To raise awareness for the need to eradicate preventable blindness, actress Khusboo was joined by over 300 children, opinion makers and high-level dignitaries in a poignant beach walk at Elliot’s Beach, Chennai on November 9, 2014. Organized for the first time in Chennai by India Vision Institute (IVI), the Walk in the Dark also drew attention on the importance of timely corrective action to avoid deterioration in vision and thus, declining productivity at the work space. “I See and I Learn†an initiative to provide glasses to under privileged school children was also launched.
Speaking on the occasion, Vinod Daniel, IVI CEO said that the over-whelming response to the walk has been highly encouraging. He was confident that the message of eradicating preventable blindness would receive wide publicity through the support and assistance of various stake-holders and civil society. ‘The productivity gains would be enormous and far-reaching,’ he said, emphasizing that its impact would be directly felt on India’s GDP especially with over ten crore Indians needing a pair of glasses but not being able to access it.
Popular actress Khusboo, who is known to champion a variety of social causes, said that she was personally delighted to participate in the awareness walk and to be associated with the project because of the change it can make in people’s lives.
Minnie Menon assured the project her continued support and said that it was important to recognize that a simple pair of glasses can help a person lead an empowered life and that Chennaites would extend their full support.
The Councilor of Palavakkam, Mr T Viswanathan, congratulated IVI for having taken the initiative to highlight such an important issue. He extolled the public to ensure that they regularly get their eyes checked and also hoped that more children would opt for optometry courses after their school.
Mr Stuart Campbell, Acting Australian Consul General said that the support of the Australian Government to IVI reflected the Australian Government’s commitment to partnering with India on developmental issues that had a tangible impact on the lives of people.
Postmaster General Mr Mervin Alexander, Madras High Court Judge Mr B. Rajendran and several other high level dignitaries joined the walk with students of the Saint Louis School for the Deaf and Blind (Adyar), Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School (Palavakkam), Shri Prakash Institute of Optometry, M N College of Optometry, Vasan Institute of Opthalmology and Research, SRM Institute of Optometry and the Jayendra Institute of Medical Sciences. The walk was supported by PayPal, Rane Madras and Adler Aerospace.
