Nizam Uddin Sk is the founder of OPTOBHARAT, a fast-growing optometry student community in India that he launched on March 17, 2025. When Pemije Gadimoh, KnowTheGlow’s Student Chapter Ambassador, introduced Nizam Uddin Sk to Helene Dameris, KnowTheGlow’s Director of Global Outreach, and Megan Webber, Co-Founder of KnowTheGlow, on a recent Zoom call, it quickly became clear that the connection was more than professional. Pemije has been friends with both Nizam since 2024 and it is evident that their connection is rooted in shared values, a belief in mentorship, and a deep commitment to improving eye care through the next generation.
OPTOBHARAT was born from firsthand experience. Nizam recognized that while optometry education in India is academically strong, many students graduate with limited clinical exposure, little career mentorship, and minimal access to research opportunities or global professional networks. They created OPTOBHARAT to bridge those gaps and to give students a sense of belonging within a larger professional community.
In just a few months, OPTOBHARAT has grown to more than 640 registered members and over 60 representatives nationwide. Its digital presence is equally impressive, with more than 1,800 followers across platforms such as LinkedIn. For a student-led initiative launched in early 2025, the pace of growth reflects both need and momentum.
The organization hosts webinars, expert-led talks, and student-driven educational sessions focused on mentorship and career guidance. Beyond the virtual space, OPTOBHARAT has already organized two eye camps through its team members, combining vision screenings with education and clear referral pathways to hospitals and optometry professionals. The focus is not only on service, but on ethical practice, skill development, and improved patient outcomes.
Nizam describes OPTOBHARAT as a community designed to include students from across India, particularly those from rural and underserved regions who are often left out of national and global conversations. That inclusive spirit, paired with ambition, shapes the organization’s vision to become a leading optometry student platform at both the national and international level.
Now at the end of his third year at The Assam Kaziranga University, Jorhat, Assam, India where his class includes just 34 students, Nizam speaks candidly about why he chose optometry. He always wanted to help people and once dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. Optometry appealed to him because it allows him to work with patients of all ages and make an immediate, tangible difference in their lives. Fluent in six languages, he also understands the importance of reaching communities across India’s diverse regions, especially in the northeast, where he serves as a regional representative.
For Helene and Megan, the conversation offered a glimpse into what is possible when young leaders are supported and encouraged. For Nizam, it affirmed that the work he and his representers is part of something larger, a growing movement that believes the future of eye care depends on empowered students who are connected, mentored, and inspired to lead.