Maneesh Media has always been eager to tell stories – of determination against all odds, stories we know will make a difference and inspire millions. So when we were approached to curate a book on Drashti Netralaya, Dahod. We whole-heartedly accepted the assignment.
Drashti Netralaya’s story is not just about the organisation, it is also about the couple who gave up everything to build it from the ground up. Drs Mehul and Shreya Shah have been working for more than 30 years to change lives by bringing back the gift of sight. Today, it is one of the most trusted charitable eye care institutions in India, providing services to millions across the tribal borders and territory of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
It is such an extraordinary journey, how could we not help preserve it in a way that would serve as a lighthouse in service and commitment to future generations.
Every Journey Begins With Discovery
Our journey began with tracing the origins of Drashti Netralaya and understanding what fuelled the determined doctor couple to leave the glamour of city lights to set up their mission in a small village in Gujarat. Their vision was an ambitious one – to eradicate preventable blindness and make quality eye care accessible to all, irrespective of economic background.
We had grown up reading about exemplary people who dedicated their lives to others — Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, and many others. Their lives seemed extraordinary, almost distant. While exploring the story of Drashti Netralaya, our team encountered that same spirit of service flourishing in Dahod. To watch two unassuming people, transform thousands of lives without seeking anything for themselves was a humbling experience.
From a Vision to a Movement
We learned about the awareness camps and eye examinations that gradually grew into a larger movement. Today, its outreach has reached more than 4.1 million children and members of the wider community. And as we explored the institution’s work, it became clear that its impact extended beyond treatment. It had become a movement in world-class vision care and beyond. Not only did they provide cutting-edge ophthalmic technology and made it available free of cost, without compromising on the quality of treatment.
They also established an optometry college offering professional education after Class 12, alongside postgraduate programmes and fellowships. These initiatives have created opportunities for young people, particularly women from tribal communities, to build careers in eye care. Nearly 70% of the workforce today comprises women, reflecting the institution’s commitment to gender empowerment alongside healthcare excellence. Its academic programmes, research initiatives and specialised training, including in ocular trauma, have also contributed to the wider eye-care ecosystem in India.
Looking Towards the Future
The conversations undertaken during the making of the book also highlighted the challenges ahead. They helped shape the way we approached the book. Through photography, narratives and design, it brings together the people and experiences behind the institution’s work: doctors who have dedicated their lives to service, patients whose lives have been transformed, students who have become professionals and communities that now have greater access to healthcare. The result is a publication that documents not only what Drashti Netralaya has achieved, but also the values that have shaped its work: compassion, resilience, education and service.
The story is not only about treating blindness, but also about preventing future generations from developing avoidable visual problems. As Dr. Shreya Shah, when speaking with us later, says, “Nearly half of all children may become myopic in the coming years because of excessive screen exposure.” Her advice is straightforward: more time outdoors, less unnecessary screen time and healthier visual habits from an early age.
