Dr. Anuj Singhal and Dr. Rakesh Tyagi, bonded by their medical education at Agra Medical College and a shared commitment to service, embarked on a transformative healthcare journey in some of India’s most remote and underserved regions.
With a service mindset engrained since their college days, Dr. Rakesh spent four vital years in Arunachal Pradesh, followed by Dr. Anuj’s 15-year dedication to the Wynod tribal area of Kerala. Their shared vision culminated in the founding of the Swami Vivekanand Health Mission Society (SVHMS) in 2012.
Starting from the tribal regions near Vikas Nagar, Uttarakhand, this collective of doctors vowed to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to the poor, needy, and countless pilgrims embarking on arduous journeys to revered shrines like the Char Dham.
The challenges were immense from extreme terrains and high altitudes to lack of existing medical infrastructure. The tragic Kedarnath floods in 2013 starkly revealed the urgent need for medical services at pilgrimage heights.
Responding with compassion and resolve, SVHMS established multiple hospitals en route to the Char Dham, including facilities at Badkot, Uttarkashi, Narayankoti, and Pipalkoti. Later expansions brought specialized hospitals near the Badri, Kedar, and Gangotri shrines, offering critical care to millions, many from economically weaker backgrounds.
Their motto, “Service to mankind is service to God,” is embodied in every initiative, be it serving remote villages or pilgrims facing medical emergencies on spiritual journeys.
Netra Kumbh: Restoring Sight Maha Kumbh
Among the landmark initiatives of SVHMS is the flagship program, Netra Kumbh, which focuses on advancing eye care among millions of pilgrims gathering at the Kumbh Melas.
The inaugural Netra Kumbh took place in 2019 during the Prayagraj Kumbh Melas on a modest scale, serving around 1 lakh pilgrims with free distribution of reading glasses, bifocals, and single-vision spectacles. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic limiting operations in 2021’s Haridwar Kumbh, the mission persevered.
The monumental Netra Kumbh 2025 marked a new era for eye care at the Maha Kumbh, held amid a massive influx of crores of pilgrims. It featured a digitally integrated world-class facility covering 10 acres with 40 reception counters and 100 screening stations manned by experienced optometrists.
The camp included 40 modern doctor chambers equipped with state-of-the-art slit lamps and AI-powered fundus cameras for comprehensive eye examinations.
This unprecedented scale enabled screening of approximately 2,37,964 individuals over the period, with about 1,63,652 spectacles distributed including reading glasses and multi-power prescription lenses with speedy 3-5 minute dispensing.
More than 21,000 cataract patients were identified and operated on free of cost through partnership with 216 hospitals nationwide. Supported by 343 eye specialists, 489 optometrists, and over 1,000 volunteers, Netra Kumbh 2025 set records recognized by the India and Asia Book of Records and received appreciation from India’s Prime Minister and Chief Minister.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Success
While speaking to The Logical Indian, Dr. Anuj mentioned, “organizing such a large-scale and technologically complex camp came with notable challenges.” Managing 40 qualified doctors from different parts of the country, coordinating their travel, accommodation, and daily schedules amidst crowds exceeding 60 crore attendees required meticulous planning.
Training optometrists to maintain consistent screening standards, ensuring smooth internet connectivity for nearly 200 computers operating live data transfer, and managing up to 8,000 outpatient cases daily were all critical hurdles.
Instantaneous spectacle distribution demanded innovation and precision. Each challenge was met with teamwork, collaboration, and strong partnerships, transforming obstacles into milestones.
Netra Kumbh exemplifies SVHMS’s broader mission of enhancing healthcare accessibility, especially in challenging settings and spiritual pilgrimages. By prioritizing quality, inclusivity, and compassionate service, SVHMS bridges gaps between medical professionals and communities demanding urgent care.
Dr. Anuj Singhal: Army to Healthcare Leader
Dr. Anuj Singhal’s journey from serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army Medical Corps to leading SVHMS has imbued the organization with disciplined leadership, strategic problem-solving, and a service-oriented mindset.
Inspired by personal childhood experiences witnessing a lack of accessible healthcare, he committed to uplifting marginalized communities. His military lessons of discipline, dedication, anticipation of adversity, and leading by example translate into SVHMS’s dynamic growth and resilience. The ethos of “Service to mankind is service to God” guides every volunteer and team member.
Impact and the Road Ahead for SVHMS
Serving more than 29 lakh people across 525 villages in Uttarakhand and thousands of pilgrims yearly, SVHMS has saved countless lives, including a poignant story of a Bengaluru pilgrim who survived a massive heart attack at Kedarnath with timely treatment.
The organization’s 15 hospitals continue to provide free or highly affordable care, avoiding financial distress for impoverished patients, alongside outreach programs on health awareness and preventive care.
Future goals focus on stabilizing infrastructure and manpower, expanding outreach through additional camps, securing sustainable funding via individual and CSR donations, and introducing cancer care and research facilities. SVHMS’s success is a beacon of hope for bridging healthcare gaps in India’s most remote and sacred terrains.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian commends SVHMS and Dr. Anuj Singhal’s exceptional commitment to holistic, accessible healthcare in some of India’s most challenging environments. Initiatives like Netra Kumbh exemplify how innovation, compassion, and strategic partnerships can dramatically transform community health outcomes even in the most complex settings like mass pilgrimages.
SVHMS embodies the spirit of inclusive development by combining traditional service values with modern medical technology. Their focus on sustainability, volunteer-driven efforts, and impact measurement sets a powerful precedent for health NGOs nationwide.
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