20+ Years of Journey
in a Glance
Jan 2002
THE SPARK
Pawan Sinha, MIT professor, meets two blind children in Delhi.
Inspired to merge scientific curiosity with social service,
seed of Project Prakash is planted.
June - July 2002
GROUND REALITIES
Visits rural India to assess the state of untreated childhood blindness.
Realizes the urgent need for pediatric outreach
and the potential for scientific discovery.
June - July 2003
PARTNER SEARCH
Tours eye hospitals across India seeking medical collaboration.
Final day: connects with Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital (SCEH), New Delhi—ideal partner found.
Aug - Oct 2003
VISION TO ACTION
Submits proposal to the National Eye Institute (NEI), NIH.
Begins obtaining IRB clearances in India and the US.
Project Prakash takes shape with 3 pillars:
rural outreach, medical treatment, and research.
2004 - 2006
FIELDWORK & BREAK-THROUGHS
Launches pediatric screening camps in rural North India.
Identifies treatable blind children and begins visual development research.
Featured in Nature magazine, signaling scientific relevance.
Submits a significant grant proposal to NEI—funding secured for 5 years.
2007 Onwards
SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS & HUMAN IMPACT
Ongoing studies on how children learn to see post-treatment.
Answers to Molyneux’s Query—a centuries-old question in neuroscience.
Work published in major journals and highlighted in popular science media.
Trains a new generation of scientists.
