Published ; The Tribune, February 8, 2009
Pak national to see world through Indian eye
Anshu Seth
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 7
“I am elated to see the world through the eye of an Indian,” said Ali Akbar from Lahore, Pakistan. An eye of a Jalandhar-based woman was donated to him after she died in a recent accident.
Akbar underwent corneal transplant at Dr Ramesh Super-speciality Eye and Laser Centre in Ludhiana. Despite tension between India and Pakistan, the embassies of both countries were prompt to accommodate this patient for a visa on medical grounds.
Ali Akbar said having spent huge amount on his treatment in Pakistan he was unable to get back his sight he had lost following an eye injury. “ My exporter from Ludhiana discussed my case with Dr Ramesh who agreed to do the corneal transplant and here I am looking at the world with the eye of an Indian woman.. I salute the gesture of her family as they have re-established my faith in humanity above the man-made boundaries,” added overwhelmed Ali Akbar.
On his preferring India over western countries for treatment, Ali Akbar said it was the ‘mehmaan nawazi’ in the state that made him take the decision.
Akbar, who had lost his left eye, has pledged his own.“There is a need of the organ donation campaign in Pakistan that is why there is no facility of corneal transplant also. I am going to promote the good cause in my Urdu weekly ‘Akbar-e- Jahan’, he added.
Dr Ramesh Kumar, corneal transplant expert promised to perform free operations for all patients coming from neighbouring state. “It is golden chance to spread the message of the noble cause of eye donation which is being carried on by the Punarjot Eye Bank Society."
(Anshu Seth, is a Ludhiana based Journalist with The Tribune)
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