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.
2007-2010
VISIBILITY & VALIDATION
Featured in a TED talk.
Receives R01 grant from NIH’s National Eye Institute.
Highlighted in Presidential Lecture at Society for Neuroscience.
2011 - 2012
DISCOVERY & ARTISTIC OUTREACH
Publishes findings addressing Molyneux’s Query
Dr. Pawan receives Presidential Early Career Award
Launches UnrulyArt for newly sighted children
2012 - 2015
AWARDS & GLOBAL RECOGNITION
Wins Pisart Award from Lighthouse International Guild
Dr Pawan honored with Asia Game-Changer Award
Receives Oberdorfer Award from ARVO Foundation
Featured in Science magazine cover story
Project presented to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
2015 - 2020
RENEWAL & NEW INITIATIVES
NIH R01 grant renewed
Launches residential program for newly sighted girls
Delivers lecture at NEI’s 50th anniversary
Featured in Netflix docuseries "Babies"
Begins vocational training program for restored vision youth
2023 - 2025
EXPANSION & COLLABORATION
New Prakash center inaugurated in New Delhi by U.S. health leaders
Receives 3-year grant from Rural India Support Trust/Hans Foundation
Builds hospital partnerships in India, Nepal, South Africa, and Malawi
