Former India cricketer Bishan Bedi launches IVI campaign, free spectacles for Delhi children

He distributed free spectacles to 27 children from Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Pandara Park, where 314 were screened as part of the current Delhi campaign. 

Known the world over for his spin bowling prowess, Bishan Bedi, a left-arm spin bowler, played for India from 1966 to 1979 and formed part of the Indian spin quartet during those years. He was appointed captain of the Indian Test team in 1976.

Bishan Bedi said "I am very happy to play a part in IVI's screening campaign to prevent avoidable blindness in Indians across the country."

"Vision is as much critical in children's education as it is in the playing fields. It is vital in childhood and in later life. The campaign will go a long way in making our children better future citizens," Mr Bedi added.

IVI CEO Vinod Daniel said, "the presence of Bishan Bedi in IVI's campaign to provide access to screening and spectacles to children gives us hope and promise for the future."

"With improved vision by correction through spectacles, we hope these children can become active members of the community and do well in life. Eighty percent of what a child learns is through visual processing. Without good vision, a child cannot get a good education and this severely hinders their future opportunities. By providing spectacles through Eye See & I Learn, IVI aims to help them get good education, improve their quality of life and give them a chance for a good future," he said.

"Under the One Bright Vision Child Eye Health program of CooperVision, IVI has screened over 53,480 socio-economically disadvantaged school children in various parts of India with 4355 children provided free spectacles through the program. Since 2016, states covered are TN, Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad), Mizoram, Telangana, Gujarat (Ahmedabad) New Delhi, and Pondicherry,” Daniel added.

Arnab Sarkar, Director, CooperVision India, said, "With 90% of the world's visually impaired living in the developing countries, and 80% of blindness being avoidable, there is need for the government, NGOs and corporates to work together and address this issue urgently." 

"Our initiative with IVI is attempting to make an impact to target populations, young and old, with refractive errors. The collaboration, which is providing access to screenings and spectacles, should make a difference to prevent avoidable blindness,"  Sarkar added.