SHILLONG/TURA: Students and people from all walks of life participated in the ‘Blind Walk’ organised in the city and Tura on the occasion of World Sight Day on Thursday.
During a brief programme in Shillong held on the premises of All Saints’ Cathedral, Bansara Eye Care Centre’s Medical Director Dr Jennifer Basaiawmoit said, “All the organisations and institutes gathered here today is for one purpose which is to join hands in a renewed effort to translate the vision of the global eye health action plan which perceives a world in which nobody is needlessly visually impaired or blind and those with unavoidable vision loss can achieve their full potential and where there is a universal access to comprehensive eye care services.”
Health and Family Welfare Secretary Pravin Bakshi said the visually challenged should not feel any different nor be discouraged and “they should forge ahead following their dreams so as to set an example for others to follow”.
Bakshi flagged off the walk at 12.15 pm. More than 300 participants were there.
‘Blind Walk Shillong’ is a conglomerate movement of different organisation like Bansara Eye Care Centre, Church of North India (CNI), Jain Community, Rotary Club Orchid City, Jyoti Sroat School and Quinee School, among others.
In Tura, over 600 citizens and schoolchildren joined the ‘Blind Walk’. The campaign saw people being blindfolded before letting a group of the visually challenged lead them.
Despite inclement weather due to Cyclone Titli over the Bay of Bengal, a host of dignitaries, including West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, Fr. Sunny Joseph Mavelil, Director Bakdil, Bro. Jose, Rector Montfort Centre, Tura, took the lead in the walk.
The visually challenged people were gifted with bags sponsored by the Lion’s Club of Tura.