Tarabai Desai Eye Hospital, Jodhpur, India

30/09/2026

Farewell, Dr. Vatika Jain

Today, we bid a fond farewell to Dr. Vatika Jain, who concludes her association with our hospital after two years of dedicated service. As a skilled glaucoma specialist, she played a valuable role in strengthening our clinical services and enhancing patient care. Beyond her professional contributions, her warmth, sincerity, and teamwork endeared her to colleagues and staff alike.

As she and her husband embark on a new chapter in another city, we thank her for her commitment and wish them both happiness, success, and fulfillment in the years ahead.

With gratitude, good wishes, and many fond memories, all of us at the hospital salute her journey and wish her Godspeed.

28/09/2026

The Affable Sage

Ninety kilometers southeast of Jodhpur lies the town of Sojat, renowned for producing some of the finest henna in India. Its rich, high-quality henna finds its way to international markets, bringing recognition to the town. When the Lions Club Shakuntla was looking for a venue to conduct a free eye camp in Sojat, help came from an unexpected but deeply inspiring source. Saint Sagar Bapu Maharaj, who was conducting a religious gathering in a large hall, graciously offered the venue for the camp. In a remarkable gesture of compassion, he even postponed the day's religious discourse until after 4:00 PM so that patients could be attended to without inconvenience. It was therefore our privilege to spend 18 September 2026 in the august presence of this revered saint. His kindness, humility, gentle speech, and warm hospitality instantly made our outreach team feel at home.

A total of 245 patients were examined and treated for a wide range of eye ailments. Mr. Wasim, our optometrist, provided 72 pairs of spectacles to patients whose vision could be corrected with glasses, bringing immediate relief and clarity to many. Twelve patients suffering from cataracts were identified and admitted for surgery. Before their journey, Mr. Zaid and Mr. Babu Singh, members of our dedicated staff, carefully checked their blood pressure and blood sugar levels to ensure that they were fit to undergo the procedure. The patients were then transported to Jodhpur, where they underwent free cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation later that very evening. Each of them recovered excellent vision, reaffirming the life-changing impact of timely eye care.

Among these patients were five individuals who had cataracts in both eyes and were living with severe visual disability. One of them had even lost his livelihood because his failing eyesight prevented him from working. Their stories were a poignant reminder of how blindness affects not only an individual's health but also dignity, independence, and economic well-being. To help them regain their lives as quickly as possible, all five underwent surgery in both eyes on consecutive days. A total of 18 sight-restoring surgeries had been performed.

The donors that made this camp possible were Shri Radhey Shyam Soni of Mumbai and Shri SS from Jodhpur who wishes to remain anonymous. We are very grateful to them for sponsoring the camp.

Please help us continue & scale this impact. Donate today at : www.TarabaiEyecare.org [tax exempted in the USA]. Indian donors please scan the QR code.

25/09/2026

Solitaire

Our fixed facility monthly eye camp at the Ratanada Government Dispensary was held on 20 September 2026. The team screened 20 patients and provided free medicines to those suffering from various eye ailments. Only two patients were found to require cataract surgery, and just one agreed to undergo the procedure. Like a solitary gem set apart from the crowd, this lone patient became the camp's "solitaire" that day, reminding us that even a single life restored to sight is precious beyond measure. He was operated upon the same evening at our base hospital, entirely free of charge, and received a free intraocular lens implant, beginning a brighter new chapter in his life.

Please help us continue & scale this impact. Donate today at : www.TarabaiEyecare.org [tax exempted in the USA]. Indian donors please scan the QR code.

23/09/2026

She feared blindness forever
Your support gave her courage and sight.

Sajjan K, a courageous septuagenarian had lost her left eye to a failed cataract surgery eight years ago. When cataract clouded her only remaining eye, fear of losing it too in surgery, kept her from seeking help. For two years she lived in darkness, dependent on her family for even the simplest daily tasks. With gentle reassurance and compassionate care, she finally agreed to surgery. Today, her vision is restored, and she delights in her newfound independence - able to see clearly once more. Name and photos used with her permission.

Please help us continue & scale this impact. Donate today at : www.TarabaiEyecare.org [tax exempted in the USA]. Indian donors please scan the QR code.

20/09/2026

Inagurating our eye camp at Sojat with Chief guest Lion DG Nishant Jain and the affable sage Sagar Bapu Maharaj on 18 September 2026.

12/09/2026

03/09/2026

In -house training.

03/09/2026

Policing the Police !

Who are we to do that? Yet, we were delighted to accept the invitation from the Rural Police Lines to conduct vision screening for their officers. The programme was held under the aegis of the Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan, Jodhpur Chapter, on 25 August 2026. We examined 45 personnel, and our optometrist, Mr Wasim Akram, provided prescription eyeglasses to 15 of them, helping transform blurred vision into clear sight.

It was a privilege to serve those who devote themselves to safeguarding society. May improved vision support them in carrying out their duties with even greater confidence, effectiveness, and safety.

Please help us continue & scale this impact. Donate today at : www.TarabaiEyecare.org [tax exempted in the USA]. Indian donors please scan the QR code.

01/09/2026

International

31/08/2026

Kherapa

One and a half hours of steady driving brings one to the village of Kherapa, 68 kilometers to the north of Jodhpur. It is home to Ramdham Kherapa, a primary pilgrimage and monastic center of the Ramsnehi Sampradaya, a prominent Hindu religious sect. This is where our next camp was held under the stewardship of Dr. Rajiv Desai and his team. They examined and treated 310 patients with various eye ailments with care and compassion. Eleven patients with cataract were identified, admitted and transported to the base hospital. They received free cataract surgery with an artificial lens implant.

One patient who stood out was Sinder Singh, 55, from Muktsar, about 300 km away. Bilateral white mature cataracts had left him nearly blind, forcing him to give up his job as a cook earning ₹12,000 a month. As his vision deteriorated, he frequently burned food, injured himself, burned his fingers and struggled with routine tasks. Being single and without family support, he survived by washing dishes in exchange for food and shelter, relying on his elderly employer for assistance. Following cataract surgery in both eyes on consecutive days, he has regained functional vision and looks forward to living independently and returning to work.

Another notable case was Kalu Ram, a 39-years old mason and daily-wage labourer supporting a family of seven. A thorn injury caused a traumatic cataract in his left eye, reducing vision to counting fingers at 0.5 m, while his right eye also had uncorrected refractive error. Earning ₹15,000 a month and relying partly on his father’s ₹1,200 pension, he postponed surgery because he could not afford to lose income and had no alternative means of supporting his family. Over six months, progressive vision loss made masonry and manual labour, particularly tasks requiring binocular vision such as measuring and aligning stone, increasingly difficult and eventually impossible. He was laid off two months ago, leaving his family dependent on his father’s modest pension. Following restoration of sight, he hopes to return to wage work, contribute to farming and family responsibilities, and regain his financial independence, confidence, and quality of life.

Please help us continue & scale this impact. Donate today at : www.TarabaiEyecare.org [tax exempted in the USA]. Indian donors please scan the QR code.