42nd free eye checkup cand cataract surgery camp hosted by Science of Spirituality (SOS)/Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission (SKRM)
Cataracts Pose a Critical Challenge
Cataract, the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, remains one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, and in India, it accounts for a staggering majority of visual impairment cases. According to estimates from the World Health Organization and India’s National Programme for Control of Blindness, millions of people in India suffer from cataract-related vision problems, many of whom remain untreated due to lack of access to affordable medical care. Without timely surgical intervention, the condition gradually worsens, leading to severe vision impairment and even blindness. For many people living in rural communities and economically marginalized conditions, the gradual clouding of the eye-lens does more than just blur their vision; it strips them of their independence, affects their livelihood, and creates a significant social and economic burden.
The 42nd Free Eye Checkup and Cataract Surgery Camp
To help address this challenge, Science of Spirituality (SOS)/Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission (SKRM) organizes a Free Eye Checkup and Cataract Surgery Camp twice every year as part of its ongoing commitment to humanitarian service to help eradicate preventable blindness. Under the guidance of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, world-renowned spiritual Master and head of SOS/SKRM, the non-profit organization hosts bi-annual free eye camps to restore vision for individuals who would otherwise find such surgeries cost-prohibitive.
For the successful execution of this initiative, SOS/SKRM has partnered with the ICARE Eye Hospital in Noida, which generously provides its operating theatres, medical equipment, doctors, and staff for this noble cause. In addition, dedicated eye surgeons from the US travel to India to volunteer their expertise and offer their services free of charge in the spirit of loving selfless service. They also bring with them high quality lenses and necessary medical supplies donated by the local corporations there. Over the years, through this collaborative effort, SOS/SKRM has helped restore the gift of sight to more than 20,000 people.
This year marked the 42nd Free Eye Checkup and Cataract Surgery Camp, held from February 22-March 1, 2026, at Kirpal Bagh, Delhi. The initiative was organized as part of the selfless service activities undertaken during the 37th International Human Unity Conference.
The Gift of Vision and Compassionate Care
During the initial screening conducted on the first day of the camp, 1808 individuals arriving from nearby villages and towns underwent thorough eye examinations by doctors and trained medical staff to determine the presence and severity of cataracts. After detailed testing, 695 patients were identified as eligible for cataract-removal surgery. These patients were transported to ICARE Eye Hospital in Noida over the following days, where they underwent cataract surgery free of cost.
Throughout the week, patients were provided with free housing and complimentary meals at Kirpal Bagh. On their scheduled surgery dates, patients were transported to ICARE Eye Hospital in Noida by buses for their procedures. At the hospital, the cataract-removal procedures were performed by skilled ophthalmologists from ICARE Eye Hospital along with visiting volunteer eye surgeons from the United States. Following their surgeries, patients were provided medicines, reading glasses, and other essential amenities to help them adjust to their restored vision.
Behind the successful execution of the camp were numerous SOS/SKRM volunteers who worked tirelessly both on the ground and behind the scenes, coordinating with the medical teams to ensure that every patient received proper care and attention. They assisted with patient registrations, crowd management, and detailed logistical arrangements to ensure that the screenings and surgeries proceeded smoothly.
Patients’ Experiences
For many patients, the surgery marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. After enduring blurred vision and limited mobility for years, they expressed immense gratitude upon regaining their sight.
Sheela Devi from Kashipur expressed, “I decided to come to the Mission’s camp as I had full faith that my vision will be restored here. My belief proved true and my experience has been great.”
“I trusted the Mission’s doctors and volunteers to do an excellent job. Now that my eyesight is restored, I will be able to read the books of the spiritual Masters that I had not been able to read since many years due to blurry vision,” said Rajinder Singh, an initiate from Gohana, Haryana.
For Shrimati Bhagwati from Pratap Bagh, Delhi, the whole experience was very easy and hassle-free. “The treatment being free of cost is an added benefit. Now I will be able to see things clearly and do everyday tasks without any difficulty.”
Doctors’ Thoughts
“We have been coming to the camp since 2014,” expressed one of the volunteer surgeons from the US. “We love coming here, doing seva and helping patients. Restoring vision is one of the things that brings joy to my heart.”
Another ophthalmologist noted, “The cataract surgeries that are done through the Eye Camp help the patients regain their independence and visual function to help them in their day-to-day life. With Maharaj Ji’s grace, this helps to ensure that patients benefit from improved vision for the rest of their lives.”
“We come to help patients that do not have regular access to health-care or eye-care,” said another specialist. “Maharaj Ji always emphasizes selfless service, along with ethical living and meditation, as the three pillars of the Mission. So we are here to see as many patients as possible and help them with their vision.”
The Guiding Force behind it All
The driving force behind this monumental effort is the blueprint of selfless service as taught and exemplified by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj. He teaches that selfless service is a vital component of a spiritual life. In his words, “Selfless service focuses us on helping others rather than serving only ourselves. We become a source of help to others and can contribute to making the world a better place.”
Through such initiatives, SOS/SKRM continues to uphold the spirit of selfless service by reaching out to those in need and bringing hope, healing, and the gift of sight to many lives. As Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj says, “When we serve others, we are letting God's hands work through us. When God's hands work through us, that is the glue that puts our broken pieces back together.”
(All photos courtesy: SOS/SKRM)
