Painting Competition and Eye Donation Seminar Held at Ursuline Convent
Ranchi, August 26: To mark the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight (August 25–September 8), Ursuline Convent School hosted a large‑scale painting competition and awareness seminar on Wednesday. The event was jointly organized by the National Health Mission (NHM) Jharkhand, Kashyap Memorial Eye Bank and the Eye Donation Awareness Club.
Hundreds of students participated enthusiastically in the painting competition, using their art to convey the message of eye donation. The programme’s chief guest was NHM Director Shashi Prakash Jha, who praised the creativity of the participants and emphasized the importance of spreading awareness among young people.
Following the competition, an awareness seminar was held in the school auditorium. It was attended by NHM Director Jha, Ursuline Convent Principal Sister Grace, and Anima Kisku. Renowned ophthalmologists Dr. Bharti Kashyap and Dr. Nidhi Gadkar Kashyap addressed the gathering, highlighting the scientific facts about eye donation and dispelling common myths.
Dr. Bharti Kashyap explained that age, gender or blood group are not barriers to eye donation. Even those who have undergone cataract surgery can donate. She stressed that the procedure is simple, respectful, and completed within 15–20 minutes without delaying funeral rites. Teams can also conduct the process at home, and artificial eyes ensure no change in facial appearance.
Dr. Nidhi Gadkar Kashyap, a corneal transplant specialist, shared that since 2019, Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital has successfully performed over 500 corneal transplants using advanced DSEK and DMEK techniques. “One person’s eye donation can restore sight to two corneal blind individuals,” she said, underlining the transformative impact of the practice.
NHM Director Shashi Prakash Jha announced measures to promote eye donation, including the deployment of counselors in hospitals, a rapid helpline network to ensure cornea retrieval within 4–6 hours, and public recognition for donor families.
The seminar concluded with a call to action for students and families to embrace eye donation as a noble contribution to society. The combination of art and awareness created a powerful message: that vision can be shared, and life can be illuminated through the gift of sight.
