For artisans, art assumes the highest priority not only because it is their source of their income but also because it is inherited from their forefathers. A majority of the art, be it embroidery, appliqué work, hand block printing, bell making or anything else, requires intensive use of the eyes. Eyes are the most important tools for an artisan, and this is especially true for those who do minute work like embroidery.

Most of the artisans lack the ability to have regular medical checkups. Lack of access to facilities and money to pay for healthcare prevent them from seeking help and sometimes their ailments can worsen. To help the artisans in this regard, we organized a free `eye checkup camp’ for the poor artisans living in the remote desert areas near Barmer, Rajasthan in association with our partner NGO, SURE, who actively works for the betterment of the rural population in that area. In the camp, around 326 rural women artisans and their families were given free eye exams by a qualified ophthalmologist.

A total of 120 people were diagnosed to have poor vision; 110 were women artisans. All these patients were provided (free of cost) with good quality eye glasses. In addition to this, around 54 people were diagnosed with acute eye ailments and were given free medicine and advised to seek further treatment. They will be offered eye surgeries at subsidized rates.