From Rock Garden to Sukhna Lake: PGIMER Walks for the Gift of Sight

The Voice of Chandigarh News

An Eye Donation Awareness Walk was organised from Rock Garden to Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh, as part of the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight 2026, with the objective of creating awareness about the importance of eye donation and corneal transplantation.

Dr. Jagat Ram, Former Director, PGIMER and Padma Shri awardee; Prof. Arun Grover, Former Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University; and Dr. M.R. Dogra, Former Professor, Advanced Eye Centre, graced the occasion as Chief Guests.

Prof. Usha Singh, HOD, Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Vaishali Gupta and Dr. Amit Gupta, along with the entire cornea faculty, Eye Bank staff, Optometry staff and Nursing students, actively participated in the awareness walk. Faculty and students from the Nursing College, along with members of Lions Club Chandigarh Central, also joined the initiative.

Around 250–300 participants took part in the walk and spread the message of eye donation among the public. The participants carried forward the message that a simple pledge to donate eyes after death can help restore vision and transform the lives of people suffering from corneal blindness.

As part of the awareness programme, Optometry students presented a nukkad natak (street play) highlighting the importance of eye donation and encouraging members of the public to pledge their eyes.

The event aimed to motivate more people to come forward for eye donation and contribute towards reducing the burden of corneal blindness. The organisers emphasised that increased awareness and voluntary eye donation can play a vital role in helping patients regain the gift of sight.