Sightsavers India, a development organisation working to eliminate avoidable blindness and empower people with disabilities since 1966, launched Looms & Lenses, a national initiative to improve access to eye care for India’s weaving and artisan communities. The initiative aims to reach 1 million weavers, allied workers and artisans by 2030 and provide 400,000 spectacles to people who need them. By bringing eye care closer to where artisans live and work, the programme seeks to protect their vision, strengthen livelihoods and preserve India’s traditional crafts. Kabir Bedi, Honorary Brand Ambassador of Sightsavers India, unveiled the initiative at an event held at the India International Centre in New Delhi.
Initiative Focuses on Eye Health and Sustainable Livelihoods
The launch comes ahead of World Sight Day, which highlights the importance of eye health and equitable access to quality eye care. For weavers and artisans, clear vision plays a crucial role in maintaining productivity, earning a livelihood and preserving traditional craftsmanship. Through Looms & Lenses, Sightsavers India aims to address vision-related challenges that can affect artisans’ income, independence and quality of life. The initiative also seeks to ensure that preventable vision problems do not force skilled workers to abandon their crafts.
Leaders Highlight the Importance of Protecting Artisans’ Vision
Kabir Bedi, Honorary Brand Ambassador of Sightsavers India, said, “Being made the Honorary Brand Ambassador of Sightsavers India is a deeply special honour because restoring sight is not just about treating a medical condition—it is about restoring lives, dignity and livelihoods. The Looms and Lenses initiative is particularly meaningful as it supports India’s weavers, whose craft depends on precision, vision and generations-old traditions. By helping them protect their eyesight, we are not only improving their lives but also helping preserve an invaluable part of India’s artistic heritage.”
N. Mohanty, CEO of Sightsavers India, said the programme would begin in Odisha before expanding to other states. Building on the organisation’s partnership with the Odisha government’s Department of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, the initiative will bring eye screenings, spectacles and referral services closer to weaving communities.
Ms. Swayamprava Pani, Additional Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, highlighted the importance of supporting India’s handloom workforce. She noted that the sector supports 3.5 million weavers, 72% of whom are women, and emphasised that their welfare is essential to the sector’s growth and sustainability.
Poonam Guha, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha, highlighted the impact of the existing partnership with Sightsavers India. Eye-care camps in Cuttack and Bargarh have reached around 1,000 people. Following this positive response, the department is working towards a structured plan to extend eye-care support across the state’s weaving community. Sherry Singh, Mrs Universe 2025, also emphasised the importance of safeguarding artisans’ vision to preserve India’s cultural heritage. She highlighted the responsibility to protect both the people behind traditional crafts and the skills passed down through generations.
‘Beyond the Thread’ Report and Campaign Film Unveiled
The launch event also featured the unveiling of the programme’s new visual identity by Kabir Bedi, followed by a special film highlighting the connection between eye health, livelihoods and India’s weaving heritage. Additionally, Sightsavers India launched its report, Beyond the Thread, underscoring the importance of recognising the needs and challenges faced by weaving communities.
Protecting Vision to Preserve India’s Weaving Heritage
Through Looms & Lenses, Sightsavers India aims to make eye care more accessible to weavers and artisans while helping them maintain their livelihoods and independence. By combining vision screening, access to spectacles and referral services, the programme seeks to address preventable vision problems before they affect workers’ ability to continue their craft. As per the press release, the initiative reinforces a vital message: protecting a weaver’s sight also means protecting their livelihood and preserving India’s living cultural heritage.