NEW YORK (TIP): Eminent ophthalmologist Dr. V.K. Raju was on a visit to New York on March 27 to 29. He was in the City to give a presentation at Columbia University. Prof. Indrajit S Saluja hosted a dinner in his honor at Richie Rich Palace in Richmond Hill, Queens.

Dr. V.K. Raju spoke at length about his mission to prevent blindness among children, in particular in India. He was concerned at the large number of children losing vision in India. He has been holding eye camps in India since 1977.

Dr. Raju disclosed that he was worried about the growing number of people in Punjab suffering from sugar. He said he planned to hold camps in Punjab to screen patients of sugar and offer his medical advice. He said sugar was linked intimately with blindness.

Dr. Raju also narrated his experiences in India during his visit in January and February. He felt sorry that India had not undergone any change with the change in government there though much was being expected of the new government, whose leaders had made tall promises during election campaign.

Present on the occasion, among others, were Air India Regional Manager for Americas, Rishikant Singh, eminent film maker Tirlok Malik, HAB Bank Vice President Rizwan Qureshi, CEO of Centrum Technologies Karan Beri, INOC USA Chairman George Abraham, Jehangir Khattak of CUNY department of Journalism, Jarnail Singh Gilzian, and Davinder  and Balwant from PTC TV channel.

Dr. V.K. Raju and his daughter Dr. Leela who accompanied him were warmly received and presented bouquets.