The Punarjot Eye Bank Society, which is associated with the EBAI, also honoured the families of the donors of 2007 at SCD Government College auditorium.

Family members of about 35 donors were handed over certificates for donating the eyes of their loved ones. Besides, members of over 10 NGOs participated in the conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ramesh, medical director of Punarjot Eye Bank said, “We are thankful to the families of those who donated their eyes to let others see the world. However, there is still need to create awareness among the people so that they come forward for the cause.”

Dr Ramesh said they we were touched by the gesture of the family of three-and-half year old girl who died in an accident. The family donated the eyes of the child, the youngest eyes donor in the state. “We are now spreading out message by way of regional cooperation programme.”

Gautam Mazumdar from Ahmedabad, who is a pioneer in the field of eye donation, said, “The NGOs can play a very important role in eyes donation programme. I think that NGOs can take eyes donation as one their projects in order to create awareness among the people in the community. Moreover, they can also help in collecting the eyes since in case of instantaneous deaths it becomes difficult to ask the family members to donate the eyes. The member of the NGO who lives in that community can be intrumental in asking the family who is also grief-stricken at that moment.”