Raising Awareness: World Diabetes Day Educational Session
“Together we are stronger. The power of community touches most of our lives. Small steps when multiplied by a lot of people can change the world”. – Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation
Every November 14, World Diabetes Day is commemorated. This is an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes on the health of people and to highlight the opportunities to strengthen the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes. India has a significant diabetes burden, with approximately 101 million people affected by various forms including Type1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Remarkably, India has the highest number of children with Type 1 diabetes globally. This invisible disease works in weird ways and no two
days are the same for those who have it.
In order to educate, engage and empower people about diabetes and its care, the Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, one of the largest patient-led organizations registered as an NGO, proposed conducting an awareness session among students and staff at Vikhe Patil Memorial School Pune. The school Principal, Ms. Mrinalini, took the initiative to conduct this event in the school. The event was held on Monday, 11 November 2024, from 10 am to 10.40 am in the school seminar hall. Students of grades IX and XI attended the session.
The event began with a warm introduction by Deepshree Patil of Class IXA. Ms. Nupur Lalvani, the Founder Director of Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation provided much needed insight into the topic. She pointed out that in the modern world, a lot of us have sedentary lifestyles and the combination of unhealthy foods and the lack of exercise is brewing a storm of lifestyle diseases. She also stressed that exercise is an important key for weight management, diabetes care and it is a potent anti-depressant.
Volunteers from different parts of Pune were also present for this event. Both Ms. Deepti Marathe along with her 16-year-old daughter Durga, who has Type 1 diabetes, shared their experience to make students aware about the symptoms and care required. Ms. Megha Shelke, mother of an 18-year-old with Type 1 diabetes and Ms. Savita Chavan, mother of a 13- year-old with Type 1 diabetes also shared informative and interesting experiences about their journey. They also focused on the need for empathy from the community towards people with diabetes.
Ms. Jyothi Menon, the Coordinator of the Secondary Section, felicitated the guests with a token of appreciation for their valuable insights and time. The team was congratulated for their noble act by the School Principal, Ms. Mrinalini. The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Revati Hartalkar of Class IXA. The event left students with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people with diabetes and a clearer idea of supporting them.
The session ended with the thought, “Education and knowledge have the power of transforming and uplifting lives”.
Susan Sam
School Health Nurse
