IIT Bhubaneswar organizes Breast Cancer Awareness programme as part of Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan

Bhubaneswar24/10/21:: IIT Bhubaneswar organized a “Breast Cancer Awareness Programme” at Argul High School in five adopted villages ranging from Argul, Khudupur, Padanpur, Podapada and Kansapada as part of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) Programme. The event was organized by Wissenaire, IIT Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Umeedein, Carcinova Cancer Hospital, Paranas, as part of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), IIT Bhubaneswar. The event was inaugurated by Prof. P.V. Satyam, Dean of Student Affairs, IIT Bhubaneswar. The event was coordinated by Dr Seema Bahinipati, Chairperson, Wissenaire’22, and Coordinator, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, IIT Bhubaneswar.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. P.V. Satyam, Dean Student Affairs, IIT Bhubaneswar said, “Breast cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. As per WHO, it accounts for 2.09 million cases and 627000 deaths globally (*). This initiative will help to educate the public about the basics of cancer, its common symptoms, early detection and prevention, and the removal of the stigma attached to the disease in the fight against cancer. I am sure, that this action would be inspiring and motivating to the inhabitants of the villages and it would set a positive example to students of sister Institutions. We see this as a great means for all of us to give back to our society by contributing to a cancer-free society. Lastly, with this initiative, we intend to inculcate in our students the value of social service which has taken a back seat these days and reduce this best practice to become ritualistic. We at IIT Bhubaneswar are committed to building a healthy society and have achieved a fairly good success in this endeavor, and it will continue.”

As part of the drive, awareness lectures and basic sanitary kits were distributed. The drive saw active participation of people from all five villages. Present at the event were Dr. Kshitish Chandra Mishra, Senior Oncologist, and Founder, Carcinova Cancer Hospital, Cuttack, Dr. Pragna Mishra, Director, Carcinova Cancer Hospital, Cuttack, Mr. Nitai Panigrahi, Chief Head, Umeedein, Mr. Rahul Sharma, Chief Head, Pranyas along with UBA volunteers, student team members of Wissenaire and local volunteers. The participants were provided with goodies ranging from sanitary pads, masks, refreshments, pamphlets that contain information about cancer prevention and treatment, water bottles, and paper bags. This camp helped villagers in getting awareness about cancer and thereby inculcating the value of social service among students.