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ABOUT VEERAYATAN, RAJGIR |
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The region of Rajgir in the
eastern state of Bihar, also known as Rajagriha, is one of
great historical relevance to India. It was the cradle of
the Gupta Civilization and the motherland of several centers
of learning. It was in this extraordinary location that
Veerayatan took its roots. Veerayatan’s site in Rajgir
covers an area of 40 acres, rich in historical heritage as
the intersection of underpinnings of the Jain, Buddhist and
Vedic religions. Bihar is among the least developed states
of India. In an effort to reinvigorate the social, economic
and spiritual climate of the state and inspire the region to
its former glory, Veerayatan established its first social
reformation center in Rajgir in the early 1970s. |
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Birds eye view of Veerayatan, Rajgir campus |
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Netra Jyoti Seva Mandiram (N.J.S.M.)
Established as the first Veerayatan campus in 1973, Veerayatan
Rajgir is home of the world-renowned eye hospital and
orthopedic center Netra Jyoti Seva Mandiram (N.J.S.M.). The
Hospital is located in a sprawling 52,000 square feet area and
has 150 beds for eye patients and 50 beds for polio patients.
It also has an extensive post-operative care facility. |
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Today the hospital has become one of the most modern and
well-equipped medical centers of its kind in the state of
Bihar. As of 2006, more than 200,000 eye surgeries have
been performed. All in-patients are provided with a
nutritious and balanced meal three times a day and are
kept in the premises for a few days following the surgery
for proper post-operative medical care and supervision. In
addition to in-patients, N.J.S.M. has also offered medical
facilities to more than 720,000 eye out-patients since
1973. Nearly 63,000 of these patients visited N.J.S.M. in
a single year (2002). The vast majority of these patients
come from very poor economic backgrounds. Thus, N.J.S.M.
provides the treatment, medicines and other necessary
medical care free of charge or at a highly subsidized
rate. |
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As of 2006, 2275 Polio corrective surgeries have been
performed free of charge and 6850 Polio afflicted patients
have been provided with free tricycles and calipers. The
N.J.S.M. team has successfully rehabilitated 858 polio
patients—both children and adults—allowing them to regain
mobility and use of their limbs. In addition to surgery and
rehabilitation, N.J.S.M. also sponsors polio camps to spread
awareness about polio and its prevention. A total of 120
camps have been held to date, with an average attendance of
864 participants |
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N.J.S.M. Hospital also features the Government-recognized
Diploma in Ophthalmic Training (DOT) Program. DOT students
are screened based on personal interviews and selected to
receive hands-on ophthalmic training. During the course of
their study, DOT students provide invaluable service to
the hospital’s team of doctors and surgeons. After the
successful completion of the Diploma, these students go on
to serve other underprivileged communities. As of 2006, 42
students have been trained under the DOT Program |
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Encouraged by the success of its current projects, Veerayatan,
Rajgir is now looking to construct a dental building which will
likewise service local impoverished communities. |
Polio Related Statistics
Total number of polio operations performed since 1991:
1750
Total number of polio operations performed in 2002: 435
Total number of polio patients rehabilitated since 1991:
858
Total number of calipers distributed from 1996 to 2002:
2139
Total number of polio camps held: 48
Average number of people who attend polio camps: 864
Total number of tricycles distributed: 83 |
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Dr. Sadhvi Chetnaji working with doctors and DOT
students to care for a young eye patient |
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Eye Related Statistics
Total number of eye operations performed since 1973:
115,525
Total number of eye operations performed in 2002: 8572
Total number of eye operations performed free of charge
since 1973: 80,745
Total number of subsidized operations since 1973: 12,570
Total number of interocular lens (IOL) surgeries since
1973: 34,780
Total number of non-IOL surgeries since 1973: 78,228
Total number of eye outpatients since 1973: 727,575
Total number of eye outpatients in 2002: 62,848 |
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Service on the
wheels
Veerayatan, Rajgir also supports a mobile
van that distributes school supplies, fruits, milk powder,
blankets and other necessities to local villages and
underprivileged schools. As of 2006, Veerayatan’s mobile van
has serviced over 1,350 villages in Bihar and has
distributed supplies to several hundreds of school children.
Brahmi
Kala Mandiram
Veerayatan, Rajgir also hosts the Shri
Brahmi Kala Mandiram, an art gallery featuring several
hand-designed murals honoring the themes of non-violence,
love and the oneness of humanity. In the twenty years since
its opening, this art gallery has enjoyed more than half a
million visitors.
For more information or to find out how you can
help Veerayatan’s efforts in Rajgir,
please contact us at:
Veerayatan – Rajgir
C/o Administrator, NJSM,
Rajgir. Dist. Nalanda
Bihar – 803 116 – India
Ph. No. 06112 - 255013
Fax No. 06112 – 255172
sampragyaji@hotmail.com |
Veerayatan Vidyapeeth
At. Jakhania, Post Talwana
Taluka Mandvi – Kutch
Gujarat – 370 460 – India
Ph. No. 02834 – 275483
Fax No. 02834 – 275268 |
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