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”. It is the divine power of Bhagwan Nityananda and Baba Muktananda, blessings of Gurudev and compassion of the devotees which makes these camps different from other camps.

The 18^th Rural Eye Camp was recently concluded successfully under the personal blessings of Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityanandji Maharaj, on 12^th March, 2008, at ITI, Gurukul Narsen, Manglore, about 50 Kms. from Haridwar. So far 17 such eye camps have been organized with the assistance of Ganga Mata Charitable Eye Hospital & Research Centre (GMCEH) of Haridwar and Government Pensioners Welfare Organization (GPWO) OF Roorkee. ITI, the venue, is a institute which offers technical training in the area of welding, fitting, sewing and TV Repair to about 200 students.  

On March 12^th, Gurudev reached the campsite around 10a.m. for its inauguration. Devotees from Australia, Argentina and Spain who were on the North India Yatra accompanied him. Many devotees from Delhi and other cities of North India accompanied Gurudev for participation and to help in conducting the camp. Shri O.P. Bansal, Secretary GMCEH, Shri Gupta, President GPWO and Shri Naresh Baliyan, Principal of ITI welcomed Gurudev. They expressed their gratitude to him for his blessings and personal support. He was also greeted by Dr. Sumeet Jain, a retina specialist and Dr. Kumud Garg from the eye hospital. The patients had already gathered in very large numbers and were waiting for Gurudev’s darshan. A large number of students of ITI were joined in as volunteers for extending help to the aged patients.

 In his inaugural speech, Gurudev advised the students of ITI to learn the trade with hard work and diligence and have faith in God. He also advised the villagers to maintain cleanliness and sanitation around their place of living and to eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet. He encouraged each villager to contribute in keeping the entire village neat and clean including the maintenance of their cattle. Gurudev said that if we have to improve the overall condition of the country, then all of us need to contribute in improving the basic amenities such as health care and primary education in the villages of India which house more then 70% of the population. Finally he thanked the Eye hospital, Pensioners Welfare Organization, principal of the institute and the students for rendering their services and support to Shanti Mandir in organizing the eye camp.

So far Shanti Mandir has been organizing two eye camps every year. Due to the high quality and success of the Shanti Mandir camps, each year there is a request from the Pensioners Welfare Organization and villagers for more camps. This year too, they made the same request.  In honor of Baba’s birth centenary celebrations, which are concluding in May 2008, Gurudev accepted this request and announced that an additional eye camp will be organised in May, 2008. This is indeed a special gift to the poor villagers as a mark of remembrance and respect to Baba.

Soon after the inaugural function the OPD registrations began and continued upto 2 pm. In all about 575 patients were registered and medically examined by the team of doctors till the evening out of which 125 patients were diagnosed as cataract blind while the rest of the patient were given free medicines.

Shanti Mandir devotees extended their help and seva in various activities of the eye camp. Prasad was offered with love to all the patients by two Australian devotees. Those identified as fit cases for IOL transplant surgery were later shifted to the hospital in ambulance in batches. In the next 3 days all the 125 patient were admitted and operated upon for intra ocular lens transplant in the hospital. During their two days stay in the hospital, all the boarding and lodging were provided to the patients as well as their family member who stayed on as attendants, free of cost. After their two day post operation care they were discharged from the hospital and shifted back to the village in the ambulance.

This year again, the camp was funded through sponsorship of Qwaruba Seva Foundation, which is founded by Adinath Tambellini a devotee of Baba Muktananda in honor of his wife Dianne Coroneos who passed away on October 7, 2004. As Adinath said, “This financial gift is from Dianne, in her and Baba’s honor.” A special message sent by Adinath was also publicly read out to all.

With the conclusion of the 18th eye camp, so far a total 11,730 patients have been examined and treated in Shanti Mandir Eye Camps, out of which 2089 patients have been operated upon for I.O.L. transplants and had their eye sight restored. Any one can become a partner in this cataract blindness eradication mission being spearheaded by Shanti Mandir in the rural areas around the holy city of Haridwar.   No other charitable organization or society in Haridwar has ever taken this challenge before Shanti Mandir, which is well acknowledged for its contribution towards this noble cause.  Donate generously to support this mission and enjoy the satisfaction of having provided eyesight to those who are not otherwise able to avail such facilities.  For details regarding all donations please contact smlakshmi@frontiernet.net or smandir_ind@vsnl.com

Sadgurunath Maharaj Ki Jai!