Sembanur Eye Camp

Over the weekend I got an opportunity to attend a medical/eye camp. Sembanur (செம்பனூர்) is a small village located about 4 kms from Kallal (Sivaganga District). The camp was hosted on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 9 am to 2:00 pm. First off, living in cities, we take a lot of things for granted — visiting a nearby doctor, getting our bodies checked up, getting eye tests done every now and then, and if there is a problem, going to Lenskart and getting glasses. It was very nice that this camp was hosted in Sembanur instead of a bigger city. When I visited, I was told that medical camps do happen in Kallal. When you host one in a place like Kallal (a comparatively bigger town), it is easier to market and the turnout is better.

The hosts of this medical camp (Nachiappan & Sorna) were from Washington, D.C., and have their daughter’s wedding planned next week at their village (Sembanur). They used this occasion as an opportunity to host this medical camp at their village. However, the hosts not only sponsored this camp, but they also have feet on the street with strong roots. They have been investing time working with the right people to market the medical camp well so they get good turnouts. This showed on the day of the medical camp. At least over 200 people benefited from this camp. The place was buzzing and there was a lot of activity. Lunch was also provided for the villagers.

This was their marketing poster: Sembanur Eye camp

The medical team was from Meenakshi Mission Hospital, and the eye test and check-up team was from Aravind Eye Hospital (both from Madurai). The medical camp did the routine tests — blood pressure, sugar, ECG — and if further treatment was needed, patients were redirected to Meenakshi Mission Hospital, where they could be treated for a reduced fee (half price). With Aravind Eye Hospital, however, the impact is much bigger. As you can imagine, people attending these medical camps do not have a lot of money and are in the bottom strata of society. These camps serve as a blessing, which I was able to witness firsthand while interacting with the local villagers who attended the eye camp.

Free Cataract Surgeries:
When one has cataract surgery, you need people to take care of you at home after the procedure. You also need someone to take you to the hospital and bring you back. One great thing about this eye camp was that all of this is done for free. When you need to take villagers for surgery, there is also inhibition from them (they are scared). However, when you go with a group of people (who are also your friends), it just makes it easier. During this eye camp, tests are done, vision is checked, and the medical team decides whether cataract surgery is needed. If it is needed, the villagers (at least 25 people needed these surgeries) are taken by bus to Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, the cataract surgery is done the next day, you stay for a night, and you are dropped back at the same location the following day (a 3-day program). The villagers go together, get their eyes treated, and return together. Food and stay for the patients are also provided for free. All of this is taken care of, free of cost, by Aravind Eye Hospital. The couple of doctors I spoke to were doing their fellowships (one was from Karnataka and the other from Manipur).

Interaction with Villagers:
The villagers were not just from Sembanur and nearby villages — they also came from far away. Some had to travel over 2 hours to reach the eye camp. When you talk to these villagers, you also come to understand their day-to-day problems — elderly people without support or immediate family to take care of them. They also find these medical camps very valuable.

One of the villagers, aged 73, said he is from a place called Kumachipetti, about 3-4 kms from Sembanur. He is one of those electing to have cataract surgery (the 3-day program). Another person I talked to, aged 75, mentioned that she had no one to take care of her (கஞ்சி ஊத்த கூட ஆள் இல்லை). She does not have a home and just lives on the streets near the bus stand. Another villager is from a place called Sevvakottai, about 10 kms from Sembanur. Usually these surgeries cost anywhere from Rs. 30,000 to 50,000, and they are able to get this done for free. This person’s wife also needs cataract surgery; however, since there are just the two of them, he is getting the surgery this time and his wife will opt for it next time around. Another villager, who lives near Embal (Melaikarai), does not even have a bus to get to her village. She had to walk, and she came for the camp along with her sister. I also spoke with folks who traveled over two and a half hours to attend this camp (word of mouth).

I had a great time visiting this medical camp. What a great way to celebrate your daughter’s wedding — by organizing a medical camp for the needy. Prior to traveling, I was not sure what to expect. Medical camps like this benefit the local community and villagers a lot.

Thanks, Nachiappan, Sorna & family, for hosting this medical camp. What a great way to celebrate your daughter’s wedding. It is inspiring, and congratulations to the newlyweds.

Thanks, Arun Arunanachalam (Austin, TX), for letting me know about this camp and for this opportunity to travel.

Thank you for reading.

Karthik Chidambaram.