Telangana village's 500 residents pledge to donate eyes
What's the story
Mucherla, a small village in Hanumakonda district of Telangana, has made it to the national headlines as all its 500 inhabitants have pledged to donate their eyes after death.
The movement was started by Mandala Ravinder, a divisional engineer and local resident who first pledged his mother's eyes for donation a decade ago.
Since then, around 70 villagers have already donated their eyes posthumously.
Community impact
Eye donation pledge strengthens community bonds in Mucherla
Not only has the eye donation pledge created a sense of community and compassion among the villagers, but it has also brought families closer.
Malla Reddy, a local resident, said that they inform Ravinder about any death in the family who contacts doctors for necessary procedures.
"He is our go-to man," Reddy said of Ravinder's role in coordinating with medical professionals.
Ripple effect
Mucherla's organ donation initiative inspires neighboring villages
Mucherla's successful organ donation initiative has inspired similar pledges in neighboring villages.
At least 20 people from these areas have pledged to donate their eyes to the LV Prasad Eye Institute after their passing.
Medical professionals regularly visit Mucherla to conduct health camps and raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, further strengthening this movement.
System and recognition
Mucherla's organ donation system and its recognition
The village has set up a well-oiled machinery for this noble cause, keeping meticulous records of those who have pledged to donate their eyes and coordinating with hospitals for immediate action.
Another villager, B Sujatha, said she was proud to do her bit in reducing visual impairment by donating her mother's eyes.
The village's commitment was recently recognized when it got the "Excellence in Eye Donation" award from the governor.