Dr. Grover receives `Padma Shri’ award

An ophthalmologist of repute, the gem of a person, a distinguished orator-cum-teacher, and the chairman of the department of ophthalmology, with whom I had the privilege to work as Refractionist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, Dr. A. K. Grover has been bestowed with the `Padma Shri’ award this year. My heartiest congratulations!

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Non-regulated practice of optometry

As depicted in this cartoon from Optometry Today, January-March 1974 issue, optometrists have been struggling for getting the profession recognized in a country where anyone can open an optical shop without training or registration. Are the authorities listening and will they care to see to the redressal of the plight of our people receiving inadequate vision care services from non-qualified providers?

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Optometrists’ CVs

Optical outlets, ophthalmologists, companies and organizations keep on contacting Optometry Today from time to time for suitable candidates. Interested optometrists may, therefore, send their resumes to to be passed on to outlets looking for such information.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Manufacturer’s deficient service

It was in 1970’s when I was working as Refractionist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi that my orthoptist colleague mentioned about the ordeal faced by her in neither getting the Synoptophore ordered by her nor getting the amount back that she had long ago paid as advance to a manufacturer of ophthalmic instruments. On my writing to the supplier, as editor of Optometry Today, about his comments on the complaint within a specified period of time, the advance-amount was paid back instantly, but the regular advertising in OT was also cancelled. Not only this, one fine morning, there was a sarcastic call to the effect: “Congratulations, your name is being considered for `Padmashree’ award”. I admit, I don’t have a Godfather who could work towards my getting the prestigious national award, but I do know that my self-less service to eye care profession, trade and industry in India has surely earned me friends not only from within the country but also from around the world, and Optometry Today, too, has earned a respectable name.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Strange are the ways of life

“Start no new project on a Tuesday”, used to say my ophthalmologist-boss in 1970’s. “Don’t get your hair-cut done on a Thursday”, says my wife. “Don’t embark on a journey”, says my mother-in-law. “Don’t dare wear a neelam”, cautioned a friend in 1960’s. “He won’t study for more than the 3rd standard”, an astrologer told my pitaji when I was a child. “You won’t visit an overseas country”, forecasted someone long long ago. Diwali and New Year greeting cards are received every year from a relative only after formal celebrations are over. Truly strange are the ways of life! (Picture shows me with wife Sheela at an optical show-room in Tokyo in 2005).

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Wrong presentation

A person called in recently saying that he was an optometrist, and wanted his son (who was having squint) to be examined by the ophthalmologist at our eye clinic. The receptionist gave him 50% discount in fee. Later it turned out that he was not an optometrist, but had merely possessed FDOA. It appears that persons having undergone such short-term courses in opticianry invariably present themselves as optometrists, and the practice is derogatory to the professional growth of qualified optometry.

Dr. Narendra Kumar