Govt of Himachal & redBus Partner with VisionSpring to Deliver Eye Care in Himalayan Villages

In a landmark initiative to make vision care accessible to remote Himalayan communities, the Government of Himachal Pradesh, in collaboration with redBus, the world’s largest online bus ticketing platform, and VisionSpring Foundation, has launched the Clear Vision Trek – Himalayas (Rupin Pass 2025). The program aims to reach over 5,000 people through eye screenings, eyeglasses distribution, eye care referrals, and awareness campaigns across some of the most underserved areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Extending Vision Care Across the Himalayas

This partnership seeks to tackle one of India’s most overlooked public health issues the lack of access to basic eye care. According to VisionSpring Foundation, over 55 crore people in India need eyeglasses but do not have them, including 30 lakh individuals in Himachal Pradesh.

Eyeglasses, a simple and cost-effective solution, can increase earning potential by up to 33.4%, improve productivity by 32%, enhance learning outcomes for schoolchildren, and make roads safer for drivers and transport workers. Through this initiative, the Government of Himachal Pradesh and redBus are taking a proactive step toward a clearer, healthier, and more productive future for the state’s residents.

Trekking Through the Himalayas for a Noble Cause

From October 9 to 18, 2025, teams comprising members of the VisionSpring Foundation, government officials, healthcare professionals, and school children from across the world will embark on a trek across the Himalayas. Their journey will cover key locations such as Shimla, Rohru, Jiskun, Jakha, Rupin Pass, Reckong Peo, Sangla, and Chitkul India’s first village near the Indo-Tibet border.

The initiative includes eye screenings and distribution of eyeglasses to people in remote areas and drivers navigating some of the world’s most challenging roads in Kinnaur and Shimla districts. The intervention has already begun and will continue beyond the trek’s completion to ensure sustained impact.

VisionSpring’s Mission: Clear Vision for All

The project aligns with VisionSpring Foundation’s core programs:

• See to Earn: Empowering working-age adults with eyeglasses to improve productivity and income.
• See to Learn: Helping students perform better academically through clear vision.
• See to be Safe: Supporting commercial drivers and transport workers to ensure road safety on mountain terrains.

Each of these initiatives contributes to VisionSpring’s long-standing mission to make clear vision accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all.

Building on a Legacy of Clear Vision

The Clear Vision Trek – Himalayas 2025 marks a symbolic return to VisionSpring’s origins. Nearly two and a half decades ago, Dr. Jordan Kassalow, the founder of VisionSpring, began his journey with a trek in the Himalayas where he first envisioned helping underserved communities gain access to eyeglasses.

Dr. Jordan Kassalow, Founder of VisionSpring, shared: “For more than two decades, VisionSpring’s mission has been driven by a simple belief: everyone has the right to see clearly, no matter where they live. The Clear Vision Trek will bring life-changing eyeglasses across some of the most challenging terrain on earth to reach people who need it the most. Every step we take through the Himalayas will not only test our strength but remind us of the greater purpose we share. We’re grateful to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, and other partners for helping us turn the spectacular Rupin Pass into a pathway of hope and clear vision for thousands of people.”

Launch of the Clear Vision Trek – Rupin Pass 2025

The Clear Vision Trek was officially launched in Shimla by Shri Sanjay Guppta, Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh, as part of the World Sight Day 2025 celebrations on October 9. World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, is a global event to raise awareness about blindness and visual impairment.

The event saw participation from ministers, senior officials, corporate leaders, NGOs, medical professionals, and global health partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), and Indiahikes.

Mr. Anshu Taneja, Managing Director, VisionSpring Foundation, said: “People in the remote communities in the Himalayas have limited access to eye care, with the majority of people never having had their vision screened before. As we trek across the majestic Rupin Pass, we’re excited to take the gift of clear vision to thousands of people, most of whom will receive eyeglasses for the very first time. Eyeglasses are a simple but life-changing intervention, and we’re proud that through this initiative will provide the wonder of clear vision to those who need it the most.”

Shri Sanjay Guppta, Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh, said: “We commend the efforts of such reputed organisations in partnership with the Government of Himachal Pradesh to conduct eye-screenings and provide eyeglasses to those who need them in some of the most hard-to-reach communities in Himachal Pradesh. Clear vision is essential to help enhance productivity, efficiency, and learning outcomes. It is also vital to maintain quality of life and ensure road safety, particularly in a hilly state like ours. This initiative will not only make a real difference to thousands of people but also create mass awareness in the state about the need for eye-screening, eyeglasses, and eye health. Our government is glad to partner on this important noble initiative, and we wish the trekkers and the eye-screening teams a safe and productive adventure.”

redBus Extends Its Commitment to Social Good

As part of its ongoing social impact efforts, redBus has extended its support to the VisionSpring initiative.

Prakash Sangam, CEO, redBus, said: “At redBus we have always been committed to innovation and inclusion in ground transport, and these core principles are extended in this initiative. We are very pleased to support Vision Springs in this worthy cause, as they focus on helping underserved communities. We hope that this trek helps in creating a future where people from the Himachali communities receive the tools and support they need to thrive.”

Bringing Hope and Clarity to the Himalayas

As the trekkers cross the scenic yet rugged Rupin Pass, they carry with them not just eyeglasses but a vision of empowerment helping people in remote villages regain sight, productivity, and confidence.

The Clear Vision Trek – Himalayas 2025 stands as a powerful example of collaboration between government, corporates, and nonprofits, proving that even in the highest mountains, clarity and compassion can reach every corner.