The Hindu : Karnataka News : City's patriarch pledges his eyes

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Sunday, Dec 19, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka

City's patriarch pledges his eyes

Staff Reporter

Sudhakar Chaturvedi

BANGALORE: He is well over 100 but age has not dimmed his vision in any sense. Sudhakar Chaturvedi, renowned Sanskrit scholar and perhaps the city's oldest resident, pledged to donate his eyes on Saturday.

A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, the 113-year-old, on the occasion, was presented with the Living Legend Award instituted by IDL Foundation, in association with Lions Clubs International District 324 D1 and supported by Narayana Nethralaya here. The award carries a memento and a citation.

Speaking after receiving the award, Mr. Chaturvedi, for whom age is just a number, said that one would not feel old if one was young at heart. “A positive outlook helps increase the life span. We must not be selfish and must help all in need,” he said.

Vatal's appeal

Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha president Vatal Nagaraj appealed to the Union Government to identify centenarians in urban and rural areas and present them with a Manava Ratna award, on the lines of the Bharat Ratna.

K. Bhujang Shetty, chairman and managing director of Narayana Nethralaya, said that people would be motivated by Pt. Chaturvedi to donate their eyes. “Such acts will motivate others. This will go a long way towards popularising eye donation.”

On the occasion, K. Unnikrishnan and Dhanalakshmi, the parents of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who died in the Mumbai terror attack, pledged to donate their eyes.

Founder and executive trustee of IDL Foundation P.K. Paul said that the foundation was happy to present the Living Legend Award.

Lions P.S.R. Chetan, District Governor 2010-11, Lions Clubs International District 324 D1, and Rev. Johnson V., pastor of Bethel AG Church, were present.

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