India has over 1 Million visually challenged persons
India has over 1 Million visually challenged persons as per 2001 census. It is really sad that there is such a large number of visually challenged persons in our country. Blindness is the most crippling handicap and those affected by it go through untold sufferings. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of visually challenged persons with 18.52 lakhs , followed by other states like Bihar(10.06) Tamil Nadu (9.64) West Bengal (8.62) Rajasthan (7.54) Madhya Pradesh(6.36) and Maharashtra (5.81). A large percent of cases in India seem to be cataract cases. Fortunately cataract can be remedied through a relatively simple operation. In government hospitals such operations are done free of charges, while clinics of NGOs charge comparatively lower amounts. It is painful to see visually challenged persons managing travel in crowded suburban trains and negotiating their way through crowded streets. People in shelter homes carry out excellent work to earn their livelyhood. It will be in the fitness of things if the government provides community homes for them and suitable employment. They should not be made to travel to earn their bread. India can certainly provide suitable relief measures and the society in general will only be too happy to support such humanitarian moves to make their life less burdonsome.
Dr.A.R.K.Pillai
Mumbai 18-3-08 Email ID idfark@gmail.com
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