Rotarian Works to Make Low Cost Low Vision Devices Available

Rotarian Ramesh Sathe, District 3130, has taken lot of interest in ABTF programs, specifically in the area of Low Cost Low Vision Devices. His attention was attracted by the stunning information that-- “80% of legally blind people can perform their day to day activity, if a proper visual device is made available to them.”  Considering the financial capacity of a common person from India or any other developing country, he realized the need to produce low vision devices at a low cost.

A registered charitable trust was formed under the name “Vijaya Memorial Trust.” The approach was formulated to give basic Low vision service where it was needed most. The development of various LV devices and a subsequent demonstration at Arvind Eye Hospital, Madurai, created a new opportunity – An invitation to attend the “Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Low Vision.”  This workshop was convened within the framework of “Vision 2020—the Right to Sight” (a global initiative that aims to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020).  Correspondence with Dr. Pararajesgaram and Dr. S. Resinkoff of the World Health Organisation also gave encouragement for their efforts.

In summary, it was stressed that there is a great and urgent need to expand access to low vision care, and it was emphasized that the feasibility of establishing low vision care would depend on the use of appropriate technology for the production of low vision devices. 

Rotarian Sathe and the Vijaya Memorial Trust are interested in executing projects in establishing Optical and Low vision service centres. They have a fairly large capacity for production of glass and plastic magnifiers and a trained force of volunteers. They have registered a charitable trust for giving special service to visually impaired persons and through this they can undertake service projects

Vijaya Memorial Trust

“Nandanvan” 18

Anandbag, PUNE 41103

Tel 91-20-6353570/6353876

Fax- 6344027

E-mail: ramfeb@giaspn01.vsnl.net.in