Standard Chartered Private Bank has partnered with premier online auction house AstaGuru.com to launch an online art auction to raise funds for its global programme to tackle preventable and curable blindness.

Titled "Art for Sight," the event is meant to raise money for the "Seeing Is Believing" programme, which will be held on 10-11 October 2013. Over 150 pieces by renowned artists will be showcased. Art from newer, modern and contemporary artists will also be featured. The base price of the works is approximately a million dollars. All proceeds will go toward the programme, with the bank matching dollar for dollar.

"We believe that with wealth comes responsibility. There are 45 million blind people in the world; 80 per cent is avoidable. Through this initiative, we hope to continue to make a positive difference in the communities," said Sanjeeb Chaudhuri, regional head for South Asia, and chief marketing officer of consumer banking at Standard Chartered Bank.

"Seeing Is Believing" was launched in 2003 and has reached over 41 million people to-date. In India alone, the bank has investment $4.9 million, from which almost 5.5 million people had benefitted. Standard Chartered has committed additional spends of $6 million until 2020.