PRESS RELEASE
April 10, 2025
For Immediate Release
[NEWTON, MA] – GoodVision proudly announces its successful participation in the historic Netra Kumbh 2025, a landmark eye health initiative conducted during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj India from January 5 to February 27, 2025. The Maha Kumbh Mela, an integral part of Indian tradition that happens every 12 years, is renowned globally as the largest peaceful gathering of people with over 400 million participating. GoodVision’s team in India helped deliver comprehensive eye care to over 237,000 festival participants, making it one of the largest temporary eye care initiatives ever conducted.
GoodVision deployed a dedicated team of 31 optometrists and support staff who worked tirelessly throughout the 53-day event at the massive 9-acre facility on the festival’s grounds. GoodVision eye care professionals conducted thousands of free eye examinations as part of the broader initiative that distributed 163,652 free prescription eyeglasses and referred 17,069 patients for further treatment including cataract surgery at partner hospitals.
“We believe that access to quality eye care is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” said Mr. Prashant Pachisia, Founder of the GoodVision India Foundation, who visited the Netra Kumbh with his family. “Our participation in Netra Kumbh 2025 aligns perfectly with our mission to eradicate preventable vision loss across India, especially among underserved communities.”
GoodVision’s contribution also included managing optical facilities and showcasing their innovative glasses production capabilities through a special exhibition that received positive feedback from visitors. The specialized team worked alongside professionals from 16 other renowned organizations, including the Apollo Foundation, Sankara Eye Hospital, and LV Prasad, forming one of the most comprehensive eye care collaborations in recent history.
The Netra Kumbh initiative represents a significant step toward addressing India’s critical vision care challenges, where more than 550 million people experience preventable visual impairment. The initiative received recognition from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was visited by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, highlighting its significance as a model public health intervention combining spiritual pilgrimage with essential healthcare services.
The GoodVision India Foundation remains committed to building on this success through continued partnerships and expanded eye care programs across India, working toward its vision of a country free from preventable blindness.
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About GoodVision USA
According to a WHO study, over 950 million people worldwide experience preventable vision loss but do not have access to quality eye care including glasses. Without good vision, children cannot learn, adults cannot work and care for their families, and individuals can’t participate fully in their communities. GoodVision is changing this. GoodVision USA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives in developing countries by providing high-quality and affordable vision care. Through innovative programs, establishing sustainable local vision care infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and advocacy, GoodVision works tirelessly to ensure that everyone, regardless of location or economic status, has the opportunity to see clearly and reach their full potential. GoodVision’s award-winning and sustainable model has strong alignment with several of the United Nation’s Strategic Development Goals (SDGs) and has a presence in 11 developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America. For more information, please visit www.goodvisionusa.org.
News Media Contact:
Matt Gianino
GoodVision USA, Executive Director
617.798.7986