Shahpura, Jaipur: 14.02.2025 – Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Ltd (Chola), a leading financial services provider, reaffirms its commitment to road safety and community well-being through the Raahi National Truck Eye Health and Rural Eye Health programs. In collaboration with Sight Savers, India, these initiatives aim to improve the vision health of commercial vehicle crew members, reducing accident risks and enhancing the quality of life for India’s trucking community.
The Raahi National Truck Eye Health Program was launched in 2015 as a pilot project. The program was designed to address the critical issue of vision impairment among truck drivers. This program also recognizes that poor vision is a significant contributor to road accidents, and it provides essential eye screenings, refractive error corrections, and cataract surgeries to truck drivers and other commercial vehicle crew members. This program has expanded to multiple locations across India’s highways, particularly along the Golden Quadrilateral and North-South-East-West corridors.
The collaboration with Sight Savers, which operates 23 vision centres nationwide, has been expanded to Shahpura in Rajasthan. The Shahpura village is a key trucking hub near Jaipur, which witnesses heavy truck traffic, making it an essential location for intervention. The program will offer comprehensive vision care services, including eye screenings, distribution of spectacles, cataract operations, and counselling sessions to promote long-term eye health awareness among truck drivers.
In the financial year 2024-25, this initiative has screened over 1.5 lakh truck drivers for vision-related issues. It also distributed 65,000 spectacles to those in need. The program aims to enhance road safety and overall well-being through these efforts. Ultimately, it is expected to impact more than 2.25 lakh individuals positively.
The Rural Eye Health Program is designed to tackle avoidable blindness in these districts, which have alarmingly high visual impairment rates. This partnership program aims to improve the eye health of these communities by making services more accessible, affordable, and practical, significantly improving the quality of life for thousands.
This partnership with Sight Savers has significantly impacted 9000 individuals screened and 1800 cataract surgeries provided. In Sirohi, more than 15,200 individuals have been screened, and around 2000 cataract surgeries have been conducted.
Mr Ravindra Kumar Kundu, Managing Director & CEO of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance, said, ” Our partnership with Sight Savers for the Raahi National Truck Eye Health program and Rural Eye Health Program reflects Chola’s unwavering commitment to driving impactful change in underserved communities. Through the Raahi National Truck Eye Health program, we are committed to ensuring that India’s trucking community receives essential eye care, reducing accident risks and enhancing overall well-being. Expanding our initiative to Shahpura village reflects our dedication to making eye health services more accessible for those who need them the most.
Through the Rural Eye Health Program, we ensure that vulnerable populations in Hailakandi and Sirohi receive the attention they deserve. We restore sight and empower them to lead independent and fulfilling lives.”
The Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Ltd has always been dedicated to improving the well-being of the people. Truck drivers play a crucial role in India’s economy and road transport network, and Chola remains committed to their health and safety.
The program also focuses on increasing awareness about eye health, encouraging truck drivers to seek timely medical assistance for vision-related issues. Chola believes investing in truckers’ health reduces accident risks and improves road safety and economic productivity. The Rural Eye Health Program builds on the success of similar interventions previously implemented in Aurangabad, Bihar, and represents an expansion into Assam and Rajasthan. This initiative exemplifies the shared vision of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance with Sight Savers to ensure no one is left behind regarding healthcare access.
