Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Straight from the heart

Staff Reporter

Hyderabad: He has undergone two bypass surgeries. But that has not deterred him from championing a noble cause. His heart beats for the sightless. At 62, Satish Modi, has launched a novel incentive linked scheme for propagation of eye donation.

He is distributing woollen blankets by the dozen to the poor and the needy. The blankets have stickers pasted on them with the eye donation message and a toll free number - 1919.

Well off persons and philanthropic organisations can also buy these blankets at a subsidised price of Rs. 116 apiece and pass on in turn to their staff or the needy. Mr. Modi has made bulk purchase of the blankets — 10,000 to be precise.

Poor awareness

"There is lack of awareness about eye donation. Besides misconceptions and religious beliefs come in the way," he says.

A retired businessman, how he got associated with this cause is a story in itself. He happened to attend a free eye camp in Nalgonda organised by the Lions Club and that set things in motion.

Cash incentive

Mr. Modi found the Lions Club efforts were not producing the desired results. Moved by the plight of the blind, he decided to do his bit for their welfare. "Money is no problem. What is lacking is awareness," he says.

His Delara Foundation is also offering Rs. 5,000 for every pair of eyes donated. During the last eight months his efforts have yielded 50 pairs of eyes.

"The incidence of blindness is one of the highest in the country but there is an acute shortage of donor eyes," he says. Mr. Modi can be reached on his mobile - 9848145008.

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