Through sustained screenings, the campaign will help identify people with uncorrected vision problems and provide corrective glasses, enabling over a thousand beneficiaries – including workers, elderly residents and families – to see better, move with greater confidence, and carry on their daily lives with improved vision and independence.
People received spectacles from guests of honour Paul Murphy, Australia’s Consul-General in Mumbai, and Marius De Beer, Chief Sustainability Officer, Hoya Vision Care. The guests at the launch included Vinod Daniel, IVI’s CEO, Ramachandran P, Chair of Hon. Advisory Committee, IVI, Malini Dutt, Trade and Investment Commissioner – India, Investment NSW, Dr Vivek G Mendonsa, Founder Trustee, Mendonsa Foundation, and Bhupesh Banodkar, General Manager, Hoya Lens India P Ltd, among others. The launch also brought together community members and eye care professionals to highlight the importance of timely vision screening and correction among underserved urban communities.
Mr Daniel said, “Dharavi is one of Mumbai’s most dynamic communities, with thousands of families, workers, children and small enterprises contributing every day to the life of the city. IVI’s campaign will bring primary eye care closer to the community through access to vision screening, corrective spectacles and referrals to partner hospitals for further medical care wherever required. A simple eye test and a pair of spectacles can make a big difference, helping a child see the blackboard, a worker perform with greater ease, or an elderly person move through daily life with more confidence.”
“Since inception, IVI has reached over 2 million people across 25 states through community-based vision screening programs. In addition to over 1 million schoolchildren benefiting, we have reached livelihood groups including commercial drivers, fisherfolk and low-income workers. The Dharavi campaign builds on this larger commitment to make eye care accessible, preventive and people-centred,” added Mr Daniel.
Mr Murphy said, “I am delighted to be at the launch of this campaign in Dharavi. India Vision Institute is an exemplary NGO that reflects the strength of Australia-India cooperation, working to expand access to primary eye care for communities across India. Through its vision screenings and provision of corrective spectacles, IVI has reached millions of people and shown how simple, timely interventions can transform lives. It is heartening to see this important campaign being taken forward in Dharavi, where regular access to eye care can make a meaningful difference to the community.”
Mr De Beer said, “We recognise the good work that India Vision Institute has been doing to expand access to primary eye care across underserved communities. Clear vision has a direct impact on learning, livelihoods, safety and quality of life, and sustained community-based initiatives are essential to ensuring that eye care reaches those who need it most. We are pleased to support this campaign in Dharavi and help bring vision care closer to the community.”
