Thiruvananthapuram, Monday 23 August 2010: Actor Kamal Haasan launched an eye-donation campaign initiated by the Education Department in co-operation with other departments of the government here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, the actor urged the people of Kerala to come forward to donate eyes and be part of the movement. “If one man donates his eyes, two people can see,” he said.

Kamal Haasan said that he had converted his fans associations into social service organisations. Besides blood donation, they also spearheaded donation of eyes. It was an inter-State programme without parochial borders, he said.

Education Minister M. A. Baby said in his introductory remarks that arrangements would be made at the district and State levels for follow up on the campaign being launched under the banner of ‘Darshanam’.

The campaign was being launched on the Thiruvonam Day when Kerala remembered the largest gift in mythology (of Vamana to Mahabali).
Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy said that it was heartening to note that the eye-donation, which was so far been confined to individual initiatives and interventions, was not turning into an organised movement.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran, Health Minister P. K. Sreemathy, Minister for Public Works and Sports M. Vijayakumar, freedom fighter K. E. Mammen and Swami Guruprasad were among those who addressed the gathering.