Akhand Jyoti Delivers Eye Care, Jobs, Football to Bihar's Underprivileged Girls

Bihar, till recently notorious for poor health services and lawlessness, is now presenting a different picture in the field of setting examples in medical care.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

In a remote village of Saran district, about 50 kms from Patna, is a living example of one of the best medicare and health services with local resources and women empowerment.

A charity hospital, Akhand Jyoti, that specializes in eye care is not only treating eye conditions but also running a unique initiative for the empowerment of underprivileged girls. Poor girls who have completed their 10th or 12th grade are provided free residential education and training to become optometrists. Since 2009, 725 girls have been part of this program, now working as optometrists, technicians, or in other roles. Football plays a crucial role in this initiative—the girls are required to play football. So far, 15 girls have participated in national-level football tournaments, including Sonia Rai, who has captained Bihar's women's football team.