In January 2009 Mr Andrew Richards OBE, an eye surgeon working in India for a charity called Second Sight, visited the present Maharajah of Benares. On behalf of the author and the people of Stoke Row he presented to the Maharajah a copy of Angela Spencer-Harper’s book “Dipping into the Wells”. Mr Richards kindly took the photos shown below and gave these copies to the Maharajah’s Well Trust. We are very grateful for this thoughtful act.

His Highness The Maharajah of Benares
 

Entrance to the Palace at Ramnagar
 

Entrance to His Highness’ private quarters
 

His Highness’ private balcony
 

Mr Nair, the Maharajah’s secretary
 

Two views from the roof garden out to Benares and the Holy Ghats


 

Second Sight

Cataract surgery is probably the most cost-effective surgery known to medicine and once cured, cataract cannot return. India has more children, women and men blind from cataract than anywhere else in the world. Apart from the human cost, the WHO estimates that this costs the country $2 billion annually. Second Sight aims to eradicate cataract blindness in India, sending experienced ophthalmic surgeons where they are most needed. Further information on its work can be found at: http://www.secondsight.org.uk/