Chirag Indians — Helping Visionless See the World

The problem

The wait is long.
The window is short.

1.2 Million

Indians are blind and waiting for a cornea that could restore their sight.

Only 50,000

corneas donated every year against a need that runs into lakhs.

6 Hours

Remember, the entire process has to take place within 6 hours from the time of death.

What people get wrong

Three myths that stop pledges

“Eye donation disfigures the face.”

False. Only the cornea, a small clear layer at the front, is taken. The face looks the same.

“Any age is too old to donate.”

False. Even people aged 90+ can donate.

“Only good eyesight can be donated.”

False. Even spectacle-wearers qualify. Cataract or previous surgery is often fine too.

Please note: we are an eye donation awareness initiative and not an eye bank.

Recognition

Featured story

Poem 'Netra ki Lalsa' dedicated to the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, by Chirag Indians

President memento

Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, is the core supporter of Eye Donation.

She also has pledged her eyes. Her office acknowledged our efforts.

Newspaper report: launch of the eye donation poster and poem dedicated to the President at Sakchi Ashirwad old age home, Jamshedpur

In the news

The poster and poem launched at Sakchi Ashirwad

At the Sakchi Ashirwad old age home in Jamshedpur, the poem and poster dedicated to the President were unveiled before the residents and handed to the Brahma Kumaris.

See more stories →

Who we are

We're not a hospital. We're not an eye bank. We are a small bridge between the family of the deceased and the nearest eye bank.

We run eye donation awareness in schools, housing societies, corporates and old age homes. We are there for more than six years. Our previous website chiragindia.co.in was in existence since 2021 but because of a technical glitch, we couldn't continue and migrated to the new one.

Awareness camps in schools, apartments, offices and senior homes
Arranging pledges and donor cards
Appealing to corporates to sponsor events and ads
Spreading awareness through social media
Our founder is also a Shayar (poet) — follow him on YouTube: Om Maddala · @AapKeJazbaaat. We also help raise funds for any noble cause through Shayari stage programmes. Terms & conditions apply.

Why we do this — a short film by Chirag Indians.

Om Maddala — Duaon ki Ahmiyat (YouTube video preview) — Duaon ki Ahmiyat — Shayari by our founder, Om Maddala. Watch on YouTube ↗

Donate your eyes

It takes 2 minutes to pledge.

01Today

Pledge now

Takes 2 minutes — online on the NOTTO Donor Pledge Portal, or on a manual form from your nearest eye bank. You get a donor card. A pledge costs nothing and you can withdraw it at any time.

However, the family of the deceased can donate eyes even without a prior pledge.

NOTTO Donor Pledge Portal ↗

02Today

Tell your family today

A pledge card means nothing if your family says no later. In India, the family's consent is what allows donation to happen. Have the conversation now, not later — tell your spouse, children or siblings that this is what you want.

03Within 6 hrs

When the time comes — call the nearest eye bank

Family members have to call the nearest eye bank as early as possible after the demise, giving a royal salute to the deceased. Remember, the entire process has to take place within 6 hours from the time of death. Meanwhile:

Close the eyelids gently
Raise the head slightly with a pillow
Switch off fans; keep the AC running if available
Place wet cotton or a clean wet cloth over the closed eyes, if possible
Call your nearest eye bank as early as possible and become a Karmayogi

Emergency helpline (NOTTO, toll-free)

or the contact number of your nearest eye bank

A trained eye bank team comes to your home or hospital. The procedure takes 20–30 minutes and does not delay the funeral.

FAQ

Questions people ask us

Who can donate?

Anyone. Age, eyesight and spectacles don't matter. People with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or those who have had cataract surgery can usually donate too.

Does it disfigure the face?

No. Only the cornea — the small, clear front layer of the eye — is removed. The face is not affected and the eyes look natural afterwards.

How long does it take?

20–30 minutes, at home or in the hospital. The eye bank team comes to you. It does not delay funeral arrangements.

Is there a cost?

No. Eye donation is completely free. Nobody should ever ask the family for money.

Can I donate my own eyes while I'm alive?

No. Eyes can only be donated after death. What you can do today is pledge, and tell your family.

How many people can one donor help?

Two. Each cornea can restore sight to one person, so one donor can give sight to two people.

Is Chirag Indians an eye bank?

No. We are an awareness initiative. Through various ways we promote the eye donation campaign, requesting people to call the nearest eye bank after the death of their beloved one. Our drive also includes pledges for eye donation. We have succeeded so far and finally hit the bull's eye: a few families of the deceased have actually donated the eyes of their beloved one.

How campaign works