March 15, 2012
My dear Akhilesh ji,
Welcome and congratulations as the youngest Chief Minister of the country’s biggest state!
In the field of eye-care, Uttar Pradesh is the first state where optometry took birth in the year 1958 with the starting of the 2-year Diploma course at Gandhi Eye Hospital’s School of Optometry, Aligarh, with the examination governed by the U.P. State Medical Faculty, Lucknow.
Over the years, while Bachelor, Master and PhD courses have been introduced in other parts of the country, U.P., unfortunately, lagged behind by continuing with the same old Diploma course.
I (having qualified in optometry from Aligarh in the year 1961), on behalf of the optometric community across India, urge you to take the lead by upgrading the 2-year Diploma in 4-year Degree course in optometry at all institutes in U.P.
Since all the basic infrastructure already exists at most of the institutions, the move will soon result in the availability of an army of better qualified optometrists to take charge of the efficient care of the visual welfare of the residents of U.P.
Optometry is the first line of defence against blindness the world-over, and why should the country’s biggest state lag behind when it now enjoys the leadership of a young energetic and enlightened chief minister eager to see U.P. catch up with developed states?
The effective step could well be the appointment of a “Director, Optometric Revolution in U.P.” within the U.P. State Medical Faculty, and taking personal interest in the development of optometry as a primary eye care profession.
And, optometry apart, I would like you to tell us about the secret of your vibrant energy.
Regards.
Dr. Narendra Kumar
BAMS, DROpt, PGCR, Member IACLE
Editor, OPTOMETRY TODAY
OphthaCare Eye Centre
C4F/216 Janakpuri
New Delhi 110058
Phones 011-25599839, 25612301
OptometryToday@gmail.com
Formerly Refractionist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
Author of `Ophthalmic Dispensing Optics’ book
Rotary award winner for courteous behaviour