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Indian Americans from New York sponsor eye camp in Amritsar
To support the underprivileged visually challenged people the 12th Eye Camp in Amritsar
Haridas and Sharda Kotahwala of New York and Varinder Bhalla / Ratna Bhalla
Indian-origin philanthropists Haridas and Sharda Kotahwala of New York have recently sponsored a free eye camp, the 12th in a series, in Amritsar in India to restore vision to poor and underprivileged patients.
This initiative, organized by Varinder and Ratna Bhalla, offers free eye examinations and eyeglasses to those unable to afford vision care. Among the beneficiaries are elderly individuals struggling with daily activities and children whose education is hindered due to poor eyesight.
Bhalla, a former commissioner of Nassau County, New York, and originally from Amritsar, launched the first eye camp in January 2023. The project honors the legacy of his late father, an advocate for visually impaired children at a local institute for the blind.
12th Eye Camp in Amritsar / Varinder BhallaThe inaugural event garnered widespread support, drawing prominent figures such as Gurjeet Singh Aujla, member of Parliament; Om Parkash Soni, former deputy Chief Minister of Punjab; and Sandeep Rishi, the then-Commissioner of Amritsar.
To ensure assistance reaches the most deserving individuals, a rigorous screening process identifies financially disadvantaged applicants. Optometrists conduct computerized and manual eye exams, diagnosing issues like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Beneficiaries not only receive tailored corrective lenses but also get to choose their preferred frames.
Over the past year, the initiative has successfully organized 12 camps, improving the lives of nearly 1,200 individuals. Held monthly, the camps pause only during extreme weather conditions that disrupt logistics.
Local community leader Satish Devgan praised the efforts of Bhalla and the Kotahwala family. “The Bhallas, despite being thousands of miles away in New York, remain deeply connected to their roots in Punjab. And the Kotahwalas, originally from Rajasthan but settled in New York for six decades, have shown extraordinary compassion by helping the needy in Amritsar,” he said.
The Bhalla family’s charitable initiatives extend beyond vision care. In Delhi, they operate the AWB Food Bank, established in 1991 in memory of Agya Wanti Bhalla, Bhalla’s late mother. The food bank collects surplus meals from hotels, airlines, and industrial kitchens, distributing them to impoverished communities.
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