The demise of Ashok Shivhare, Secretary at Rajasthan Optometry Society and Treasurer at Indian Optometric Society, has left many in the optical world emotional. Vipin Buckshey, shares his feelings of his personal loss.
Ashok Shivhare and I had been friends and colleagues for over three decades. His demise at the prime of his life is extremely shocking, and has left a vacuum which cannot be filled. I do not have the guts to face his family at this juncture, but my sincere heartfelt condolences are with them. May the almighty give them enough courage and strength to bear this grievous loss.
I find myself at a loss of words to describe my friend who was also everyone’s friend across all ages. He was actively involved in the Indian Optometric Association, and at the drop of a hat would travel to any corner of the country for any professional activity. He always strived to uplift our profession and was the organising secretary of several national successful conferences. His noble efforts will always be missed by each one of us in the field of Optometry.
Ashokji’s contribution in the education field is absolutely unique and enviable. With his single handed efforts he set up a successful Optometry School in Banda, which today is imparting valuable training to budding Optometrists. The institution is providing graduate and post graduate degrees in Optometry. I personally had the privilege of visiting the institution and was extremely impressed with the facilities offered.
The entire Optometric and Ophthalmic fraternity condoles his death and prays to the almighty that the departed soul rests in peace in heaven. I salute my departed friend and want to convey that now he has the opportunity to check the eyes of the Gods. Keep doing what you were doing here in the same manner.
– Vipin Buckshey
(Awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award at Zeiss You&Eye Awards 2017)
Vipin Buckshey is an Indian optometrist. Born on Jun 3, 1955 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, he did his schooling at Frank Anthony Public School after which secured a degree in optometry from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. He started his career at Lawrence and Mayo, Delhi and an ophthalmic executive where he is reported to have established a contact lens division. Buckshey, who is known to have served five former Presidents of India and the Dalai Lama, is a former President of the Indian Contact Lens Society and the Indian Optometric Association and is credited with performing over 15,000 surgeries. He was honored by the Government of India, in 2000, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri.
