Sur is a small village 31 kilometers south of Jodhpur. This is where we had a free eye camp under the banner of Rotary Midtown on 24 November 2023. We examined and treated 108 patients on site and brought back to the base hospital 5 patients for free cataract surgery. All patients received a lens implant, also free of charge.

The head priest of the temple [last pic], where the camp was held had a very interesting story to recount. In the olden days a battalion of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s army fought a pitched battle with the brave villagers of Sur who were harboring the royal scion of the then Jodhpur Maharaja. The head priest and the villagers fought the army valiantly and saved the young heir.

Aurangzeb was so impressed with their valor that he presented his sword to the head priest as also a large parcel of land and a commemorative copper plaque [tamra patra]. View the pictures below, enjoy history come alive and marvel at the bravery of ordinary village folk who would readily lay down their life for their king and their soil. I couldn’t resist holding the historical sword and the Rhino hide shield and pose for a picture.