‘Andhatva Mukt Maharashtra’ Vision Strengthened Through the ‘Drishti Yajna’ Initiative

Eye Check-ups Completed for 7.5 Lakh Students Across 1,800 Schools So Far

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : The Government of Maharashtra has set a goal of making the state blindness-free. Various initiatives are being implemented under this mission. As part of this effort, in April 2019, then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a partnership between the Government of Maharashtra, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and Ratnanidhi Charitable Trust to conduct eye examinations for school students. So far, 7.5 lakh students from 1,800 schools across 19 districts have undergone eye check-ups.

Vision defects in children can often lead to low self-esteem and negatively impact their educational journey. To prevent this, the government, under the Chief Minister’s initiative, partnered with EssilorLuxottica, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of lenses and eyewear. The aim is to screen 2.5 million school students and provide free spectacles to those in need. Out of those screened so far, 42,762 students requiring corrective lenses have already received high-quality spectacles.

The campaign is not limited to cities but also extends to remote, rural, and tribal schools, ensuring that no child’s education is hindered due to poor vision. The ‘Drishti Yajna – Universal School Eye Health Program’ ensures that blurred vision does not become a barrier to learning. Through this initiative, the lives of thousands of children across the state are being transformed.

Objective of the Campaign

The primary goal is to conduct comprehensive eye check-ups for 25 lakh school students in Maharashtra and provide free spectacles to those with vision defects. In the first phase, schools in the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Satara, Nashik, Pune, Nanded, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Sangli, Beed, Kolhapur, Chandrapur, Solapur, Akola, Dhule, Jalna, Buldhana, and Sindhudurg have been covered.

From bustling metropolitan areas to remote tribal villages, the campaign has reached schools where children once struggled to see the classroom blackboard. With the help of mobile screening units, skilled teams, and world-class EssilorLuxottica lenses, blurred vision has been replaced with clarity and renewed hope. As a result, students are now able to read without strain, focus better, and engage in studies with new confidence.

This initiative is not just about eye health, but also an investment in the future of Maharashtra. By ensuring clear vision, the state is opening doors to better education, higher aspirations, and brighter futures, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the occasion.