Maharashtra Ophthalmological Society, created history by becoming the First State in the country to organise the Glaucoma Awareness rally in all its districts and Taluka places of Maharashtra on SAME DAY SAME TIME as a part of its community initiative led by its President Dr Gopal Arora.
The rally was to spread awareness about Glaucoma, the 3rd leading cause of blindness in the world. 6 crore people are affected by Glaucoma worldwide and India has one fifth of them. Glaucoma is a silent thief of sight and leads to irreversible blindness. 90 percent of patients in an Indian survey were unaware of their condition which justifies the importance of making people aware of this vision threatening disease.
The Rally was flagged off by the Mayor,  Nanda Jichkar and MLA Dr Milind Man, at 9.00 Am. Mayor appreciated the efforts of MOS in creating public awareness about this vision threatening disease and expressed that it should be taken to a national level. It witnessed large participation by Eye surgeons, I. M. A. members, Rotarians and many medical Institutions of the city. Best placards, best slogan, and beat team participation awards were given to Swami Vivekanand Mission Khapri, IGGMC, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences, Suraj Eye Institute and Madhav Netralya.  IMA, Rotary Dist 3030, JCI, Lions and Mure memorial hospital participated with great enthusiasm .
Besides Rally, Glaucoma awareness lectures for lay people, free Glaucoma detection camps, Radio and T.V. Shows and skits are being organised throughout this week. The MOS Led by Dr President, Gopal Arora, Secretary , Dr Anand Pangarkar, and Treasurer, Dr Rafat Khan, The Vidarbha Ophthalmological  Society led by Dr Rajesh Joshi and Ophthalmological Society Of Nagpur Led by Dr Varsha Rahatekar, and Secretary Dr Rishi Mayee, Dr Viral Shah , all worked hard for-the success of the programme.
Dr Arora informed that 36 districts of Maharashtra witnessed similar rallies at same time which had a huge impact of this blinding eye disease on general public at large. All District Ophthalmic societies of Maharashtra and members actively participated in the rally across the state and it has turned out to be a huge success.
Prominently present were Dr Ashish Disawal, President IMA, Dr Dinesh Agarwal Secretary IMA, Dr Vinky Rughwani, member MMC, Dr Vilas Shende, Director Mure Memorial Hospital, Dr Vinay Nangia, Dr Prashant Agnihotri , Dr Sharad Ranade, Sanjay Chauhan, Rtn Rajesh Wyawhare, Rtn Ajay Kapoor, Rtn Minal, Rtn Vivek Deshpande ,Rtn. Parag Paranjpe, Rtn Rajiv Behal, Dr Smita Pakhmode
