Sightsavers completes 50 years in India, spl cover released

Marking its journey of 50 years in India, the postal department today released a special cover for a global charity which has conducted five million eye surgeries to cure blindness and restore eyesight in the country over this period.
Sightsavers is a UK-based international charity which fights avoidable blindness and promotes equal opportunities for visually-impaired people.
The special cover was released at the Golden Jubilee Function of the NGO held at the India International Centre here.
"It was only because of its advocacy that India became first ever country to have the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB)," Secretary of Ministry of Tribal Affairs Shyam S Agarwal said.

"The organisation, among other places is present in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Odisha, part of Jharkhand which are largely tribal areas.
"Tribes in India are centred in two parts, one north-east and the other central. Central (India) constitutes about 60 to 70 per cent of the tribal population. The works of Sightsaver has benefited the tribal section of the society most," he said.
On behalf of Jual Oram, the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, who could not attend the function, Agarwal said the ministry of tribal affairs promotes alliance with NGOs for the benefits of the tribals.
Started by John Wilson, it came to India in 1966. The organisation is present in several states serving around 100 districts in the country. It has conducted five million surgeries to cure blindness in the country, according to Sightsavers.