Guwahati, Oct. 2: People from different walks of life came together here today to talk about breast cancer - a disease that has killed and disfigured numerous women.
The event called Aishani, organised at B. Borooah Cancer Institute here, saw specialists speak on the issue as well as survivors recount their experience with the deadly disease.
The event was organised by a Facebook group, The Saree Saga, and independent creative consultant Sid Ghosh in association with an NGO, Sparsh.
Cancer survivor Papori Choudhury told The Telegraph: "Breast cancer is no longer a killer disease thanks to medical advancements. But it can still result in breast removal and disfigurement which can be traumatic for any patient. I can say that the number of breast cancer patients in the state has gone up but awareness has not yet spread. Women still associate it with some sort of stigma and hide it initially out of guilt and then come out only during the last stage. I want to say that it is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a part of our body and it must be treated with equal care as negligence may even result in death."
Lakhimi Bora, another survivor, also recounted her emotional yet inspiring story.
On holding the event, Vedaprana Purkayastha, admin of The Saree Saga, said, "We have been working on breast cancer awareness for more than a year now. So, we decided to organise this event where people of all ages can be made to understand the intricacies of disease and its effect in a simple way."
The group has about 15,000 members who are associated with such work.
Two specialists Dr Shrabani Mishra Bhagawati and Dr B.K. Das spoke about breast cancer and related issues.
The opening address was delivered by the director of the cancer institute, Amal Kakoti.
There were several performances to highlight feminine grace.
Dancer Mitali performed to Ganesh Vandana. It was followed by a chorus song by The Saree Saga members.
There were also performances by Odissi dancer Anjana Moyee Saikia and her dance troupe.
A short film, Stree Shakti, on the condition of women suffering breast cancer, and directed by Sid Ghosh, was also screened.
The final event was a charity fashion show in which the Facebook group members walked the ramp. Showstopper Papori got loud cheers from the audience.
Ghosh said their plan was to start a movement to raise awareness on breast cancer.
"We have started with Guwahati but we want to go to the other areas of the state as well. We want to hold such events in Bangalore and Delhi but that will be done gradually," he said.
