[Bhubaneswar, February 19, 2025]: The Manorama Choudhury Nayan Jyoti Vision-Aid CVI Resource Centre, a pioneering effort to alleviate the challenges faced by children with CVI and their families was made possible with the support of Vision-Aid USA. The centre was inaugurated on February 19, 2025 by Mrs. Manorama Choudhury the donor of the centre, in the presence of Vision-Aid founders Mr. Ramakrishna (Ram) Raju and Mrs. Revathy Ramakrishna, Mr Sanyasi Kumar Behera, Deputy Secretary of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disability Department (SSEPD), other dignitaries from within LVPEI and beyond.
CVI constitutes a brain-based visual impairment where the eyes may function normally, but the brain's ability to interpret and comprehend visual information is impaired. Approximately 30–40% of children with visual impairment have CVI, which ranks among the leading causes of paediatric visual impairment worldwide. An astonishing 60-70% of these children also contend with additional disabilities, heightening the complexity of their lives. The impact of CVI extends far beyond physical constraints, affecting a child's learning, social interactions, and overall quality of life.
This centre offers a range of services, including clinical examinations, tailored vision assessments, and specialized interventions like vision therapy, visual skills training, speech therapy, and counselling for children and their families. It also provides modifications to home environments, engaging group activities, parental support groups, and training in skills for independent living aimed at enriching the lives of children with CVI.
On the occasion of the inauguration, Vision-Aid founders Ramakrishna (Ram) Raju and Revathy Ramakrishna on behalf of the entire Vision-Aid family expressed joy and gratitude for the much-needed services that the resource centre will provide to infants and children with CVI in Bhubaneswar and surrounding regions of Odisha. They elaborated, 'We are honored to partner with the L V Prasad Eye Institute. We have the deepest admiration for their immense commitment, dedication and service to the visually impaired. Our special thanks to Dr Beula Christy and the entire Institute for Vision Rehabilitation for their long-standing partnership and the amazing team of LVPEI @ MTC campus by Dr Srikanth Sahu, Dr Debasmita Majhi and many others.'
Mrs. Manorama Choudhury, a significant donor to the centre said, 'We are deeply grateful to all the stakeholders who made this resource centre a reality. It holds the promise of transforming lives, helping children see beyond their limitations, and fostering self-esteem and independence. My husband, Bhaskar Panigrahi, and I extend our heartfelt best wishes to Vision-Aid, LVPEI and all those involved in this remarkable endeavor. May this initiative bring light and new possibilities to countless lives.'
Dr Debasmita Majhi, who will be leading the centre at MTC mentioned, 'We are committed to providing comprehensive vision rehabilitation services, including psychological support, low vision assessment and assistive devices, training skills for mobility and independent living, peer support, and advocacy services. The Vision-Aid CVI resource centre is a crucial step toward ensuring that children with CVI receive the right support at the right time and are empowered to reach their full potential. I hope and wish it will encourage other philanthropists from Odisha to take this forward.'
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Srikant Kumar Sahu, Head of LVPEI MTC Campus LVPEI said, 'Our aim is to empower children with CVI and enable them to navigate the world confidently and independently through specialized training and support. We are very optimistic about the transformative impact the Vision-Aid CVI resource centre will have on their lives, fostering greater inclusion and opportunity. We deeply appreciate Mr. Bhaskar Panigrahi, Mrs. Manorama Choudhury and Vision-Aid for their generosity and support in making this possible.'
The resource centre is an embodiment of hope, compassion, and innovation for children with CVI and their families.