Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat and Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan join Can Protect Foundation members in prayers & pledge for a Cancer Free World 

RISHIKESH (TIP): Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), Founder of the Divine Shakti Foundation, was joined by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat for a special Ganga Aarti on the occasion of World Cancer Day and the inauguration, during the world-renowned ceremony, of the first Radiation Free Thermo Mammography Machine in Northern India.

Chief Minister Singh was pleased to hear about huge participation in the Cycle Awareness Rally that started in the morning at 6:45 am from Gandhi Maidan, Dehradun and arrived in Rishikesh at 12 pm to be blessed and welcomed by Swami Chidanand Saraswati who met and congratulated the cyclists during the Ganga Aarti for their commitment to raising awareness on these critical issues.

Swami Saraswati and CM met with many of the women who had received free medical screenings, and check-ups done at the Parmarth Hospital earlier in the day.  Hundreds of these women joined for the Ganga Aarti and pledged to work together for a cancer free world.

Speaking on the occasion, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said, “When we build a support system and strengthen the spirit that we are one family, addressing these issues and serving this cause in solidarity and oneness, then even if we are not able to fully end cancer we can dramatically increase survival rates. I think today we need to, as a society, celebrate and honor our cancer survivors as well as simultaneously encourage women, especially, to take their health issue on a priority, because when they are healthy, their families are healthy, thereby the nation and the world can be healthier and happier.”

The event provided a platform for women to stand in solidarity in the face of this crucial issues in women’s health for the security of India’s families and their future. According to statistics, breast cancer numbers are on the rise in India, and it is projected that by the year 2020, 76,000 Indian women will lose their lives to breast cancer.  The average age of these women is between 30 -50 years, but with early diagnosis higher survival rates can be achieved.

Dr. Sumita Prabhakar, President of the Can Protect Foundation, said, “Our organization is so blessed to have Pujya Swamiji’s and the Hon’ble CM’s support for this cause, as well as the support of generous donors like Dr PK Dattaji who have donated the machine for the service of humanity. It is with the association of the Divine Shakti Foundation- Parmarth Niketan that we have been able to raise greater awareness on the need for pre-screenings and check-ups to help prevent breast and cervical cancer. We strongly believe that prevention and pre-screenings are the best way to create a cancer free, healthier and happier world.”