From the desk of VISION 2020 : AIOS Conference 2010 @ Kolkata

By Dr Rajesh Noah (rajeshnoah@vision2020india.org)
Executive Director, VISION 2020


VISION 2020 India, in collaboration with the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) and the Eyebank Association of India (EBAI), put up a display of posters, literature and leaflets along with audio-video material for ophthalmologists at the recently concluded AIOC 2010. The 68th annual conference of All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) and the 15th Afro Asian Congress of Ophthalmology (AACO) held at Science City Centre, Kolkata from 21st to 24th , 2010.

VISION 2020 INDIA stall at the AIOC-2010 in Kolkata was a very good opportunity to ensure convergence with AIOS, NPCB, and EBAI and showcase the good work being done by NPCB and other Non-Governmental agencies through display of posters, literature and distribution of leaflets as well as audio/video materials for ophthalmologists coming to the conference from all over the country.

It provided 200 visitors to discuss about the work done by VISION 2020 INDIA, NPCB and EBAI and obtain necessary materials for use in their areas of work. The stall presented a good platform to showcase the blindness prevention efforts of the government and the NGOs. The stall was a must-see for those who wanted information on NPCB activities and materials produced by them.

Posters on Eye Donation developed by NPCB as well as EBAI drew lot of attention from the visitors. All the visitors, many of them from the Govt. hospitals, were given information brochures.

The show-stealers:

1. Revised 2009 editions of the NPCB Guidelines for SHS & DHS
2. Revised 2009 edition of the NPCB Guidelines for NGOs
3. Revised 2009 edition of Standards of Eye Banking
4. Set of 4 CDs containing Audio-video materials on Eye Donation & awareness messages on other eye diseases
5. VISION 2020 INDIA Annual Planner
6. VISION 2020 INDIA 2010 Diary and Brochure

Suggestions
Seeing this over-whelming response to NPCB materials, NPCB might want to depute their State Team to work with us. The presence of NPCB will make a huge difference and a greater impact in effective IEC. This in turn will create more awareness about the program leading to higher confidence among the stakeholders to serve without any inhibition benefiting the community.

AIOS 2011 : Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The Ophthalmic Fraternity would be pleased to feel the presence of NPCB in a bigger way in the next AIOC annual conference in Ahmedabad in 2011.

The Case of Baby Anjali Nishad from Chhattisgarh

By Vasant Shendye (vshendye@sightsavers.org)
North India Area Office, Bhopal



Anjali Nishad is a 3 year old girl from Tora village [Simga block-Raipur district-Chhattisgarh]. When field worker from GRIHINI identified her [through Anganwadi worker] in the month of July 09, she was having tremendous pain in her left eye. Thus, she was first referred to CHC, Bhatapara. After examining her, Ophthalmologist referred her to Medical College, Raipur for further examination. It was then Anjali was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma [cancer in left eye] .

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a rapidly developing cancer which develops in the cells of the retina, the light detecting tissue of the eye. It usually develops in early childhood, typically before the age of 5.

Retinoblastoma is rare and affects approximately 1 in 15,000 live births.

In most children with retinoblastoma, the disease affects only one eye. However, one out of three children with retinoblastoma develops cancer in both eyes. Most children are diagnosed before the age of five years old, as in the case of Anjali too. Retinoblastoma is often curable when it is diagnosed early. However, if it is not treated promptly, this cancer can spread beyond the eye to other parts of the body. This advanced form of retinoblastoma can be life-threatening. The first priority is to preserve the life of the child, then to preserve the vision and thirdly to minimize any complications or side effects of the treatment. The exact course of treatment depends on the individual case.

In case of Anjali, she underwent an operation on 8th August 2009, where her left eye ball with the tumor was completely removed [Enucleation] and her life was saved before the spread of tumour. This space will soon be replaced by an artificial eye.


Her parents have taken her for 2 subsequent follow ups and now there are no complaints.

The Driving Force: GRIHINI

GRIHINI, the CBR partner has constantly given support to her parents in terms of counseling and referral. By early identification, quick referral and by providing constant support, GRIHINI has done a comendable task.
GRIHINI is a voluntary non-profit making organization established in the year 1996 that promotes social development through community based organizations. Its is working with the theme of empowering women through livelihood, health, nutrition and education based interventions.

GRIHINI initiated a CBR and IE project with the support of Sightsavers in the year July 2008 in Simga block of Raipur district.


According to the recently concluded population based survey (2000-2001), prevalence of blindness in the state of Chhattisgarh is 1.6 % i.e. approximately 3.3 million people are blind in the state of Chhattisgarh. GRIHINI is one of the recent partners of Sightsavers in the state of Chhattisgarh.

Right to Read

By Ketan Kothari (kkothari@sightsavers.org)

South India Area Office, Mumbai

30th January is a day of great significance in the history of India. It is the death anniversary of India’s father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi and also the martyrs’ day. But this year was special for print impaired community.

Saturday afternoon in Delhi was pleasant and pregnant with hope. The International Book Fair was being inaugurated at Pragati Maidan. We had chosen this occasion to be the apt time for a major launch of “Right to Read”.

Several organizations came together and proclaimed to the world that all print impaired people all over India have the right to read all the literature the very day it was published. Their choice was no longer to be governed by organizations that converted the literature in accessible formats.

I along with Ranjish Kattady represented Sightsavers at this launch.

The afternoon began with a skit proclaiming the right in the loudest terms. After this, people were invited to present their views.

I told the audience that we must insist that we should get to read all the literature and Government should make it sure that our right to read is protected. In fact, as per Article 21 of our constitution, we have already been guaranteed this right as it enunciates right to Life with dignity.

Many blind and visually impaired people repeated this. Dr. Sam Taraporevala told the gathering that more than 550 authors and 40 publishers cutting across linguistic borders have consented to convert their literature in accessible formats.

A panel discussion took place with Sagarika Ghose, a famous TV anchor moderating it. Christopher Friend gave an overview of Global Right to Read campaign and informed the audience about the various efforts taking place across the globe to get the publishers on our side.

WIPO treaty was also mentioned. It was shocking that publishers were harping on their fear of piracy whereas there is no evidence to suggest that we are responsible for it. Javed Abidi hammered the publishers that it is sad that such simple changes require legal interventions.

It was a great afternoon.

When we parted, we were sure that we shall overcome all the hurdles and get the right that we deserve. This was one of many struggles that we may have to undertake to get what we want.

CII Seminar On Banking Access for Visually Challenged: 7th Jan, 2010

Ketan Kothari, SIAO

The year 2010 seems to have dawned with a lot of hope for persons with disabilities especially those with visual disabilities. The year began with an important meeting that took place at the auditorium of ICICI. No lesser person than the CEO of ICICI Ms. Chanda Kocher was the Chief Guest at this event. Many private and nationalized banks were represented at this event. Sabitra Kundu, Programme Manager, and Shrinivas Sawant, Area Director, South India Area Office and I , represented Sightsavers International. The mandate of the event to discuss how to make banking services accessible to the visually challenged. The event was organized by Chambers of Indian Industries (CII).



The event commenced with an inspiring welcome by Mr. Ram Vaidya of CII. Ms. Kocher spoke about the need for inclusive banking to take into account the needs of the disabled community. She reminded all that it was ICICI that for the first time installed a “talking ATM” way back in 2003 and promised that the bank would take more steps to provide more and more facilities to its disabled customers.

Mr. Amitabh Kumar of SBI gave a detailed account of the initiatives taken by his bank to make all services of banking accessible to the visually challenged customers. I spoke the difficulties faced at the ground level in spite of the fact that RBI has issued guidelines for accessible banking services. I also emphasized the fact that unless effective measures are taken and all the stakeholders informed of these meetings will become a mere eating house.

Dr Sam Taraporevala and Prashant Naik of Xavier Resource Centre for Visually Challenged demonstrated a software based solution for verification of cheques called “ESign”. It was meant to verify cheques using fingerprints. This is the safest since forging of fingerprint is impossible .

Ms. Kapur of ICICI informed the meeting of the steps taken by the bank to improve accessibility for the visually challenged clients.

In the end, a discussion took place wherein various suggestions were put forth and it was agreed that action points will be worked upon so that the meeting would be of real value. However, I was quite disappointed to see that many bankers were not aware of very simple technology and some of them still spoke with condescension.

Glimpse of Mumbai Marathon : 17th Jan 2010

Hi All,

Just a glimpse of Mumbai Marathon...From Sightsavers 12 people participated in Dream Run Category ( 6 kms) with one lucky draw entry on the final day...

Any guess...Here is a clue, this die hard marathon fan got the bib at the ninth our at VT station, though he had come to cheer us up...for answer scan the last snap...
This is the starting point (holding area) for the race. Good times partner Kingfisher organized fancy dress competition. The issue of "climate change" received the first prize.

Fund raising event amidst the race (for village schools)


Throughout the route, there were live bands playing fantabalous music to refresh the runners. Towards the ending point, Radio Mirchi jockey was giving live updates.


Sightsavers team meeting with cheer leaders...Shrinivas, Siddhant (Little Shrinivas Ji), Jerome (extreme left, John's son) and Sheryn (extreme right, John's Daughter).

Wondering where is Emily, Ketan, Bhavana and Vasant...then don't miss to check MEC blog tomorrow.

BTW the lucky runner was Sabitra :)

The Joy of Sharing

Ketan Kothari, SIAO

Wednesday 9th December was a very pleasant day and the evening air was just about pleasant. December chill was not at all in the air. The day was made warm by the fact that I was in Chembur to attend the award presentation ceremony of NSEOH. Prof. M. S. Raju of VisionAid, Vishakhapattanam was one of the recipient. (Dr. Rohit Trivedi another of our partner was also one of the winner, though he was absent).


Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari was the Chief Guest and Lion Rajiv Manwani was the Guest of Honour.After the initial formalities, several awards were presented. It was joyous to be present where one of our partners was felicitated.

But the climax of the function came when Justice Dharmadhikari started his address. One of the legal luminaries, Justice Dharmadhikari was very eloquent at the ripe age of 82. His speech was an eye-opener and in fact that speech has prompted me to pen down my reflections.

He narrated 2 incidences that occurred in his life. In the first instance, he told us about his experiences of working as Chairman of a school for the blind. He said that his experience as very painful and that experience made him resign his position. He said that he had returned a box of sweets which was donated by a rich villager on the occasion of his mother’s death. Justice Dharmadhikari was very happy that he had done the right thing. But alas! The next day a few of the students approached and enquired of him if he had returned some sweets. He answered in the affirmative and said that he did not want his students to be looked as pitiful individuals but wished that they should be treated normally. But one of the students poignantly asked him, “Sir, you have deprived us of our sweets forever; we come from poor families and do you think anyone would ever come and donate sweets to blind children on festive occasions? We shall never get to eat sweets again.” Justice Dharmadhikari thought that the society has not treated disabled equally and he resigned his post with deep sadness.

On another occasion, while visiting an asylum in Bangalore on account of his mother’s mental problems, he observed several children stoning the patients and enjoying. He was very sad. The supervisor asked him, “You are young like these kids; why don’t you join the fun?” He answered “I cannot have such fun; one of the patients happen to be my mother”.

He was of the opinion that we should share our joy and the pain of the disabled. Joy increases with sharing and pain gets divided. He as very critical of “frozen relationships” that we live in cities like Mumbai.

It is a very timely thought; we must mean inclusion when we talk of it. We must not treat the disabled as “they” and the others as “us”. We must all stop treating the disabled as “animals in the zoo”. Let us pledge that we will come forward and be at least good listeners to allow disabled to give vent to their frustration and also to share in their small joys.

Dhaka Conference : 7th - 8th Jan, 2010

Shanthakumari Gopal, NEAO

The paper I have written on “Sightsavers Inclusive Education programme in India” got selected for the presentation at the International Conference on “Child Friendly Inclusive Education 2010” organized by Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka. Although the conference committee informed me about the selection of my paper much in advance, yet the decision was taken to attend the conference was on the last minute. That was, while returning from SHIS project area (Sunderbans) and enjoying a windy boat ride with Shweta on 5th Jan, it was decided that I am going to Dhaka.

Neverthelesss, I had all the good lucks at my end + the supports of my colleagues which made me to be available at conference hall just 20 minutes before my presentation starts. Later I realized, how much I might have had missed if I had not have gone for it. Had a wonderful time with our colleagues of Bangladesh Country Office (BCO) and Dr Bhusan Punanai, gaining new learning and perspectives.

Sightsavers BCO was among one of the sponsor of the conference alongwith Save the children, Plan and British Council. We met with the programme people from Sightsavers BCO and PCO. The country director Mr Wahidul Islam, also gave speech in the inaugural session. The BCO team really appreciated our inclusive education work over the decades as their education projects are relatively new (2004). Sightsavers BCO had also exhibited IEC materials and assistive devices. No matter how much we wanted to attend each other's presentation, coincidentally, mine, Shweta's and Dr Punani's presentation were scheduled under parallel sessions on Day 1 itself. However, we managed to attend the presentation of BCO by Rifat and Nusrat on Day 2.

(L to R: Shantha, Rifat, Dr Punani, Zakia, Nusrat, Shweta)

In the evening, enjoyed a cultural programme depicting the history of Bangladesh and that was the end of our visit to "Sonar Bangla".

Experience of WSD at Delhi ……..

By Shanthakumari Gopal
gshantha@sightsavers.org

It was then, Prasannaji entered into the room, giving his mobile to me, asking…. talk to her. Surprisingly at the other end was Elizabeth Madam, within a fraction of second I could realize I was at the peak of excitement, of course the content of the discussion made me to that level of excitement!! At the end she asked me, Shantha, could you suggest someone who could help us in setting a context for the gender discussion during the world sight day of Vision 2020. Immediately tried recollecting couple of names but in such an excitement I couldn’t even get people’s exact names that I know very personally…. strangeJ.

Later on, forwarded few names that I felt would be ideal for this sort of events. Almost a week passed, unexpectedly, one day received a mail from RD informing me, prepare a ppt on a given topic and you could present it during the WSD event in Delhi. It was a great surprise for me. In fact I had been dreaming to get an invitation to attend the event, vested interest is to get a chance to listen my favorite gender expert’s (whom I suggested) deliberations. Never dreamt I would myself get the chance to present the topic.
Looking at the given topic I was then interested to do it on my own, more than me my colleagues out here encouraged me, saying I could add value to the event!

Throughout the process of developing the ppt, we had lots of discussions within our team, however, Prasannaji and I felt strongly that major part of the presentation should focus clarifying the concept of Gender rather than focusing on technical aspects of eye care and we agreed upon.

The day has come, reached Delhi at around 9 pm on 6 Oct 09. Having waited considerable time at the Airport, managed to trace the taxi, in which the next day’s moderator Dr Shetty had been waiting for more than an hour. With lot of embarrassment got into the taxi and formally introduced myself. By the time finished our introduction we already reached the huge army campus “IDSA”.

As soon as entered the lobby, met Paritosh (from one of our partner), his first response was, so, finally you are the one going to present the topic on Gender, he continued… you know we have listed nearly 21 members for this topic starting from Shobha De (the eminent novelist)!! and your name was last in the list. On the process of finalization, seems my name as the only name stayed back, thus I got the wonderful opportunityJ

When I met Dr Ghose (the chief of RP Centre) his immediate response was, no..no ………this face is not familiar to me in Sightsavers”, then he turned to me and asked, when is Elizabeth expected to the workshop? Which hinted me, it’s his strategy to confirm whether I am from the same Sightsavers which he has been closely associated and known very personally for years. My response might have made him to convince I am from the same Sightsavers!

7 Oct 09, the day was set to begin, it was nicely arranged compact hall with the capacity of around 200 -250 chairs. At a surprise George, Akbar and Prabhat were there, saying, “We three of us have come to give you the full support Shantha, very sweet of themJ.

The main session started where I was the 2nd speaker, as my time was nearing, could feel a small butterfly flying inside the stomach!!. Reason is, although Gender is one of my favorite and a subject very close to my heart, since then preparing the ppt I was bit worried how to put things in 10 mints time. Most of the time people fail to give clarity and the gender sessions ends up with blame games!!. The several Gender sessions I have facilitated during my carrier, sessions always gone beyond hours, where I was comfortably managed to convey the message I wanted.

Finally, my presentation went for nearly 20-25 mits, after the presentation there was a loud response and reactions – in a positive manner which showed people got some strong message from the presentation. Over all it was an amazing experienceJ.

As soon as I was back, got the first message from the tired-less moderator Samvaad, so the lady is back to office…. will you write something about your experience? Shweta sent the message. In one of the mail from Archana, she said, waiting to hear your experience. Thus I made up my mind to write this.

I take this opportunity to send a message herewith, as this is need of the hour; we have to seriously reflect the proportion in which our services are reaching men and women. The simple mathematics is (as per the prevalence rate among women and men 74%-26%) every 26 men we treat for cataract, we need to proportionately treat 74 women……………………..

Another amazing experience, meeting the Ambassador Smt.Hema Malini which was too good!

Thank you for reading…..

White and Red Independence

By Ketan Kothari
kkothari@sightsavers.org

Every year, on October 15 I am reminded that in spite of the fact of being blind, it is still possible to go miles. White cane which is a constant companion has ensured that we are able to achieve almost everything that we desire. Of course, the significance of white cane cannot be exaggerated.

However, the cane as we know was not the same in the years gone by. It was only in the 20th century that the cane has acquired the shape that we see today. In 1921 one James Biggs claimed to have invented the cane in its present state. In 1930’s, with the support of lions movement the white cane became more popular amongst the blind in Europe and the United States. However, at the end of World War II the importance of the cane grew as many war blinded veterans returned and needed support. In 1950’s Dr. Richard Hoover initiated the “Hoover method of walking” which is even prevalent today.

There was a great demand in the USA in 60’s to designate 15 October as “White Cane Safety Day” and on 6 Oct. 1964 American congress passed a resolution which resulted in President Johnson declaring 15 Oct. as “White Cane Safety Day”

Why white? This has been a question that many people have been asking. White is visible in the dark and ensures safety for the blind while they are negotiating the traffic.

Why Red? Red is the colour that is a signal to stop so if a blind pedestrian is walking on the road, the traffic slows down or even stops.

We are all very proud of our white cane as it not only enables to travel independently but also signifies our independence and gives us confidence to travel all over the place and achieve whatever we wish. Sometimes I say “if all desert, I can still survive but without my cane, I am helpless.

Diwali Glitter is Here!

We wish you all very happy diwali.