Motihari, April 27: Banarsidas Chandiwala Eye Hospital opened its doors today, ushering new hope for the people of Champaran.

This unit of Shri Banarsidas Chandiwala Sewa Smarak Trust Society, New Delhi, has ultra-modern equipment.

Urban development minister and in-charge of the district Prem Kumar inaugurated the hospital. Chief minister Nitish Kumar, who was supposed to do the honours, could not come because of other engagements and sent the minister as his representative to the hospital.

Kumar said: “This eye hospital is an important remedial centre for a large population residing in the villages of north Bihar.” He thanked the society for coming to the state with zeal to serve the suffering humanity in Champaran, which has also been the karmabhoomi of Mahatma Gandhi.

He said: “I believe a large number of patients suffering from ophthalmic complications, who were earlier forced to go out of Champaran every year to seek better treatment, will now receive proper care in this hospital.

The vice-chairperson of the state planning board and former ambassador to Syria, Hari Kishore Singh, said: “This eye hospital has fulfilled a major civic requirement of Champaran.”

Bhuwan Mohan, the secretary of the society, said: “I wanted to fulfil commitment I made during my previous visit to Champaran.”

He had come to attend the Champaran Sanskritik Mahotsav in 2000. He said: “Education, health and propagation according to Gandhian ideals have been the three main objectives of this society.”