Shimla, India: Government of Himachal Pradesh along with redBus and VisionSpring Foundation, are extending vision care services to underserved Himalayan communities, aiming to reach 5,000 people through eye screenings, eyeglasses dispensing, eye care referrals, and awareness campaigns in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Government of Himachal Pradesh and redBus is supporting this initiative, which is part of VisionSpring Foundation’s broader mission to address the 55-crore people across India who lack the eyeglasses they need to see clearly, including 30 lakh people in Himachal Pradesh with limited or no access to eye care. Eyeglasses are a proven, cost-effective solution, increasing earning potential by up to 33.4% and boosting productivity by up to 32%. Clear vision can also enhance learning outcomes for children in schools and make roads safer for drivers and transport workers.

From 9 October to 18 October 2025, VisionSpring Foundation team, government officials, eye health experts, and school children from across the world will trek across the Himalayas, visiting important and remote areas in Shimla and Kinnaur districts such as Shimla, Rohru, Jiskun, Jakha, Rupin Pass, Reckong Peo, and Sangla. The eye-screenings will also be conducted for communities in Chitkul, which is the first village of India, and for drivers on some of the most dangerous roads in the world across the two districts, especially near Reckong Peo. The objective is to take the gift of clear vision through eyeglasses and eye care to these remote and underserved and raise awareness about the importance of clear vision in the state. The intervention has already started and will continue after the completion of the trek.

Through this initiative, VisionSpring Foundation will provide eyeglasses as part of its: See to Earn program – Equipping working-age adults to increase productivity and income; See to Learn program – helping students improve academic performance; See to be Safe program – Helping commercial vehicle drivers and allied transport workers to drive safely on the mountainous roads.

Building on the Legacy of Clear Vision

The trek also marks a return to the roots of VisionSpring’s mission. Jordan Kassalow, the founder of the mission, first began his journey through a trek in the mountains almost two and a half decades ago. This is where he got the inspiration to help people see well by providing them access to eyeglasses. The trek reaffirms the commitment of the VisionSpring mission to ensure that every person has the simple but life-changing gift of clear vision.

Dr. Jordan Kassalow, Founder of VisionSpring’s Mission, said: “For more than two decades, VisionSpring’s mission has been driven by a simple belief: everyone has the right to see clearly, no matter where they live. The Clear Vision Trek will bring life-changing eyeglasses across some of the most challenging terrain on earth to reach people who need it the most. Every step we take through the Himalayas will not only test our strength but remind us of the greater purpose we share. We’re grateful to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, and other partners for helping us turn the spectacular Rupin Pass into a pathway of hope and clear vision for thousands of people.”

The Clear Vision Trek – Himalayas (Rupin Pass 2025) was launched at an event in Shimla by the Mr. Sanjay Guppta, Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh,. The event was a part of the World Sight Day 2025 celebration in the state. World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October (October 9 for 2025) and is a global event meant to draw attention to blindness and vision impairment. The event was attended by ministers, senior government officials, corporates, NGOs, eye care professionals, medical experts, healthcare fraternity, and important dignitaries. The Government of Himachal Pradesh, National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), redBus, VisionSpring Foundation, World Health Organization (WHO), and Indiahikes are some of the key partners in this initiative.

Mr. Anshu Taneja, Managing Director, VisionSpring Foundation, said: “People in the remote communities in the Himalayas have limited access to eye care, with the majority of people never having had their vision screened before. As we trek across the majestic Rupin Pass, we’re excited to take the gift of clear vision to thousands of people, most of whom will receive eyeglasses for the very first time. Eyeglasses are a simple but life-changing intervention, and we’re proud that through this initiative will provide the wonder of clear vision to those who need it the most.”

Honorable Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Sanjay Guppta, said: “We commend the efforts of such reputed organisations in partnership with the Government of Himachal Pradesh to conduct eye-screenings and provide eyeglasses to those who need them in some of the most hard-to-reach communities in Himachal Pradesh. Clear vision is essential to help enhance productivity, efficiency, and learning outcomes. It is also vital to maintain quality of life and ensure road safety, particularly in a hilly state like ours. This initiative will not only make a real difference to thousands of people but also create mass awareness in the state about the need for eye-screening, eyeglasses, and eye health. Our government is glad to partner on this important noble initiative, and we wish the trekkers and the eye-screening teams a safe and productive adventure.”

Prakash Sangam, CEO, redBus said, “At redBus we have always been committed to innovation and inclusion in ground transport, and these core principles are extended in this initiative. We are very pleased to support Vision Springs in this worthy cause, as they focus on helping underserved communities. We hope that this trek helps in creating a future where people from the Himachali communities receive the tools and support they need to thrive.”

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