A Vision Stamped in Time
In August 1921, Dr. Bhaskar Kelkar received his passport to pursue a diploma in ophthalmology in London, UK. However, fate had other plans & he had to abandon his dream of studying abroad at that time due to an unfortunate accident which compromised the dexterity of his right hand. His son, Dr. Shreekant Kelkar and grandson, Dr. Aditya Kelkar carried the weight of that unfulfilled dream to shape NIO into what it stands for today. Despite Dr. Bhaskar’s inability to travel to the UK, the 100+ year old passport continued to be a priceless token within the Kelkar family. Its pages grew incredibly brittle over time and needed careful preservation and restoration. Today, a copy of the British-era passport has been framed and kept in the hospital as well as in the Kelkar family house as a reminder that one must dream big, and those dreams bear fruit someday.
From the Streets to a Storefront
Before NIO took shape, Dr. Bhaskar Kelkar had been serving his patients through personal, hands-on eye examinations conducted on MG Road. In an era when there was a scarcity of eye care, his practice provided medical attention to the people. This eventually led to the establishment of Kelkar Opticians, which became the first step towards the family’s legacy in eye care.
Learning from the Best
The following chapter saw Dr. Shreekant Kelkar graduate from Topiwala National Medical College & Nair Hospital in 1970. He also learned under the tutelage of renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Badar Maskati, former Head of the Ophthalmology Department at KEM Hospital, Mumbai. It is a phase that helped hone not only skills but also a greater understanding of methodologies followed at leading institutions.
Bringing Knowledge Back Home
After having benefited from the experience as well as mentorship, Dr. Shreekant Kelkar returned with a sense of purpose: to set up contemporary eye care facilities in Pune. Thus, he established Bhabha Hospital in 1984. His work strengthened public healthcare delivery and reinforced the family’s belief that eye care should be accessible to one and all.
The Birth of a Vision: NIO
This belief found its fullest endorsement in the year 1993, as the foundation of NIO at Ghole Road marked the beginning of providing comprehensive eye care services that were previously unavailable in the region. Diagnostics, treatment, surgery, and follow-up came together under the same roof, redefining what patients could expect from an eye hospital.
A Center of Care for Many Journeys
With the establishment of NIO, comprehensive eye care was consolidated under one roof. For a multitude of people, it became about care, outcomes, and trust. For the Kelkar family, it was the realisation of a vision that had waited decades to fully arrive.
Trusted Across Walks of Life
Over the years, NIO has gained the trust of patients belonging to every walk of life, including the country’s most respected personalities. Former President of India, Ms. Pratibha Patil, and famous actors like Nana Patekar and Nilu Phule among several others have visited us.
Our Founders
Our Centers
Approximately 150,000 outpatient visits and countless surgeries are performed annually at our centers, with around 350 outpatients and 35 surgeries daily. We are one of the first in the city that meets JCI and NABH standards of excellence, and currently have one of Pune’s largest teams of specialised eye surgeons.
Advanced diagnostics and personalised treatment plans for various visual impairments, all under one roof.
A premium and private eye care hospital in Pune, co-founded by Dr. Aditya Kelkar and Dr. Jai Kelkar for advanced diagnostics.
A NABH–JCI accredited vision care center in Pune offering advanced diagnostics for Retina, Oculoplasty, Cataract and more.
