More than 500 people from all walks of life, including college students, took part in the Blind Walk organised in the town on Thursday noon.
The programme, organised by Project Vision, a Bengaluru-based NGO, was held to create awareness among the public on the significance of eye donation.
Close to 1,200 people walked blindfolded nearly a kilometre on the day at three different places in the district, led by visually challenged persons.
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“I was totally confused and scared around first five minutes as darkness was everywhere, even under the scorching sun. It was a challenging experience even after I got adjusted to the darkness. I can now understand the pangs of a visually challenged person and the event taught me to see the challenge in a different perspective,” says Johnny Pattani, president, Wayanad Chamber of Commerce, who walked blindfolded on the NH 766 here.
The event was flagged off by Wayanad RTO M.P James. The participants also took an oath that they would donate their eyes after their death. Biju James, Enforcement RTO, administered the oath.
George Kannanthanam, director of the NGO, said though 30 lakh people in India suffered from corneal blindness that could be cured by eye donation, not many were coming forward. Nearly 40,000 corneas were being collected every year against the demand of 30 lakh, he said.
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