Among the healthcare initiatives reportedly run by Jagriti Foundation, the charitable trust led by hotel sanitation worker Gaurav Paliwal, cataract surgeries stand out as one of the more resource-intensive services offered — procedures the foundation says it has arranged for patients unable to pay for treatment themselves.

Cataracts remain one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in India, disproportionately affecting older adults in low-income communities who often delay treatment for years due to cost, according to public health data on the condition generally. Jagriti Foundation's reported approach — connecting patients identified through its free eye examination camps with cooperating doctors willing to perform or support cataract procedures — mirrors a model used by several larger Indian eye-care charities, scaled down to a much smaller, founder-led operation.

From Screening to Surgery

The foundation's reported process begins with free eye examination camps, which serve as an initial screening step to identify patients who may need cataract surgery, before referring them into arrangements with cooperating medical professionals — a pipeline that depends heavily on the availability and goodwill of volunteer doctors rather than dedicated in-house ophthalmological staff.

Why Cataract Care Requires Specialised Partnerships

Unlike free medicine distribution or basic blood testing, cataract surgery requires specialised surgical expertise and facilities that a small, founder-led charity cannot provide on its own, making Paliwal's reported doctor partnerships a structural necessity rather than an optional add-on to the foundation's broader healthcare work.

A Claim That Rests on the Foundation's Own Records

The specific number of cataract surgeries arranged through Jagriti Foundation was not detailed separately from the broader 2,500-plus beneficiary figure in the material associated with this report; the foundation says it has preserved photographs, videos and certified letters documenting its camps and procedures.

The Cost Barrier Cataract Patients Typically Face

Cataract surgery, while a routine and highly effective procedure when performed by a qualified ophthalmologist, remains out of reach for many low-income patients in India due to surgical, facility and post-operative costs — expenses that can equal weeks or months of income for a family living near the poverty line. Charitable models like the one Paliwal's foundation reportedly follows aim to close exactly this kind of cost gap by pairing patient identification with volunteer surgical capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Jagriti Foundation arrange cataract surgeries for patients?

According to the account associated with the initiative, patients are typically identified through the foundation's free eye examination camps and then connected with cooperating doctors willing to perform surgery for those unable to pay.

Does Jagriti Foundation have its own medical facilities?

No — the foundation's healthcare work, including cataract surgeries, reportedly depends on partnerships with volunteer doctors and existing medical facilities rather than a dedicated in-house hospital or clinic.

New Delhi, September 5, 2026: Ambassador Dr. Thejo Kumari Amudala was honoured with the Rashtra Ratna Award 2026 and the Viksit Bharat Award 2026 at an award ceremony held in New Delhi, marking another milestone in her work associated with humanitarian and social development initiatives.

Dr. Amudala attended the ceremony as both a chief guest and an awardee. The event brought together personalities from different fields to recognise individuals for their achievements and contributions to society.

Recognition for Humanitarian and Social Development

At the ceremony, Dr. Amudala received the Rashtra Ratna Award 2026 under the category “Excellence in Humanitarian and Social Development.” She was also recognised with the title of “Unique Woman Achiever.”

She additionally received the Viksit Bharat Award 2026, adding another recognition to her profile. The honours highlighted her involvement in humanitarian causes, social development and community-focused initiatives.

Her participation in the event extended beyond receiving the awards. As a chief guest, Dr. Amudala also participated in presenting honours to other recipients, contributing to a ceremony dedicated to acknowledging achievements across different areas of public and social life.

Distinguished Personalities Attend New Delhi Ceremony

The ceremony was attended by several distinguished personalities. Among those associated with the presentation of the honours were Shri Ramesh Chandra Ratna, a senior BJP leader, and Shri Viswendra Paswan Ji, a former Minister of Science, Technology and Environment in the Government of Nepal and former member of Nepal’s Constituent Assembly.

Their presence formed part of an event focused on recognising individuals for their professional, humanitarian and social contributions in their respective fields.

Two Honours Mark a Significant Milestone

Receiving both the Rashtra Ratna Award and Viksit Bharat Award in the same year represents a significant milestone for Dr. Amudala.

Her recognition as a Unique Woman Achiever, together with the award for Excellence in Humanitarian and Social Development, also draws attention to the role of women engaged in humanitarian work, social welfare and community development.

For Dr. Amudala, the honours add to a journey that has included participation in initiatives related to peace, human rights and social development at national and international levels.

About Ambassador Dr. Thejo Kumari Amudala

Ambassador Dr. Thejo Kumari Amudala is known for her involvement in humanitarian, peace, human rights and social development initiatives. She is also the Mrs. Universe Title Winner 2022 and has been associated with various national and international platforms.

According to her professional profile, she serves as a Global Peace and World Human Rights Ambassador and is one of the Director Board Members of British Learning – UK. After British Learning – UK, she is a Life Time Board Member for Human Rights Commission of United Nations, further reflecting her stated association with human rights-related initiatives.

Dr. Amudala’s profile states that she has received more than 1,000 national and international awards, along with multiple honorary doctorate recognitions and world-record distinctions for her achievements and contributions.

The Rashtra Ratna Award 2026 and Viksit Bharat Award 2026 add to these recognitions, marking another chapter in her continuing involvement in humanitarian and social development initiatives.

Ambassador Amudala’s Few Achievements

Over the years, Ambassador Dr. Thejo Kumari Amudala has received numerous titles, awards and recognitions. According to information provided about her professional and humanitarian journey, some of her notable achievements and honours include:

• Mrs. Universe Title Winner – 2022
• Real Time Life Hero Award – United Nations, 2023
• Bharat Vibhushan Award – 2024, presented by then Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri Ram Niwas Goel
• Bharat Ratna Samman – 2025
• United Nations Woman of the Year – 2025
• CSR Social Impact Award, received in Goa
• Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award
• Gandhi Peace Award
• Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Award
• Mother Teresa Awards
• Multiple Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Awards
• Samman samaroh award received from Honourable Telengana Governor Sri Shiva Pratap Shukla 2026

The Rashtra Ratna Award 2026 and Viksit Bharat Award 2026 were presented in connection with Shri Ramesh Chandra Ratna, senior BJP leader, and Shri Viswendra Paswan Ji, former member of Nepal’s Constituent Assembly and former Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Nepal.

Together, these recognitions form part of Dr. Amudala’s stated record of achievements across humanitarian service, social development, peace and public engagement.

For decades, India’s population story was dominated by fears of overpopulation. Today, the country faces a different demographic reality: fertility has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. In The Last Cradle: India’s Fertility Crisis, Dr. Vaidehi Taman examines what this transformation could mean for India’s social, economic and demographic future.

The book’s central argument is that fertility cannot be understood simply through statistics. Behind every declining birth rate are choices shaped by marriage, employment, housing, education, childcare, healthcare, gender roles and people’s confidence in the future. Dr. Vaidehi therefore moves the discussion beyond the conventional debate over population growth and asks why many young Indians are postponing marriage or parenthood.

One of the book’s strengths is its refusal to advocate coercion. Dr. Vaidehi argues that falling fertility should not become an excuse to pressure women into motherhood or restrict reproductive autonomy. Instead, governments and institutions should remove the practical barriers confronting those who want children—through affordable housing, childcare, supportive workplaces, healthcare and stronger family infrastructure.

The author also connects fertility with the larger questions of ageing, human capital and national capacity. If the working-age population eventually shrinks while the elderly population grows, the pressures on healthcare, pensions and caregiving could intensify. Yet Dr. Vaidehi emphasizes that India still has time to prepare.

At times, the book’s central argument is reiterated more often than necessary, but its broad scope is also what gives it relevance. It treats demography not as an abstract population count but as a reflection of how a society views family, childhood, work and tomorrow.

Ultimately, The Last Cradle is less a warning about fewer births than an invitation to reconsider the conditions under which people build families. Its most important message is simple: India’s demographic future will depend not on compelling people to have children, but on creating a society in which choosing family life remains possible, dignified and hopeful.