The Hindu : Karnataka News : The first ‘eye donors’ village’ of the nation

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Wednesday, Dec 03, 2008
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Karnataka

The first ‘eye donors’ village’ of the nation

Rajiv Ajjibal

As many as 147 villagers of Mundigesar near Sirsi have pledged to donate their eyes

— FILE Photo: M. Periasamy

EXEMPLARY: Pledging one’s eyes is a humanitarian act.

Sirsi: Mundigesar, a village near Sirsi, was on Sunday declared the first “eye donors’ village” of the nation.

The occasion was the centenary celebration of the higher primary school of the village held on the premises of the Ganapati temple in front of the school.

As many as 147 villagers enlisted their names for voluntary eye donation, an exemplary act of human service. Thus the village, Mundigesar, including the adjoining tiny villages of Bellekeri and Abrimane, has become a trendsetter of sorts.

And, 40 people donated blood voluntarily. Blood group test was taken up for 247 persons. There was also a free medical health check-up camp.

All these were held under the aegis of The Totagars’ Seva Samiti Hospital, Sirsi, IMA, Sirsi unit, Dr. M.M. Joishi Netra Vijnana Samsthe, Hubli, Padmashree Dr. R.B. Patil Cancer Hospital, Hubli, TSS Rakta Nidhi, Sirsi, and Abri Fuels, Sirsi.

A unique thing about the programme was that there were no politicians and bureaucrats participating in it.

A member of the school alumni, Ganga Bhat (88), inaugurated the name plaque of eye donors and declared that a majority of the village are eye donors.

As many as 147 persons have registered their names for eye donation.

G.S. Hegde Kallabbe, a teacher who served the school in the 1970s, inaugurated Jnananidhi, a scheme under which donations will be used to buy computers, LCDs, projectors, books and the like. The Jnananidhi scheme list will be kept open always.

Gunaga Master, who served there in the 1960s, released a manuscript magazine, Hombelaku.

Ravi Hegde, who presided over the function, regretted the apathy of the politicians and officials who had ignored an important event such this.

K.C. Hegde, Suryanarayan Hegde and Vishwanath Sharma Nadguli spoke.

N. Hegde Balgandi welcomed the gathering. Jayadev Balgandi compered the programme. Nagaveni Hegde proposed a vote of thanks.

The eye donation scheme is open throughout the year and interested persons may register their names on Ph: 9242127798, 08384-227040.

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