive society which provides equal opportunities for all. More details can be found on their website: www.samathanam.org
Fore more details, contact Ashish Sen, Director Communications on 9986211131 or Kameswari Devi Kumar, Manager Communications on 9480809588.
Email: ashish_sen@yahoo.com, ashishchandrasen@gmail.com, kameswaridevikumar@gmail.com
About The Eye Foundation:
The Eye Foundation has built a robust research and academic arm to ensure that quality eye care remains cutting edge. The academic wing of the hospital trains doctors, optometrists and paramedical staff. The intense training helps the organisation impart technical skills and ensure that the values and beliefs are carried through. The Eye Foundation also organises a number of rural and urban slum community outreach Eye screening and treatment camps. More details can be found on their website www.theeyefoundation.com
For more details, email Dr. D. Ramamurthy – Vice President, AIOS or Dr. Sean da Silva – Centre Head on Bengaluru@theeyefoundation.com.
Helpline number: 9972033005