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Prayagraj, December 2024
As the grand Mahakumbh 2025 approaches, with crores of devotees set to gather at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj from January 13, a unique healthcare initiative has been launched to ensure the well-being of pilgrims. The Yogi Adityanath government has inaugurated Netra Kumbh, a large-scale eye care program aimed at addressing vision-related health needs during the world’s largest religious event.
Spread across nine acres in Sector 6 near Nagvasuki Temple, Netra Kumbh seeks to examine the eyes of over 5 lakh devotees and distribute 3 lakh pairs of spectacles free of cost. Pilgrims identified as needing further medical intervention will receive free surgeries facilitated by agreements with more than 150 hospitals across India.
Revolutionary Eye Care Efforts
Kavindra Pratap Singh, chairman of the Netra Kumbh organizing committee, underscored the significance of the initiative:
“For the first time in Mahakumbh history, patients referred by doctors for eye surgeries can undergo free operations at hospitals in their home districts. This is not just a healthcare initiative; it’s a symbol of social harmony and inclusivity,” he said.
Patients diagnosed at Netra Kumbh will receive referral cards—one for the hospital and the other for Saksham, the event’s organizing body. This ensures streamlined coordination for surgeries either during or after the fair.
Dr. Kirtika Agarwal, media coordinator for the initiative, highlighted the extensive logistics behind the effort:
“More than 150 doctors, including those from the Indian Army, will provide their services during the 45-day event, supported by over 400 medical professionals and 500 optometrists.”
The daily operations will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with extended hours as needed. On any given day, approximately 200 medical staff, including doctors and volunteers, will manage outpatient services and eye care.
A Record-Breaking Initiative
Netra Kumbh first gained recognition in 2019 by entering the Limca Book of World Records for examining 3 lakh patients and distributing 1.5 lakh glasses. This year, the scale of operations is expected to break previous records, making it the largest eye-care event in any religious or medical setting worldwide.
Free Services with a Touch of Dignity
In addition to eye examinations, Netra Kumbh will offer free medicines and refreshments to patients. Indian Army doctors, volunteering their expertise, are expected to further enhance the quality of care provided.
As Mahakumbh 2025 draws near, initiatives like Netra Kumbh highlight the intersection of faith and public service, setting an example of how spiritual events can double as platforms for transformative social welfare programs.
