Media Release

Mangaluru, Sep 6: Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath flagged off a massive eye donation awareness rally organised by Prasad Netralaya Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Mangaluru, in association with the Dakshina Kannada District Health and Family Welfare Department on Saturday, September 5, as part of national eye donation fortnight.

Speaking after flagging off the rally with a blue flag, MLA Vedavyas Kamath stressed the urgent need to create widespread awareness among the public about the importance of eye donation.

Speaking on the occasion, Kamath said that he had already pledged to donate his eyes and had kept his eye donation certificate at home in a place where it could be easily seen by family members.

“I have already pledged to donate my eyes. I have kept my eye donation certificate at home where everyone can see it. This will remind my family about my pledge even after my death and help ensure that the procedure is completed as scheduled. Everyone should come forward and participate in such humanitarian initiatives,” he said.

The MLA also personally participated in the awareness rally and walked alongside the participants. He raised slogans and encouraged members of the public and youth to take the pledge to donate their eyes.

Kamath appreciated Prasad Netralaya, Mangaluru, for undertaking the initiative with such social commitment and praised the active participation of students.

The rally began at Pumpwell and proceeded towards Prasad Netralaya Super Speciality Eye Hospital at Ujjodi.

More than 800 students from various colleges across Dakshina Kannada district, along with members of the public, enthusiastically participated in the rally and helped spread awareness about eye donation.

Following the rally, more than 50 students voluntarily pledged to donate their eyes at the Eye Bank of Prasad Netralaya.

As part of the programme, Prasad Netralaya also organised a poster-making competition to create awareness among students about the importance of eye donation. Around 50 students participated in the competition.

Prizes were presented to the winners, while appreciation certificates were distributed to all institutions that participated in the awareness rally.

Prasad Netralaya Group of Institutions medical director and chairman and Karnataka Vision Policy Committee, Government of Karnataka member Dr Krishna Prasad K, managing director Rashmi Krishna Prasad, and hospital directors Dr Vikram Jain, Dr Harish Shetty and Dr Jacob Chacko were present on the occasion.