The Maha Kumbh 2025 is set to create world records in several categories. The Mela Authority has planned to set four different world records this time, and there is also a strong possibility of setting a world record for the highest number of devotees gathering at a single event, officials said here on Friday.
In this sequence, a world record is expected to be set for eye tests and distribution of glasses. This is the first time in history that eye tests will be conducted for 500,000 people, and 300,000 glasses will be distributed at the same event, they said.
A grand ‘Netra Kumbh’ (Eye Kumbh) has been set up in Sector 5 near Nagvasuki, covering an area of nearly 10 acres. The ‘Netra Kumbh 2025’ will be inaugurated on January 5, and devotees visiting the event will be able to get their eyes tested for free. If needed, they can also undergo surgery at nearby hospitals upon their return.
Dr Ranjan Bajpai, a member of the organising committee, said that the Netra Kumbh will be inaugurated on January 5.
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj from Juna Akhada will lead the inauguration, with Maharaj Gaurang Prabhu as a special guest and Dr Krishna Gopal, Sangh’s Saha Sarkaryavah, as the main speaker.
Bajpai mentioned that during the previous Netra Kumbh, a large number of eye tests were conducted, and this time, the number has been doubled. The goal is to conduct 500,000 eye tests and distribute 300,000 glasses. The target for one day is 10,000 eye tests.
Extensive arrangements have been made for this event, which is expected to set a world record. The previous Netra Kumbh was included in the Limca Book of World Records, and this time, efforts will be made to secure a place in the Guinness World Records.
A committee will be formed to ensure the necessary proceedings for this. Bajpai mentioned that they have tied up with 240 big hospitals across India, and doctors from different provinces of India are coming to offer their services.
The goal is to ensure that people can regain their sight. He also shared that arrangements have been made for the accommodation and food of the doctors. Each doctor will be provided with food from their respective province.
He further sid that 40 dormitories with four beds each have been created for the doctors, and separate dormitories are available for female doctors.
A total of 140 doctors will stay in these dormitories. In addition, dormitories with 16 beds each have been set up for pilgrims, while dormitories with eight beds each have been made for volunteers.
Rajesh Kumar Singh, who is responsible for crowd management at the event, shared that the Netra Kumbh has been set up across 10 acres of land, with a total of 11 hangars, compared to only five hangars last time.
Eye tests will be conducted in an organised manner.
A large hangar has been created where all the devotees will gather, after which they will be sent to two separate OPD chambers. There, they will register and consult doctors. Behind the registration area, doctors’ chambers have been set up, with four doctors and ten optometrists in each chamber. A medicine counter and a referral counter will also be available, where people will be referred for glasses.
A separate block has been created for glasses distribution. This time, as with the last event, efforts have been made to ensure that people receive high-quality glasses.
For glasses distribution, only one vendor has been hired, who has been requested to provide the best quality glasses. This vendor works with most major eyewear companies.
Sunil Kumar Singh from Delhi, a member of the organising committee, shared that a special camp has been set up for eye donations at the Netra Kumbh. He mentioned that, inspired by the example of Emperor Harshvardhan of Prayagraj, who donated everything he had, people from across the state and country come here as donors.
He pointed out that around 1.5 crore people in the country suffer from blindness, many of whom require corneas.
He said that even a small country like Sri Lanka donates corneas to the world.
With this in mind, the organisers have pledged to set up an eye donation camp, where those willing to donate their eyes can contribute and bring light to others. During the previous Netra Kumbh, more than 11,000 people donated their eyes.
