Phagwara diary: Campaign against corneal-blindness

On the 36th National Eye Donation awareness fortnight being organised from August 25 to September 8, state awardee Dr Ramesh, MD Ophthalmology, launched a nation-wide campaign to sensitise young eye specialists and doctors pursuing post-graduation course in ophthalmology, regarding the problems of corneal blindness, its treatment and the role of doctors in making the country corneal-blindness free. Punjab Minister of Medical Education and Research OP Soni flagged off a Punarjot Eye Donation awareness vehicle — ‘Sukoon ka safar’ — which will be a symbolic invitation to nation’s budding ophthalmologists to come forward for the noble cause of eye donation. Dr Ramesh said they were working for the cause from the past three decades and providing free of charge corneal transplant surgeries to all patients. More than 1.5 lakh prizes in the form of medical books, surgical instruments will be given to ophthalmology students to honour their involvement.

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Celebrating Rakhi with visually-impaired

In a noble gesture, the Phagwara Sarwa Naujawan Sabha celebrated the Raksha Bandhan with visually-impaired women inmates of Guru Nanak Mission Old-Age Home for blind people. President of the organization, Sukhwinder Singh, said they had been celebrating the festival with the women inmates of the home for the past few years. Gifts, clothes and pizza were served among the inmates by Good Samaritans. Both, the administration and police officials, joined hands with the sabha and participated in the event.

Youths to the aid of needy at Civil Hospital

The district-based Youth Voice Foundation is providing free food at the Phagwara Civil Hospital to nearly 150 needy patients and their kin. The members said the foundation would carry on with other social works for the needy in the coming days. Gagandeep Singh Dhatt, president of the foundation, appreciated the efforts of all contributors and volunteers. “It is due to the selfless efforts of everyone that we have come so far,” said Dhatt.

Stranded truckers offered food

While farmers from across the region didn’t allow truck-drivers and transporters to cross the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway, as part of their protest against less SAP on sugarcane, pictures of farmers offering food to stranded truck drivers and commuter melted hearts of many on the Social Media. The inter-state truck drivers, who were stuck on the highway, were also offered space to rest at the farmers’ tents erected on the highway. TNS