Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Thursday pledged to donate his eyes to the Ranchi-based Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital (KMEH) in Jharkhand.

 

 "I decided to donate my eyes to KMEH and I have filled the form for it. I want my last rites to be performed in Saranda Jungle (the dense, hilly forest area in Singhbhum district) of Jharkhand and my eyes donated to KMEH," Ramesh said, while addressing a function at the hospital here. 

 

 A "Run for Vision" was organised by the KMEH with more than 1,000 people, including students from schools in the area, participating in the programme. Ramesh, hospital founder and director Bharti Kashyap and B.P. Kashyap, and Jharkhand chief secretary R.S. Sharma also participated in the run.  

 

 The programme also involved the conclusion of a mega eye camp in Latehar district of the state, conducted by KMEH since July 30 on the initiative of the union rural development minister. 

 

 Around 2,000 people from 114 villages underwent checkup at the eye camp, which was part of the Saryu Action Plan to fight Maoist guerrillas in the area. 

 

 The KMEH, in association with State Bank of India, operated upon more than 250 people, including 17 children, to correct their vision. 

 

 The children were also given corrective glasses. 

 

 Ramesh appreciated Bharti Kashyap for organising eye camps in Maoist-affected areas, and said: "Jharkhand needs doctors like Bharti Kashyap to end the misery of the state." 

 

 –Indo-Asian News Service