Essilor partners with Government of Odisha, launch Eye Mitra

The programme aims to improve the lives of rural communities by improving their sight and by creating work opportunities for under-employed or unemployed youth

Essilor announced its partnership with Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA), an organisation of the Government of Odisha, India, for the local implementation of the Eye Mitra programme. Through this partnership over 300 young people will be trained to become primary vision care providers known as Eye Mitras who will provide affordable vision care for local communities.

Eye Mitra, Essilor’s inclusive business 2.5 New Vision Generation (2.5 NVG), aims to help young people to set up village based businesses to detect vision problems and dispense affordable eyeglasses. The programme aims to improve the lives of rural communities by improving their sight and by creating work opportunities for under-employed or unemployed youth.

The partnership between 2.5 NVG and OSDA was signed by Milind Jadhav, Head of 2.5 NVG India and Rajesh Patil, IAS, Director & CEO OSDA, recently in Bhubaneswar. “I feel honoured to sign this agreement with Essilor’s 2.5 New Vision Generation in the presence of our honorable Chief Minister of Odisha,” said Patil “This partnership will not only give the citizens of Odisha access to good vision which will ultimately improve their life quality, it will also provide young men and women with training opportunities and the capacity to build a sustainable income.”

Jadhav commented “We’re delighted to partner with the Government of Odisha to further our common goal of social and economic development in developing countries. Uncorrected poor vision affects one in three people in India impacting their ability to learn, work and be safe. In line with Essilor Group’s mission of improving lives by improving sight, 2.5 New Vision Generation is working to eradicate poor vision by raising awareness on the issue and creating access to vision care where it is needed most. We look forward to bringing the immediate benefits of eyeglasses to people in Odisha and at the same time creating work opportunities for young individuals.”

The partnership was signed in the presence of Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Odisha, Usha Devi, Minister – Planning & Convergence, Skill Development & Technical Education, Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, OSDA, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary, and Saugata Banerjee, Vice President, South & South East Asia, 2.5 NVG.