Thaindian News

Lucknow, Oct 31 (IANS) Consulting this lawyer means supporting a social cause. For, he makes clients “pay” a portion of his “charges” by signing an eye donation pledge.

Rajendra Gupta, 56, a district court lawyer in Meerut, has been sensitising people on the importance of eye donation for over five years.

“In order to involve more and more people in my campaign, I have now started making my clients sign a form for donating their eyes,” Gupta told IANS by telephone from Meerut.

Gupta, who started spreading awareness about eye donation in January 2006, has till now convinced over 350 people to take the pledge.

“I believe sensitising people towards eye donation is one of our main social responsibilities. It feels just great when you associate yourself with a noble campaign that can light up the lives of the blind,” said Gupta, a native of Brahmapuri neighbourhood.

“I derive a unique sense of satisfaction that can’t be put into words when I see eye donations bringing smiles to the faces of those who once used to lead dark lives…I always ask people to keep the fact in their mind that when we donate our eyes, the blind are reborn,” he added.

Asked what prompted him to undertake such a drive, Gupta said: “Around six years ago, I witnessed the tragic death of a blind man. He was crushed to death by a heavy vehicle while crossing the road.”

“At that time, I thought the young man would not have met the tragic end if he were not blind. Deeply moved by the accident, I decided to undertake a campaign for spreading light in the lives of the blind,” said Gupta.

Gupta, his wife, two sons and five brothers have already pledged to donate their eyes. He undertakes several activities to spread awareness about the importance of eye donation.

Despite having a busy professional life, Gupta starts his day as early as 5.30 a.m. for the social cause.

“In the morning I visit various parks and playgrounds to convince people for eye donation. Though I approach people of various age groups, it’s from youth I get the most positive response,” said Gupta.

He also regularly organises awareness programmes on eye donation with the help of NGOs.

But spearheading the campaign has not been easy. “On several occasions in the past I was literally abused by several people. They thought I had some vested interest in trying to convince them for eye donation,” he said.

“Moreover, several myths are also associated with eye donation. These are not confined to illiterate ones but are common also among those from well-off and educated families,” he said.

“Some people think if they donate their eyes, they would be born blind in the next life. People also hesitate to pledge their eyes for donation, worrying about how their relatives will react,” said Gupta.

(Asit Srivastava can be contacted at asit.s@ians.in)