The government of India has decided to confer the prestigious Padma Shri award on Nepal’s noted eye surgeon Dr Sanduk Ruit for his contribution in the field of ophthalmology.

The announcement was made on the eve of the 69th India’s Republic Day on Thursday.

Dr Ruit, who has earned international renown by exporting low-cost cataract surgery to over 30 countries and taking eye camps in poor parts of the world, was named the Padma Shri recipient in the medical field. Dr Ruit’s innovation in the 1980s led to a 90 per cent reduction in the cost of cataract eye surgery and restored the sight of at least 10,000 people across Asia and Africa.

In Nepal, Dr Ruit has established Tilganga Eye Hospital in Kathmandu, which is known for affordable eye care facilities.

In  2006, Dr Ruit was awarded with the Roman Magsaysay Award in recognition of his works.

Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian honour accorded by the Indian government.

Dr Ruit is the second Nepali to be honoured with the award. Last year, anti-human trafficking crusader Anuradha Koirala was given the award under social work category.