Context:

• India was declared free from infective Trachoma, a contagious bacterial infection of the eye.
• The infection causes inflamed granulation on the inner surface of the lids.
• It was announced by Union Health Minister J P Nadda after releasing National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17) in New Delhi. 
• With this, India met goal of trachoma elimination as specified by World Health Organisation (WHO) under its GET2020 (Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020) program.

About Trachoma

• Trachoma is a chronic infective disease of eye and is leading cause of infective blindness globally. It is outcome of poor environmental and personal hygiene and inadequate access to water and sanitation.
• It affects conjunctiva under the eyelids.
• Repeated Trachoma infection causes scarring leading to in-turning of the eyelashes and eyelids which further causes damage to cornea and blindness.
• It is main cause of corneal blindness in India, affecting young children.
• It was found affecting the population North Indian states like Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh.

Source:Indian Express