Ray of Hope

Dr. Tatyarao Pundlikrao Lahane, Professor and Head, Department of Ophthalmology, Grant Medical College & Sir J.J. Hospital in Mumbai who has done pioneering work in eye care and cataract operation. Son of a poor farmer, Dr. Lahane has achieved success after many years of hardships. He lost his kidney in 1994 and it was his mother who donated one of her kidneys to give his son a new lease of life. His personal hardships made him realise the need to do something for the poor and the downtrodden. Dr. T. P. Lahane realized that the poorer sections of the society didn't have access to proper eye care, particularly cataract. According to a research done recently, around 3.8 million Indians are blinded by cataract each year. Dr. Lahane then embarked on the mission to provide proper eye care to the poor for free. In the past few years, he has organized 105 eye camps in the rural areas and has so far performed around one lakh eye surgeries, a world record. He has also performed successful operations on 1211 leprosy patients who almost lost their vision. The photo documentary captures the grit and determination of Dr. Lahane, who has not allowed adversity to overcome his zeal. Despite his own personal upheavals, Dr. Lahane continues to give his best to the society. I, therefore, want to bring out the exemplary work done by Dr. Lahane through a photo future. The Endeavour is to create awareness and inspire others to do the same.