Prescription of Faith

A cancer survivor who now heads a cancer support group,talks about herself and the memories of her first independence day.Anjana Raghu Ram on a tale of the victory of human spirit  Neerja Malik took a monumental leap of faith twelve years ago.And it was precisely that faith that gave her the courage to vanquish the demons of disease and smile. Diagnosed with breast cancer on a Friday the 13th,Neerja Malik refuses to believe that cancer means the end of life."I do not tell my patients to fight cancer but to face cancer.Unassailable faith is the key,"she says,with an incredible joie de vivre.She heads the Cancer Support Group at the Apollo Hospital,where she extends counselling to help patients brave chemotherapy.Apart from the counselling unit that was established in 2004 on International Women's Day,Neerja also stepped into Sankalp after her aunt's death to breathe life into the dying NGO.Sankalp is dedicated to the cause of education for the girl child. Neerja Malik takes a trip down memory lane to tell you about her first Independence Day."I was probably the leader in Class 2 or 3.We were all given crayons and I was excited about using them to colour our flag and then glue the stick on to it."Malik's philosophical side emerges as she expounds on the subject."Independence Day is about freedom.And with freedom comes responsibility to the future.I have planted the seeds to ensure that these girls enable other girls in similar positions to study." Neerja was also awarded the Positive Health Hero Award by the Dr Batra Foundation.She was also invited by the US Department of States to participate in a 21-day tour of America to spread awareness on cancer."As an Indian,I have had the greatest scope to grow.I come from a multi-religious background and was raised with complete freedom.Even our Vedas are universal in thought.The idea is to accept others openly.The soul of India is its Unity in Diversity,"she says.