Empowering Rural Girls: Akhand Jyoti's Revolutionary 'Football to Eyeball' Initiative

In a quiet village of Saran district, about 50 kilometers from Patna, a remarkable initiative is transforming lives through healthcare and education. At the heart of this effort is Akhand Jyoti, a charitable eye hospital that not only provides world-class eye care but also empowers underprivileged girls by training them to become optometrists.

The hospital’s flagship program, “Football to Eyeball,” offers free residential education, food, and training to girls who have completed their 10th or 12th grade. What sets this initiative apart is its integration of sports — all participants are required to play football, which helps build confidence and teamwork. Since its inception in 2009, the program has supported 725 girls, many of whom now work in technical and leadership roles. Some have even gone on to participate in national-level football tournaments.

 The program was launched under the leadership of Mritunjay Tiwari, a former professional footballer from Kolkata. Inspired by a moment when he saw local girls playing with a paper ball, he envisioned a platform where rural girls could rise through education and sport. The first batch consisted of just four girls. Today, 286 girls are enrolled in the program.

Graduates are guaranteed employment at Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital and receive further support to pursue higher education, such as an MBA or PhD, depending on their interest. Selection is based on financial need, with priority given to those from the most economically challenged backgrounds. Families must also agree not to marry off their daughters before age 23.

Currently, 60 program graduates hold leadership roles within the hospital. One such story is that of Manisha Dwivedi from Siwan district. She joined the program in 2012, earned a degree in optometry, followed it with an MBA, and now serves as an Assistant General Manager.

Akhand Jyoti has grown into one of the most advanced eye care facilities in the region, with 12 departments, 48 eye surgeons, and 750 patient beds. The hospital performs approximately 1.25 lakh eye surgeries annually and aims to increase this number to 4 lakh in the coming years.

Remarkably, all of this progress has been made without government funding. The hospital relies entirely on donations, especially from NRIs. Even the land for the hospital was bought directly from local farmers. In the past year, a single donor from the U.S. contributed nearly Rs 5 crore to support its expansion.

Akhand Jyoti is set to launch a cornea bank on April 28, further enhancing its ability to restore sight and serve patients from across the region, especially those who otherwise avoid treatment due to financial constraints.