NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, SEPT 6
The end of one life need not mean the end of another person’s hope. An eye donated after death can become another human being’s first glimpse of light, turning a final act of generosity into a lifelong gift of sight.
Giving this powerful message a public face, Tamil Nadu Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Minister Dr GK Arunraj on Sunday flagged off an eye donation awareness rally at Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar, Chennai, organised by Rotary Rajan Eye Bank as part of the National Eye Donation Fortnight.
- Health Minister Dr Arunraj flags off eye donation awareness rally in Chennai
- India’s 1.1-million corneal blindness burden underscores urgent need for more donors
- Tamil Nadu strengthens its sight-saving mission through eye banks and awareness drives
- One donor can potentially help restore vision to two people, says Arunraj
- State calls for a people’s movement to boost eye and organ donation
- From a final farewell to a fresh beginning—an eye donation can light up another life
The rally sought to deepen public awareness about eye donation and encourage people to pledge their eyes so that those who have lost vision because of corneal damage can potentially regain sight. The National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed annually from August 25 to September 8.
The need is immense. According to Union Government information, around 1.1 million people in India are corneally blind, while only about 25,000–30,000 corneal transplants are performed annually, highlighting the considerable gap between the requirement for donated corneas and their availability.
‘All donations are great—but eye donation is special’
Addressing the gathering, Dr Arunraj said every form of donation was valuable, but eye donation had a special significance because eyesight enables people to experience and enjoy the world around them.
“We often say that blood donation is the greatest donation when we attend a blood donation camp, eye donation is the greatest when we attend an eye donation camp, and annadanam is the greatest when we attend a food distribution event. But, as far as I am concerned, all donations are very great donations,” he said.
Highlighting the transformative power of the gift of sight, he said:
“There are so many people without eyesight. Through one person donating their eyes, we can provide vision to two people.”
For thousands living with corneal blindness, such a donation can mean the difference between navigating life in darkness and seeing the faces, places and moments that make life meaningful.
A single act can trigger a wave of giving
The Minister pointed to the powerful influence of public figures in encouraging people to embrace eye donation.
He recalled that late director and actor Bagyaraj had donated his eyes. After the news of his eye donation became known, around 600 people reportedly came forward voluntarily to pledge their eyes.
“Celebrities participating in such events create significant awareness among the public,” Dr Arunraj said.
The example underlines how one public act of generosity can inspire hundreds more, turning individual compassion into a collective movement.
Tamil Nadu builds stronger eye-care foundations
Dr Arunraj said the Tamil Nadu Government was taking several initiatives to prevent vision loss and strengthen early detection of eye-related disorders.
He referred to the announcement in the State Budget to provide fundus cameras at the block level, enabling early identification of eye-related problems through clear imaging of the retina.
Tamil Nadu has also developed a sizeable eye-donation infrastructure. Government data cited in the State’s health initiatives indicate that 36 eye banks received 34,330 donated eyes for corneal transplantation, while around 10,000 people registered online as eye donors during the year reported.
The Minister stressed that Government efforts alone would not be enough and called for volunteers and members of the public to actively participate in awareness programmes.
‘Tamil Nadu remains a front-runner in organ donation’
ராஜன் ஐ கேர் மருத்துவமனையும், தி.நகர் ரோட்டரி
கிளப்பும் இணைந்து ஏற்பாடு செய்திருந்த…கண் தான விழிப்புணர்வு பேரணியை மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் அவர்களின் அறிவுறுத்தலின் பேரில்… இன்றைய தினம் காலை சென்னை பெசன்ட் நகர் கடற்கரையில் கொடியசைத்து துவக்கி வைத்தோம்.
திரை கலைஞர்கள்… pic.twitter.com/Ziv4GRQdeT
— Arunraaj TVK (@arunraajkg) September 6, 2026
Responding to journalists, Dr Arunraj said Tamil Nadu has consistently maintained a leading position in organ donation.
“Tamil Nadu is the first State in India in organ donation. Tamil Nadu has continued to be a leading State in organ donation for several years,” he said.
However, he said eye donation required an additional thrust because the number of people requiring corneal tissue remains high.
“The number of people who require corneas is high. Awareness must be created in such a way that the number of people donating their eyes also increases,” he said.
More than eyes: A pledge to save lives
Dr Arunraj also broadened the appeal from eye donation to organ donation, stressing that the gift of organs after death could save several lives.
“Not only eye donation, but by donating organs, we can save many lives. Through that, we can save a family.”
He urged the public to come forward and pledge both eye and organ donation, reinforcing the message that a person’s capacity to give need not end with life.
The Union Government has likewise highlighted the continuing shortage of donated corneas and the importance of awareness campaigns to address misconceptions and encourage more people to pledge their eyes.
Turning a final gift into someone’s first glimpse of tomorrow
The Chennai rally was therefore more than an awareness event. It was a reminder that vision can be passed from one life to another.
For a person waiting for a corneal transplant, an eye donation can mean seeing a sunrise, recognising a loved one, reading a book, returning to work or simply looking at the world with wonder.
That is why the message from the rally resonates far beyond September 8:
Donate eyes. Give sight. Leave behind a world someone else can see.
The event was attended by Rotary District Governor Sriram Duvvuri, Shanthanu, Keerthi Shanthanu, Dr Mohan Rajan and Dr Sujatha Mohan, among others.
