Former Indian cricket team captain and batsman Krishnamachari Srikkanth has been named the Goodwill Ambassador of VISION 2020 India, an initiative dedicated to eliminating avoidable blindness across the country.

The announcement was made at a function hosted by Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai, a key member of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight-India.

Blindness continues to be a major public health issue in the country, with nearly 4.8 million blind individuals and 70 million people suffering from visual impairment, a press release said. Over 80% of these cases are avoidable, highlighting the urgent need for early diagnosis and accessible eye care.

Mr. Srikkanth expressed his commitment to the cause, saying, “Every child deserves the chance to read and learn. Every adult deserves the ability to work and provide for their family. Every elderly person deserves to see the world with clarity in their golden years.”

Phanindra Babu Nukella, CEO of VISION 2020 India, welcomed Mr. Srikkanth’s involvement, stating that his support will amplify the campaign’s efforts. The initiative will offer free eye check-ups, surgeries, and vision correction services to underserved communities, with Srikkanth actively participating in awareness campaigns to combat avoidable blindness.

T.S. Surendran, Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, and Rajesh Saini, President of Vision 2020, were present.