Over the years, with consistent 100% success rate in the Eye camps organized by Shanti Mandir, these camps are becoming known as  “Swamiji Wala Eye Camp” and local  villagers wait for these camps to be held in their villages.  The 16^th Rural Eye Camp was recently concluded successfully under the personal supervision of Mahamandeleshwar Swami Nityanandaji Maharaj, fondly known as, Gurudev, on 24^th Jan 07, in a rural town called “ Landhora”, about 30 Kms. from Haridwar.  The venue was “Rang Mahal” a 100 years old palace where the surviving members of the Royal family are still living.  A large multitude of village folks had already assembled at the venue for the medical treatment.  Gurudev reached the camp site at 9:15 A.M. for its inauguration.  This time he was accompanied with a large group of devotees from Gujrat and Maharashtra who were touring North India to propagate the teachings of Baba Muktananda, on the eve of his birth centenary.  A special feature of this contingent was a group of 21 young Sanskrit Students of “Shanti Vidya Mandir” who were greatly conspicuous by their uniform dress code of White Dhoti and Sky blue Kurta.

Upon his arrival, Gurudev was welcomed by Secretary and Doctors of Ganga Math Charitable Eye Hospital.  In this inaugural talk Gurudev explained to all the patients that GMCEH is well equipped with the latest medical and surgical equipments where the IOL transplant surgery shall be performed, free of cost.  All the patients who are identified as Cataract Blind shall be taken to the hospital and brought back to the village after the IOL transplant in the hospital van, without any charge.  Boarding and Lodging during the stay at the hospital shall also be provided free of cost.  So, maximum number of patients should avail of this opportunity.  Gurudev also advised the villagers and other old patients to observe cleanliness and basic hygiene in their daily chores and keep the surrounding clean, so as to minimize the occurrence of cataract blindness.

Thereafter the Eye Camp was declared open and registration process began which continued upto 2:15 P.M. In all about 658 no. of patients were registered out of which 92 no. patients were diagnosed as cataract blind and identified for IOL transplant.  30 patients were shifted to the hospital and operated upon on 24^th itself while the rest were shifted in 2 phases on 25^th and 26^th Jan.  Free medicines and Prasad was also distributed to all the patients who had registered in the Camp.

Gurudev also took a round of the camp along with all the 21 Sanskrit students and showered his blessing and grace to all the villagers.  Many of these villagers had attended the previous Eye Camps of Shanti Mandir.  We spoke to some of them for a direct feedback of their experience.  Given below are the experience of two such patients.

Balkishan is a small grocery shop owner who lost his vision in the left eye, about 5 years back.  Performing simple and routine tasks were becoming difficult and owning to his poor financial status, he could not afford any medical treatment.  In the 9^th Eye Camp organized by Shanti Mandir at same place on 17/09/03, Balkishan was identified as cataract blind and operated upon.  Since then his vision has considerably improved and he is able to manage his shop all by himself now.   However, for last 3/4 months, he sometimes suffered a blurred vision. So when he heard that Shanti Mandir is organizing yet another Eye Camp in his village on 24^th Jan.,07, he was overjoyed as he could get a free medical checkup by qualified doctors, at his doorstep.

This was indeed an opportunity God sent, for him.  He came to the camp site early and was examined by the Eye Surgeon who advised him to take care of his Eye by preventing its excessive exposure to sun and by using clean water for cleansing his eyes.  He was also prescribed medicines which were given to him free of cost.

While recalling his earlier experience with Shanti Mandir Eye Camp, he said that Shanti Mandir volunteers and the medical staff are extremely helpful and take good care of all the patients.

Name:	Ajgari
Age:	80 years
Regd. No.:	312
Date:	24.01.07
Village:	Godharona

Ajgari is a poor laborer who now spends her time in a small house with her family members.  She was operated upon her right eye in the 12^th Eye Camp organized by Shanti Mandir on 01.03.05 in the same village.  Since then her vision has returned to normalcy and now she is able to take care of herself without any assistance from other family members.  Ajgari is now a happier woman and advises other womenfolk of the village to attend Swamiji  Wala Eye camp for perfect and free medical treatment with free boarding and lodging in the hospital and free to and fro transportation.

When enquired about the post operative care that she received in the hospital, she fondly remembered that Swamiji had personally come to see her and other patients in the hospital Indoor patient ward after the surgery.  She felt extremely fortunate to have received his grace and blessings due to which she now, a much better person.

Gurudev’s mission is now in full swing and getting expanded every day.  Since all the financial support for this mission comes from Shanti Mandir, the donations from perspective donors are solicited. us join hands with Shanti Mandir in this holy mission of restoring the vision to these poor cataract blind patients. All donations can be sent directly to Shanti Mandir, Magod, Mahafalia, PO – Atul, Dist – Valsad, 396020 which is also deductible under section 80G of the income tax Act, 1961.