Tech Mahindra Foundation hosts Saajhi Samajh on ‘Evolving Role of Teachers in Eye Health at Schools’

New Delhi : Today, Tech Mahindra Foundation (TMF), the Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) arm of Tech Mahindra, hosted the fifth edition of Saajhi Samajh on ‘Evolving Role of
Teachers in Eye Health at Schools’. On the occasion of the World Sight Day on 14th October 2021, this
event marks the release of a research report and a panel discussion with experts on this year’s theme.
The event session was well-attended by hundreds of school teachers, educators, and young students to
understand the significance of eye health right from primary school.
Speaking about the initiative, Rakesh Soni, CEO, Tech Mahindra Foundation said “Blindness and visual
impairment is preventable if detected at early stages. Therefore, improving eye health awareness in
schools, especially amongst teachers, is a potential solution to identify early stages of vision ailments
amongst school children. With that view, teachers can play a great role if equipped with appropriate eye
healthcare knowledge and awareness.”
The event also marked the release of a research report titled- ‘Teacher’s Perspective, Awareness and
Understanding of Student’s Eye Health’, by Dr Umang Mathur, Executive Director, Dr Shroff’s Charity
Eye Hospital, New Delhi. The report is based on extensive research conducted by the Research,
Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit of the Tech Mahindra Foundation across government school teachers in
Delhi. According to the respondents, the research highlights that, ‘too much screen time’ is rated as the
highest contributing factor towards the eye health issues in children, and the lowest-rated factor is
hereditary or genetics. The report also highlights how teachers can be the catalysts and play an important
role in the eye health of children.
Addressing the evolving role of teachers in creating awareness about Eye Health in schools, the panel
discussion was undertaken by prominent field experts including Dr Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director,
Orbis India, Dr Amruta Tripathi, Consultant Ophthalmologist, The Heart and Eye Clinic, Mumbai and Ms
Preeti Monga, Founder CEO & Trustee, Silver Linings Trust along with Ms Lalita Maurya, Leader of Mentor
Teachers of Hindi Group from an NDMC government school. Know more about the event here.