Faith leaders join "Blind Walk" to press for eye donation

Since October 2013, Project Vision has been able to move ahead in this movement - and around 10,000 persons have been motivated to pledge their eyes.

Bangalore:  Leaders of different faiths blindfolded themselves and followed visually impaired people in a march through Bangalore city on last Sunday in an attempt to create awareness on eye donation in the country.

The second such walk in the city attracted over 500 volunteers from Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist faiths. The second walk followed the first ever the August 24 march on the city's main M. G.Road to Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park.

The second unique walk took place from Id Gar Masjid to Christha Prabhalaya Church in Jayanagar.

At the march Mastan Saheb form Muslim Community and Nagendra Prasad from Jain Community participated. Rangarajan representing Art of Living flagged off the walk along with Kannanthanam, who represented Christians.

Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore and Sreedhar Bhatt Swamiji along with the other leaders were also among participants. All the religious leaders blindfolded themselves to express their solidarity with the blind and took a pledge to donate their eyes and to work for this cause.

Organized by "The Project Vision" that Father George Kannanthanam initiated the project aims to spreading awareness on blindness and to educate the public on avenues of pledging one's eyes. The project is supported by over 100 organizations.

Father Kannanthanam expressed happiness that leaders from all faiths supported the humanitarian cause. Despite all religion supports eye donation, traditions and theology differ and it is important leaders of different faiths openly support eye donation to help people understand that no religion is against it, the priest said.

" I am personally delighted and thankful to the leaders of various faiths who have represented their respective communities here. I am certain that all of us will work towards a common goal to let everyone see," he said.

Of the 15 million blind persons in India, eye donation can bring light to over three million while the other 80 percent can live better through various facilities that could be created for them. "We have committed ourselves to make Bangalore the Eye Donation Capital of the World,” the Catholic priest said.

Since October 2013, Project Vision has been able to move ahead in this movement - and around 10,000 persons have been motivated to pledge their eyes.

All the major religions of the world support the principles of organ donation and transplantation.

However, within each religion there is a different school of thought, which means that views may differ. The Project Vision has been engaged with faith leaders across religions and communities to raise awareness of organ donation and transplantation.

Press Release