Dr. Anita Sanyal of Ganga Mata Hospital spoke at the inauguration of the camp in Kankhal. She said, "I welcome you all on behalf of Ganga Mata Trust and Staff of Ganga Mata Eye Hospital to this august gathering for a most holy purpose - of restoring vision and of restoring human dignity. Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya - literally means from darkness to light - a phrase so appropriate whether it implies the state of restoration of vision from blindness or the state of enlightenment form ignorance.

Ganga Mata Charitable Eye Hospital and Research Institute, is a brainchild of Mr. L. R. Goyal, our secretary, In just 5 years it grew from a barren piece of land into its present status - a GIANT SAPLING. Equipped with the latest state of art instruments and equipment, it is one of its kind in this part of India giving basic and specialized eye care. It caters to patients from places far and wide around the Garhwal region. The surgeries conducted in the hospital are - cataract, glaucoma, sac surgeries, intraocular lens implantation's, corneal grafting, surgery for squint and other minor operations. We also have an Eye Bank that was established in 1994 and are a member of the Eye Bank Association of India. Corneal graftings are carried out for patients who have corneal opacities which means whiteness on the transparent cover glass of the eye - an operation that is a very gratifying experience. Till date about 130 corneal graftings have been successfully carried out.

Mr. Gregory Campbell from Perth, Australia brought IOL's for free implantation to saints and other poor people who cannot afford such a luxury. Who inspired him? His guru - Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityanandaji Maharaj. Some years ago when Swamiji was on a visit to Perth Australia, he expressed his desire to Gregory of helping the poor and blind in this swell way. Gregory found out the cost of IOLs and decided it was beyond him. Swamiji came back some months later and reiterated his desire. Again Greg went around trying to find out a way. The power of influencing others minds and the course of events is a vibhuti or a yogic power and is mentioned in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and Swami Nityanandaji did it.

Greg spoke with the Fred Hollows Foundation who agreed to arrange the IOLs at the lowest possible cost. Friends and philanthropists started pouring in seemingly small insignificant amounts. These small drops collected to form an ocean. Greg managed to buy no mean a number - 600 intraocular lenses and came all the way from Australia to Haridwar and saw them being implanted into the eyes of deserving people. Your objective is basically fulfilled Sir, and I do hope our working has been the way you envisioned it.

An intensely felt THANK YOU, Swami Nityanandaji Maharaj, personally and on behalf of the hospital for this chance of being the chosen ones and for your blessings for the smooth progress of the IOL camps."

In the two months from mid January to mid-March, 1998 at the Eye Camps about 2,000 rural poor and sadhus were examined by doctors, including Dr. Jayant Desai from New York who generously donated his time and resources. A total of 269 were found to be cataract-blind and were operated on that day or the next, their sight restored within 48 hours of a 30 minute operation. A further 550 were found to have other eye diseases such as retinal infections that were treated immediately or glaucoma for which provision was made for treatment.

Shanti Mandir wishes to thank the Late Mr. L. R. Goyal, Dr. Anita Sanyal and the staff at Ganga Mata Hospital whose assistance made this a fulfilling experience for all of us. We also would like to thank everyone for their generous donations which helped in making these camps a great success. It has encouraged us to continue organizing future camps and look forward to your continued support. the heart and soul.