Silchar Central Lions Eye Hospital for humanitarian services

Special Correspondent

Silchar: It was a mega foundation stone laying ceremony of Silchar Central Lions Eye Hospital and Institute of Ophthalmology attended by a galaxy of dignitaries and graced by the presence of a packed makeshift auditorium at Ramnagar, 5 km from here, on Saturday. After the felicitation of the dignitaries of home and outside and the lighting of auspicious lamp by them amidst the chanting of Vedic mantra, Nilanjan Gupta, president of Lions Club of Silchar Central, read out the welcome address, calling the occasion memorable.

It would be, Gupta said, a state-of-the-art Ophthalmology Specialty Hospital and a project of Lions Silchar Central Trust which after its completion would dedicate itself in human and social services in consistent with the Lions tradition. It would be a 250 bedded hospital, committed to provide affordable eye treatment for all sections of people. Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee, president of the Ophthalmology Association of Northeast, said it was the much needed project in the region as the eye problem ‘is increasing day by day’. In order to make the project useful, it needs all the necessary infrastructure that has to be raised through public donations. He expected the specialty hospital to become functional at the earliest.

A N Khandelwal, past president of Lions Club, gave a brief introduction of the club and its remarkable achievements with certain signature programmes like performing 70,000 surgeries and serving around 6 lakh people with eye problem since the initiation of the Lions Club since 1978. The most pioneering social work undertaken is of ‘mass marriage’ and till date 500 couples from weaker sections of society have been tied to nuptial knot. Presently, it is credited with the creation of 8 more Lions Clubs across the district of Cachar as well as the Leo Club of Youths. Tribeni Prasad Chakraborty, also a past president, said the club was also dedicated to research and academics for improvement and betterment of treatment methodology. The eye sight of a man is like a divine light and needs to be protected. He hoped with technical support from Shankar Dev Nethralaya, the Club would enhance its outreach activities. Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, S Lakshmanan, IAS, pointed out how number of people affected in their vision is increasing day by day. The foundation stone for the grand project is quite appreciable. It was his expectation that with compassion, skill and efficiency put together, the project will become people oriented.

M L Gupta, district governor, said the project would glorify the image of Lions Club while Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of Forest, likened Lions members to the king of forests, most honoured and endeared for their services to society. He assured help of his government for the project which when completed would serve not only the people of Barak Valley but of the neighbouring states of Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura as well as Dima Hasao district. V K Luthra, international director, opined the project would be of immense benefit to the people with cataract and other eye ailments and they would no more be required to go outside for treatment.

In one day, at the call of the most influential international director, Rs.1 lakh dollar was collected from the members and other benevolent donors. He called upon the Lions to serve the people “beyond the horizon”. Dr Naresh Aggarwal, chairman, Lions Clubs International Foundation, and chief guest of the day said it was the occasion for new thoughts and innovative ideas to make the services to people more scientific and result oriented. The dream that Lions see today will come true. He said action gladdens him as action is power. He quoted the former President of America, Roosevelt, who said, “Future belongs to those who believe in their dreams, realize their dreams.” Some are to take the lead and here are many to take the initiative for the great edifice to be built up, Aggarwal summed up.

Also Read: Cachar News