Mahottari, 20 February: Setimaya Tamang, 70, of Dhungre Gananta, Churekachh, Bardibas Municipality-5, has remembered many times holding a flag in her hand and shouting ‘Zindabad’ on the occasion of Democracy Day, but she has not felt any joy associated with it. Tamang, who used to shout ‘Zindavad’ just because others told her to, without understanding the meaning and importance of Democracy Day, will never forget this day. The eye check-up camp organized by the Rotary Club of Bardibas, Rotary Club of Hetauda and Rotrac Club of Hetauda for the residents of Kachh on the occasion of Democracy Day has made Setimaya remember this day in a way that she will never forget.
On the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day, she had her eyes checked in her own village on Tuesday and underwent cataract surgery on Wednesday. She is overjoyed to see the world with a clear vision after the bandages she wore during the surgery are removed in the next few days. “The doctor who came to her village checked her eyes and said that she should have an operation. Today, he took her home, performed the operation and took her home,” said Setimaya. “Now, after removing the bandages, I will be able to see everything clearly.” She has not been able to go outside her house for the past decade after suffering from cataracts, and now she wants to travel around the entire village.
Not only Setimaya, but also 75-year-old Junumaya Ale, 76-year-old Gopimaya Dhaga, and 60-year-old Gangamaya Thokar of Kachhbasti underwent cataract surgery on Wednesday. Along with them, 17 people with cataracts underwent surgery at the Hetauda Community Eye Hospital. “I can open my eyes again and see the world, what more could I want to be happy in old age!” says 76-year-old Gopimaya Dhaga, “May all those who made this arrangement come to an end.”
This year, an eye check-up camp was organized on the occasion of Democracy Day, said Rotary Club of Bardibas President Bishnu Puri. Out of 350 people who underwent eye check-up in the camp, 17 underwent cataract surgery, while more than 100 people were given glasses and 200 were given medicines, he informed.
Some had not sought treatment for their eye problems for the past 10 years. The camp organized on the occasion of Democracy Day was very beneficial, said Kaharman Syangba, ward chairman of Bardibas-5. “Members of extremely poor families who could not afford eye treatment and surgery due to lack of financial resources received facilities ranging from eye examination to surgery on the occasion of Democracy Day. This is a very unforgettable and commendable work,” he said.
Puri, president of the Rotary Club of Bardibas, informed that David X and Xley Holdings Limited, members of the Rotary Club in Tasmania, Australia, have provided financial resources for this.
