THE MISSION CONTINUES

Shanti Mandir’s commitment to helping restore vision for many poor villagers, blind with cataract impairments and disease, was again apparent with the successful organization and production of the 14^th Eye Camp in India’s Haridwar district. Over the last 9 years, in conjunction with the Ganga Mata Charitable Eye Hospital (GMCEH) and the Government Pensioners Welfare Organization (GPWO), 13 previous eye camps have been organized by Shanti Mandir. More than 9000 villagers have been treated for poor vision and over 1500 people have received surgery for the Intra Ocular lens transplant.  Through these Camps complete treatment, medicines, surgery and post-operative care, including boarding and lodging in the hospital, are provided free to the patients; all of these expenses are fully met by Shanti Mandir. Thus far, the success rate has been 100%! The appreciation and popularity of these Camps in this region is so pervasive that the neighboring district of Muzzaffar Nagar in the adjoining state of U.P. has now requested Shanti Mandir sponsored Eye Camp in their villages.

This is by no means a simple achievement but a divine accomplishment, made possible by the blessings of Swami Nityanandaji Maharaj, fondly known as Gurudev. His work has inspired a phenomenon of caring and service and he is the chief inspiration behind this massive movement for eradication of cataract blindness in the Haridwar District.

EYE CAMP SITE

The venue chosen for the 14^th Eye Camp held on Feb 8^th, 2006 was the Industrial Training Institute situated in Block Narsen, in the village of Gurukul Narsen - about 50 km from Haridwar. Gurudev was present to supervise the proceedings.  Accompanied by Sh. Madan Gopal Sharma and 18 other devotees, he reached the Campsite around 10:00 a.m. for its inauguration.  Sh. O.P. Bansal, Secretary GMCEH, Sh. Gupta, President GPWO and the Principal of ITI, Sh. Naresh Baliyan, warmly welcomed him upon his arrival and expressed their gratitude for his blessings and personal support.  The patients were already present in large numbers in anticipation of Gurudev’s darshan.

While inaugurating the Eye Camp, Gurudev gave advice and guidance to all those present.  He strongly encouraged the Villagers to ensure that every child in the village attends school and studies, completing at least up to class X. He said that by accomplishing this, the children can later develop artisan skills like welding or fittings, possibly learning to repair electronic gadgets - thus enabling them to earn their living doing useful work with their own hands. 

He also advised the patients suffering from High Blood Pressure and Diabetes to consult a qualified doctor and take appropriate medication so that the disorders can be brought under control. Once under control, these conditions will no longer be a deterrent for having the IOL transplant surgeries and they can then receive the full benefits of the Eye Camps.

After Gurudev thanked all the coordinating agencies for their support and cooperation in organizing the Eye Camp, the registration of patients and their medical examinations began.  The devotees of Shanti Mandir extended seva by helping the old and partially blind patients through the process and distributing prasad.

The Principal provided Gurudev with a tour around the ITI campus. This institute offers technical training in the area of welding, fitting, sewing and TV repair.  Presently about 140 students participate in the training programs. Gurudev, with his innate ability to arouse enthusiasm, created an atmosphere charged with compassion, love and motivation. Indeed, many of the students present were energized by Gurudev’s advice to do some work for their family, village and country - work which will bring not only material betterment, but also pride and additional confidence.

The registration continued until 5:00 p.m. In the end, 640 patients were registered. Those patients who were identified as cataract blind and ready for surgery were transported in batches to the hospital for the IOL transplants which occurred over the next 3 days. In total, 138 patients received the surgery. The other patients were treated at the Campsite and free medicines were distributed.

POST OPERATIVE CARE

The following day, Feb 9^th, Gurudev visited the Eye Hospital to personally bless the patients in the postoperative care unit. He also addressed the doctors and other para medical staff of the hospital, advising them to offer counsel to the patients on personal hygiene, cleanliness and ways they can take better care of the environment.  These issues are deeply important to Gurudev. Seemingly with each available opportunity, he repeatedly reminds everyone to sincerely participate in the drive to make our surroundings clean, to create positive changes in the natural environment, and to foster good health.  To be successful at creating any improvement – proactive individual as well as collective effort must be made.  All effort is essential, from bending down to collect a discarded plastic bag from the ground to teaching someone to better care for their health – all effort is vital.  Finally, Gurudev thanked the doctors and staff of the hospital for their committed support of the Shanti Mandir sponsored Eye Camps and he acknowledged their dedication and service in the important fight against blindness for those less fortunate.  

Sadgurunath Maharaj ki jai.