There is a significant section of population in the country belonging to economically backward class. It is essential for the children of this community to rise beyond their limitations and secure themselves a secure and dignified livelihood. One such inspiring story of struggle and success comes from one of our Vision Technicians, Binod Hembram.

Binod hails from an economically background community in a small village called Shyamsundarpur, Paschim Burdwan district of West Bengal. From childhood, he was experiencing financial dearth in the family and was observing his parent’s struggle to run the family. His father’s deteriorating health was worrying him, and he decided to start working from a very young age. After Madhyamik only he started working in various factories and at the same time continued his studies. In all these jobs, he confronted various challenges but his determination to earn money did not panic him and he readily accepted all the hardest and laborious jobs. At times, he even helped his father in cultivation.

He was in his 2nd year of college when he learnt about Susrut’s Vision Technician training program from Loudaha Lamps. This was a turning point in his life. During the Vision Technician course, he learnt about refractive error correction, lens grinding, edging, grouping, glass fitting, optical dispensing and medical measures for eye problems. After successfully completing the one-year course, he started working in Susrut and was exposed to different sections of hospital and outreach activities. He is now more efficient in automatic and manual machines for edging and glass fitting. His hard work and dedication changed his persona and now his seniors consider him as one of the most efficient Vision Technician having immense potential to undertake multiple work and carry outreach activities without guidance and support.

Binod feels that for years he was working hard to merely earn bread for his family but Susrut Foundation and WBTDCC paved his destiny and made his life worth living. His neighbors in the village consider him equivalent to doctor because in many occasions he has advised them with correct measures for some minor eye ailments. He smiles and says, “Earlier I had no recognition in my village but now people come to me for medical advice in terms of eye problems and I feel very happy and content when I am able to solve their eye problems.” He now looks forward to opening his own optical shop and wants to mould himself into a successful entrepreneur.

Susrut Eye Foundation and Research Centre is an approved training partner of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The center has provided training to numerous candidates and also, provides financial and technical support to the certified candidates to set up their own eye care shops in the localities, thereby making the communities self-sustainable.