The Lions Club of Byculla, which has been associated with the ophthalmic department of the B. Y. L. Nair Hospital, Bombay since 1981, donated a Zeiss surgical operating microscope worth Rs 10,89,000 to the Hospital on August 30, 2016. The donation was received from the Dhun Pestonji Parakh Discretionary Trust, states a write-up received from Capt Percy Master of the Club.
The emotional quotient of the occasion was heightened as Dr Anjali Daraius Nicholson, who headed the department and nurtured it during her decade long tenure, was due to retire the following day, August 31. Dr Ashok Mehta, past president of Lions International, donated Rs 50,000 to the Club for setting up an annual award in honor of Nicholson, to be presented to the best doctor in the department.
Lion Club of Byculla members at Nair Hospital (from left): Dr Minoo Sanjana,
Vistasp Sachinwalla, Percy Master, Dr Avinash, Percy Buharivala,
Dr Anjali Nicholson, Dr Darshana, Dr Arnie Buharivala; Dr Ashok Mehta
Master informed the gathering that the Lions Club has "seen the department grow in front of their eyes” during the past 35 years of association. Every type of equipment has been donated by the Club, including a fully equipped mobile ophthalmic van worth nearly Rs 20 lakhs in June 2004 which has provided excellent service for eye care in and around the city. Nair Hospital, along with the Lions Club of Byculla has conducted innumerable eye camps, given quality eye care to underprivileged schools, old peoples’ homes and fellowship of the physically handicapped. In 2015-16 the Club had donated equipment worth around Rs 22 lakhs to the Hospital and carried out projects worth Rs 87,52,221.
Thanking Dr Arnie Buharivala and her husband Percy of the Club for taking a keen interest in the development of the department, Master also expressed gratitude for assistance received from members Tehmasp Munshi and Shahrukh Marolia for the successful completion of all the projects. President Vistasp Sachinwalla thanked all the guests and Club members for being present on the occasion at such an early hour of the day, the write-up notes.