Akhand Jyoti’s Vision 2030: 12 million eye screenings to empower Bihar girls

Akhand Jyoti’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative aims to empower girls in Bihar through a unique blend of sports and healthcare. The program plans to conduct 12 million eye screenings and two million eye surgeries, addressing critical health needs while promoting education and gender equality.

The initiative, inspired by Mritunjay Tiwari, a former professional footballer from Kolkata, links football with girls' education. Nearly 800 girls from Mastichak village are employed as optometrists, with some even participating in national-level football tournaments.

"This initiative is instrumental in targeting gender-based inequalities, exploitation and child marriage—all of which afflict Bihar—and to provide equal opportunities to them," said a program representative.

Girls who develop an interest in football are offered full-time training and accommodation at hostels within the hospital center. Akhand Jyoti covers the entire cost of education, training, and living expenses, aiming to motivate these girls to become ophthalmic personnel and role models in their communities.

“Once a girl develops an interest in the sport, the institution offers them to join full-time and reside at the hostels within the hospital centre. The entire cost of education, training, and living is undertaken by Akhand Jyoti,” the representative added.

By combining healthcare with sports and education, Akhand Jyoti’s Vision 2030 is a pioneering effort to combat social issues like child marriage and gender inequality, while improving eye health and creating sustainable employment opportunities for girls in Bihar.

Akhand Jyoti’s Vision 2030 aims to empower Bihar girls by conducting 12 million eye screenings and two million surgeries, linking football with education. Nearly 800 girls are employed as optometrists, with full support for education and training, combating gender inequality and child marriage in the region.