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Majai is a town located in Meghalaya’s East Khasiya
hills. A metal fencing separating India and
Bangladesh is the only object of note in this
otherwise mofussil town. Kesto Das works as a
daily labourer and is living at Majai’s Chakla Basti
since his birth 59 years ago. He got married at 30,
but his wife died during pregnancy. He then
married again and now has a child, who studies in
high school. A life of hardship, however, seems to
have taken its toll on Kesto’s health, and his
eyesight, especially, worsened. In a town marred by
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superstition, myths and mistrust of medical
professionals, this could have had serious
implications for Kesto. But in September 2014, the
MFV-supported Bansara Eye Care Centre (BECC)
conducted an outreach programme, where cataract
was diagnosed in both his eyes. Two surgical
procedures were carried out in a month, and Kesto
regained his eyesight. Today, the overjoyed Kesto
Das motivates his townsfolk to shed their
inhibitions about cataract surgeries and its
affordability.
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