Like every year, the Rangamatia-based eye hospital celebrated its Foundation Day with great joy & ceremony on 28th December. The entire MGEHRI family, Community members, Policy Makers, Activists, and Media Personnel came together to celebrate the inspiring Journey and its milestones.
Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital & Research Institute observed its 22nd Foundation Day and Annual Function event on 28th December, 2022. The auspicious occasion was graced by honorable guests Shri Rajkishore Das, MLA – Morada, Sj. Narayan Bhattacharya, Chairman – Antyodaya Chetana Mandal, Prof. Sudhir Ku. Jena, Vice Chairman – MGEHRI, Dr. Aditya Patnaik, Director – MGEHRI, Mrs. Geetanjali Pattnaik, Founder – Gandhi Gurukul, Bipin Bihari Biswal, Senior littérateur, and Ramakant Nayak, President – Sarvodaya Society Cuttack.
MGEHRI’s renowned ophthalmic doctors – Dr S.K. Das, Dr Pratap Ch. Mohanta, Dr Samir Patra, Dr Shiprarani Paul, and many noted journalists and social workers also added charm to the Foundation Day’s ceremony.
The ceremonial event started with flower offerings to Bapu followed by Sacred Diya lighting and a beautiful Welcome Chorus. Young Engineer and Social Worker – Pratik Pattnaik, currently working with MGEHRI as Project Director along with Senior Hospital Staff – Sarbeswar Das and Jagyanseni Pattanayak welcomed all the guests and community people with warm hearts and greetings.
Dr Aditya Patnaik, the founder cum Director of MGEHRI initiated the meeting with “Report to Public” and briefed about the progress and projects that had happened throughout the year.
Chief Guest – Mr Rajkishore Das, MLA – Morada, appreciated the noble work done by MGEHRI in 2022 and promised to offer complete support and help from the government.
Sj. Narayan Bhattacharya, the Chairman of Antyodaya Chetana Mandal, emphasized the role of Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj Model in empowering the rural populace and thanked MGEHRI Fraternity for serving the masses with advanced eye care facilities and treatment in such a remote area.
Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jena said, Mayurbhanj is blessed to have Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital on its land and highlighted the role of MGEHRI in eradicating blindness from society.
Next, recognising the dedication, hard work, and Spirit to Serve, Dr Samir Kumar Patra (Ophthalmologist), Arun Ota (Journalist), Benudhar Dehuri (MGEHRI Staff), and Laxman Murmu (MGEHRI Staff) were felicitated with Gandhi Inspire Award 2022.
As the Foundation Day ceremony came to its last front, Dr Aditya Patnaik thanked all the attendees for their valuable time and presence. He mentioned, “It is the Trust & Love of the people that have helped us to sustain in this rural belt of Odisha. Since inception, our only mission is the Total eradication of blindness and entire MGEHRI Family is passionately working towards achieving it. In the coming years, Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital ensures to provide the most-advanced eyecare facilities and treatment at Rangamatia itself. We will make sure no one in our community suffers due to any kind of eye illness.“
Indeed, these words by Aditya Patnaik sir gave a sense of contentment to the local populace and everyone in the meeting cheered up with claps & applause.
The gathering was a huge success and the final Vote of Thanks was given by Mr Pratik Pattnaik and Jagyanseni Pattnayak.
Inaugurated by Sj. Krishna Kant (Former Vice President of India) and Sj. Naveen Patnaik (Chief Minister of Odisha) in the year 2000, Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital & Research Institute has been a constant HOPE for rural populace in Northern Odisha when it comes to quality eye care & treatment.