Ranchi: Ranchi will host a one-of-a-kind Blindfold Run for Vision 2026 on August 30 to encourage eye donation and inspire more people to pledge their eyes. The awareness campaign is being organised jointly by the Eye Donation Awareness Club, Kashyap Memorial Eye Bank and the National Health Mission (NHM).
The event was officially announced during a press conference at the residence of the State Health Minister, who confirmed the National Health Mission’s full support for the initiative. He said Chief Minister Hemant Soren would be invited as the chief guest, while former India cricket captain and ex-Member of Parliament Mohammad Azharuddin is expected to attend as the guest of honour.
The marathon will begin at 7 a.m. and offers participants a rare opportunity to experience, for a short time, the challenges faced by visually impaired people by running with blindfolds. Organisers believe the event not only raises awareness about eye donation but also nurtures empathy, compassion and social responsibility.
Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said the Run for Vision campaign and the Blindfold Marathon have been held consistently for the past 20 years, evolving into a major public awareness movement. He added that the campaign is a strong example of how sustained efforts can turn an important social cause into a people’s movement.
The minister also praised the lifelong contribution of renowned ophthalmologists Dr. Bharti Kashyap and Dr. B.P. Kashyap, whose work has helped restore the eyesight of 1,089 people through corneal transplants. He noted that the duo performed Jharkhand’s first successful free corneal transplant in 1996 and later strengthened the state’s eye banking system by introducing advanced cornea preservation facilities after receiving specialised training at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad.
Dr. Bharti Kashyap, Medical Director of Kashyap Memorial Eye Bank, said this year’s marathon is being organised during the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight. She added that the support of the National Health Mission has significantly strengthened the campaign and expanded its reach.
She highlighted that one of the event’s most touching moments is the participation of hundreds of children, who run blindfolded while being guided by fellow students, reflecting the values of compassion, inclusion and hope. The organisers have invited schools, colleges, social organisations and members of the public to take part in the marathon and support the mission of eliminating avoidable corneal blindness in Jharkhand through greater awareness about eye donation.