And to everyone’s surprise, Ludhianvis lead the cavalcade. This was revealed by a data released by city-based Punarjot Eye Bank which collects the cornea from these centres.

Since there is still no proper mechanism that provides for eye donation at the government level, Punarjot Eye Bank Society has compiled the data that indicates that about 40 per cent eye donations are from the district. The eye bank is also associated with the Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI).

The figure comprises donations routed through eye associations and societies in eight districts of the state.

Of the 487 cornea collections from about ten such centres operating at Rampura Phool in Bathinda, at Bareta in Mansa, at Dhuri and Sunam in Sangrur and also in Barnala, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahar and Ludhiana in 2007, 172 have come from the city only. In 2006 too, 40 per cent of 469 cornea collections came from the district.

“It is heartening to know that more and more people now understand the importance of donating eyes. We were touched by the gesture of the parents of three-year-old Jashanpreet - the youngest donor in the state. Her parents live in Salempur in the city and decided to donate their daughter’s eyes after her death in an accident.

The cornea was transplanted to Gurdeep Singh (8), a special kid. God made him mentally challenged but we could at least restore his eyesight,” says Punarjot medical director Dr Ramesh.

Notably, the high percentage of contributions from the district is possible because of many people as have shown courage in fighting the superstitions related to organ donations. “We do not believe in these superstitions. Instead, I think one should be proud that he or she can be of help to somebody even after death. This is the best gift one can give,” replies Jaspal Singh. Singh donated his father’s body for for medical research.

“Even I had to face the ire of my relatives when I decided to donate my son’s eyes. But I told them that somebody will at least see even after my son’s body is consigned to flames. But, it is difficult for some people as they have to face a lot of repulsion in the family. And some do not even have access to the doctors or centres for corea collection at that time. The government does not seem to be doing anything in this regard,” said Gurdev Singh, who donated his 26-year-old son’s eyes.

Kanta Sharma, who was one of recipients of certificate of gratitude, for her husband’s donation of the eyes in the first eye banking held in Ludhiana by EBAI, said, “Some people may relate with this idea but it really feel good when I think about the recepient of of my husband’s eye.”

“While there is still no proper mechanism in the state to collect eyes, we have started this initiative wherein we collect cornea from ten centres in seven districts,” explains Dr Ramesh, adding, “We think that we did well this year compared to the last year. People like Gautam Mazumdar from Ahmedabad give inspiration to do more. He is a pioneer in eye donation campaigns not only in Gujarat but the country.”

Mazumdar is also one of the founder members of Eye Bank Association of India which was started in 1961. He is collectes over 5,000 corneas every year and distributes them across the country.

When asked about his success in eye campaigns, Mazumdar, who was in city for the recently held eye conference, stressed, “The role of NGOs and social workers in campaigns is very important.