The socially engaged Buddhist non-profit organization the Foundation of His Sacred Majesty (FHSM) has extended its free eye clinic program for the underprivileged in India, where the organization runs multiple programs aimed at assisting and empowering socially marginalized and economically challenged communities.
FHSM shared with BDG that it has held a series free eye clinics in the eastern seaport city of Chennai (formerly Madras) in recent weeks,* with additional eye clinics in Hyderabad, and has helped to provided ongoing assistance and support to people who lack access to costly medical care.
“The FHSM has completed a total of six eye camps in Chennai,” FHSM president Rev. Gauthama Prabu told BDG. “We earlier conducted five clinics in the neighborhoods of Kaspapuram, Kamarajapuram, Perambur, Tiruvottriyur, and Peerkankarai—all of these are slum communities in Chennai.
“On 28 October, we completed our sixth eye camp in Chennai and our third eye camp in Hyderabad. Out of total screenings of 3,552 people, the FHSM has so far supported 191 elderly persons with free cataract surgeries, and more than 1,088 poor people with free spectacles in Chennai and Hyderabad.
“We thank all our doctors, well-wishers, and supporters for making this event successful,” Rev. Prabu emphasized.
Headquartered in Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu, the FHSM is founded on and guided by the principles of socially engaged Buddhism, and is focused on helping deprived and marginalized communities. The foundation’s activities are based on four broad propositions: protecting and conserving ecosystems; promoting alternative healthcare systems; social transformation through strengthening grassroots democracy and good governance; and sustainable livelihoods, education, and social empowerment. The FHSM is affiliated with the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB).
“Blindness is one of the most debilitating health disorders and avoidable blindness is a major international health problem,” Rev. Prabu explained. “The World Health Organization estimates that 180 million people suffer from severe visual impairment (legally blind, by International standards). The leading cause of blindness throughout the world is cataracts and 90 per cent of this blindness is found in the developing world. Approximately 80 per cent of blindness is avoidable and can be prevented or cured with appropriate treatment. Thus, the FHSM aims to support 10 remote eye camps per year.”
The FHSM’s free eye clinics are supported by the Mumbai-headquartered company All Cargo Logistics, with medical expertise provided in cooperation with medical organizations such as Agarwal Eye Hospital and the L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad.
Named in commemoration of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (r. c. 268–c. 232 BCE), a key figure in the propagation of Buddhism across Asia, the Foundation of His Sacred Majesty was established in 2007 with a mission to “preserve, promote, and disseminate the principles of liberty, equality, fraternity, and social justice through non-formal education, sustainable livelihood, and conservation of ecology, alternative/preventive medicines, social empowerment, social advocacy, and social development in order for the restoration of the human dignity of the poor and marginalized.” (Facebook)
“Altogether, the FHSM has completed 17 free eye camps in India in the current financial year 2023–24, supporting more than 364 beneficiaries with free cataract surgeries and 2,018 beneficiaries with free spectacles, spread over states such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka,” said Rev. Prabu, who is also chairman of the Tamil Buddhist Society. “Since 2013, FHSM has successfully conducted 3,509 free cataract surgeries, provided 13,670 people with free spectacles, and screened 59,974 people among the marginalised communities of India, covering states such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.
“We thank our donors for having confidence in us while pursuing this noble endeavour, and supporting us for the past 11 years. We extend our gratitude and loving-kindness to all the medical practitioners, volunteers, well-wishers, and our beloved staff team for being part of this endeavor.”
For more information on the FHSM:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +91-9791239333 / +91-8680020086 / +91-9840813935International donations:
Account name: Foundation of His Sacred Majesty
Bank: State Bank of India
Account number: 31203682095
Branch: Selaiyur, Chennai
SWIFT code: SBININBB298
IFSC code: SBIN0007948Donations within India:
Account name: Foundation of His Sacred Majesty
Bank: State Bank of India
Account number: 30522574810
Branch: Selaiyur, Chennai
IFSC code: SBIN0007948
* Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Non-profit FHSM Holds Free Eye Clinics for Underprivileged Communities in Chennai, India (BDG) and Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Non-profit FHSM Continues Free Eye Clinics for Underprivileged Communities in India (BDG)
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Foundation of His Sacred Majesty (Facebook)
Foundation of His Sacred Majesty India (YouTube)
Foundation of His Sacred Majesty (LinkedIn)
International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)
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