New NGO programme launched in Delhi to protect weavers' eyesight

Sightsavers India has launched a national programme called 'Looms and Lenses' to improve eye care for weavers and artisans. The NGO aims to reach one million people and provide four lakh spectacles by the year 2030.

Rollout

The initiative will start in Odisha before expanding to other parts of the country. It will focus on eye screenings, giving out spectacles, and medical referrals for weaving communities.

Launches and Statements

Actor Kabir Bedi, who is the honorary brand ambassador for Sightsavers India, launched the programme at an event in New Delhi. Bedi stated that restoring sight brings back dignity and livelihoods for weavers who need sharp vision for their work. Sightsavers India CEO R N Mohanty explained that the project builds on their existing work with the Odisha government and helps protect weavers' income and independence. Swayamprava Pani from the Union Textiles Ministry noted that India has 3.5 million weavers, and women make up 72 percent of this workforce. Poonam Guha from the Odisha Handlooms Department shared that earlier eye-care camps in Cuttack and Bargarh already helped about 1,000 people. The launch event also featured a report titled Beyond the Thread and a new visual identity for the programme.

Context

Sightsavers India is an NGO that has worked since 1966 to prevent avoidable blindness and support people with disabilities. Weaving is a detailed craft that requires close visual focus, making regular eye check-ups vital for the livelihood of artisans.