A tree-and-a-half-hour journey through the arid expanse of the Thar Desert leads to the village of Jhareli, located 182 kilometers from Jodhpur in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. This picturesque village was the site of our free eye camp on February 4, 2025.

In a large hall within the community center, visiting surgeon Dr. Joseph Keenan from Ireland and I set up our clinic. Throughout the day, we diligently examined and treated 253 patients on-site. Among them, we identified 49 individuals in need of cataract surgery. The clinic was followed by a late lunch was hosted by the organizers. The traditional Rjasthani lunch was a spice-filled adventure, setting our taste buds ablaze. Each bite felt like a daring encounter with a spice dragon, leaving us with runny noses and watering eyes. By the end, we were seasoned spice warriors, appreciating the phrase “too hot to handle !”

The patients selected for surgery were promptly transported to our base hospital in Jodhpur, where they underwent successful surgeries the following day, free of charge. After their operations, the patients received dedicated post-operative care, and their vision was restored. The gratitude and joy on their faces were heartwarming, making the effort and journey truly worthwhile.