Fazal Pathan

Sakib Gore of Badlapur, Maharashtra, has dedicated his life to a cause -- restoring the vision of millions.

Sakib has so far facilitated eye check-ups for over 2.6 million people, distributed 1.7 million free spectacles, and enabled more than 63,000 free cataract surgeries — life-changing interventions for those most in need.

His mission was triggered after a visit to his grandmother, Zohra, who passed away the next day.

“She passed away that same day,” he says softly. “There was a smile on her listless face.”

Zohra had lived blind for 35 years; she lost her vision to an untreated cataract.

Sakib Gore watching the removal of bandage of a patient who was treated for cataract

“She was a woman of great dignity,” Sakib remembers. “Her blindness, and my helplessness in the face of it, lit a fire inside me.”

"I decided I wanted to help the visually impaired smile, while they are still alive.”

Sakib studied up to seventh class and began his working life as a truck cleaner and porter. These early years exposed him to the daily struggles of the visually impaired.

He saved money from his earnings and organized his first eye check-up camp in 1992. He faced a challenge — he priced the glasses at ₹10, and yet most attendees couldn’t afford them.

“It became clear that cost was the main barrier,” he recalls. Just days later, he held another camp, this time distributing spectacles for free. The response was overwhelming: 275 people received spectacles, and many could see clearly for the first time in years.

Sakib Gore with men and women in rural Maharashtra who received free spectacles after undergoing cataract surgery

The journey began with eye check-ups, but it has grown far beyond that,” Sakib says.

Now, his team identifies patients with cataracts, brings them to the hospital, and cares for them during and after surgery. The organization provides free transportation, meals, accommodation, and medicines.

“The moment the bandage is removed from a person's eyes after the cataract surgery, and he can see, tears well up in his eyes, and he embraces me. This is my greatest reward,” he says.

India faces a staggering vision health crisis. Over 2 million new cataract cases emerge every year, with 63% leading to blindness due to lack of treatment. Cataracts alone account for 80% of all visual impairment in the country.

Sakib Gore gifting a pair of spectacles to a woman in tribal area

Globally, 2.5 billion people suffer from some form of vision loss, and 1.1 billion lack access to basic corrective eyewear. In India, affordability remains the biggest hurdle.

“A cataract is simple to treat,” Sakib explains, “But when neglected, especially in rural areas, the consequences are heartbreaking.”

His team goes door-to-door, speaking with villagers and building trust. “It’s not easy — we’re often rejected — but our mission demands persistence,” he says.

Sakib’s commitment has earned him both national and international acclaim. In 2016, Maharashtra’s then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited one of his eye camps and praised his work.

More recently, he was invited as a special delegate to the World Health Organization and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness summit in Kathmandu, Nepal. There, his innovation stunned the global audience: spectacles costing just ₹33, branded Devabhau — meaning “God-brother.”

Sakib Gore with patients at a cataract camp organised by his organisation

Despite his growing fame, Sakib remains grounded. “I don’t want to be an MLA or run a big company,” he says. “I just want to help as many people as I can.”

His next project involves building a social center in Badlapur, which he aims to make a hub for spreading awareness about eye health. He also plans to integrate with government blindness prevention programs, so people across the country can call and receive free cataract surgery.

Affordability remains a top priority.

“Forty percent of Indians need glasses,” he says, “but for many, they’re just too expensive.” His Vision Friend Eyewear shops — five in Badlapur — offer glasses starting at just ₹9.

Sakib Gore at an eye camp in rural Maharashtra

Sakib’s low-cost glasses are already being exported to Australia, the U.S., Sri Lanka, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Nepal, and Bhutan. Every rupee earned is reinvested into the organization, funding free eye care for those who need it most.

In the fight against blindness, India is gaining global recognition. Sakib Gore’s work is a cornerstone of that success. His impact goes beyond restoring sight; he restores hope, dignity, and opportunity.

ALSO READ: Marziya Pathan breaks stereotypes to lead from the front

Three decades on, his mission continues with undiminished passion. Sakib Gore has proved that with compassion, courage, and relentless effort, one person can change the lives of millions.