A Pune-based NGO ‘Late Shankarrao Bhoi Pratishthan’ has encouraged 15,300 persons to fill up eye donation forms in last fifteen years and this year on Saturday, the eve of the World Eye-donation day, they have encouraged 47 eunuchs to fill up eye donation forms.

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The function was organised in the red light area of Budhwar Peth by the members of Ashirwad, an organization of eunuchs in the city along with Akhil Budhwar Peth Dedasi Sanghatana and Vanchit Vikas organization. The members, including its leader Panna Gabrel, expressed their determination to donate their corneas after their death and filled the forms. ‘Late Shankarrao Bhoi Pratishthan’ organizes a function every year to create awareness about eye donation on the eve of World Eye donation day. This year it had organized the function on Monday, June 10, on the eve of World Eye Donation. Milind Bhoi, the founder of the Pratishthan, said that last year he had got celebrities and veterans like Planning Commission of India member Narendra Jadhav, scientist Raghunath Mashelkar, retired Secretary with the Union Government Vijay Kelkar and noted actor Vikram Gokhale to fill up the eye donation forms. Bhoi told that the foundation has encouraged people from various walks of life including Coolies on the Railway platform, with 170 Coolies filling up the forms three years ago. Bhoi added that, “Four years ago, a group of 47 differently abled persons vowed to donate eyes and filled up forms. 5000 Warkaris or pilgrims, who take up annual Pandharpur pilgrimage, have filled up eye donation forms in last five years.”Panna Gabrel said that it was a great initiative by the foundation which gave their community a satisfaction that they were useful even after death.