A community walkathon was organised in Belagavi on Tuesday to create awareness about corneal blindness and encourage eye donation.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A community walkathon was organised in Belagavi on Tuesday to create awareness about corneal blindness and encourage eye donation, marking the culmination of the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight, observed from August 25 to September 8.The walkathon began at Rani Channamma Circle and concluded at the M.M. Joshi Kodkany Eye Centre in Ayodhya Nagar. Hundreds of medical professionals, volunteers, civic representatives, students, and members of various public organisations participated in the awareness programme.District Leprosy Officer and Programme Officer, Belagavi Dr. Geeta Kamble, and Medical Director of M.M. Joshi Kodkany Eye Centre Dr. Shilpa Kodkany flagged off the rally. Participants carried banners and raised slogans highlighting the importance of eye donation.Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the walkathon, health officials and ophthalmologists stressed the need to dispel misconceptions and social stigma surrounding eye donation. They said greater public awareness was essential to encourage people to pledge their eyes after death and help restore sight to those affected by corneal blindness.The programme was organised jointly by the district administration and zilla panchayat, District Health and Family Welfare Department, District Blindness Control Division, Office of the Taluk Health Officer, Lions International, Belagavi, Rotary Club, Belagavi, Belagavi Ophthalmic Association, M.M. Joshi Kodkany Eye Centre, and SGM Eye Bank (M.M. Joshi Eye Institute).Students and representatives of Al Iqra Foundation, Shri Guru Institutions, Lakeview Nursing College, AM Shaikh Homeopathy College, Expert PU College, Maratha Mandal Degree College, and Mahavir Mirji Degree College also participated in the rally.The organisers urged the public to spread awareness about eye donation and pledge their eyes to help people in need of corneal transplants. Published - September 08, 2026 08:23 pm IST
