Neerja Malik participates in Mumbai Pinkathon in December 2015

My dear Pinkathonians ...
I will return to Chennai with memories galore to last me a life time...
The welcoming warmth...
The ready smiles and laughter...
The overflowing love and affection...
The awesome power packed moments...
The electrifying energy radiating from the spoken and sung words...
The brilliant zumba movements danced with total abandon...
The beautifully organised event...
Hats off to the amazing PINKATHON...
Health and Awareness, Hand in Hand...
Totally ROCKING...
Totally INSPIRING...
Totally I'M LOVING IT...
Thank you Pinkathon for having my book "I Inspire" at the Venue...
Thank you dears for your wonderful response to it...

Prochy Mistry says, What a beautiful pic. 10,500 women standing together, with a common aim - to promote health and fitness for themselves and their families. :)

Prochy Mistry about 'I Inspire' book: Dear Neerja Malik, I picked up a copy of your autographed book, at the Pinkathon. Both you and the book are truly inspiring. All the best to you and may you continue to inspire people with your positive attitude. :)

I INSPIRE  -  NEERJA MALIK  Review, Summary, Story by Mahesh Sowani.

Truly Inspiring 

I Inspire  is the story of Neerja Malik, double cancer survivour. The story is unique for though it is a true story about a living person, it is written in third person. This makes the voice of the narrative fresh and innovative. Secondly each chapter oscillates between Neerja’s adulthood, particularly the phase when she is diagnosed with cancer and her growing up years. Her grandmother has a unique role to play in her growing up years. She mentions her that there are ten treasures for a meaningful live, without telling what are those. Neerja discovers these treasures during her happy and difficult times.

Neerja’s story is moving. But it is not a sob story. It is a celebration of life. It underlines the spiritual bent of mind of Neerja. The book is full of pilgrimages made by Neerja which are more of spiritual adventures. The incidents from her life make you believe that miracles happen even today. After many miscarriages Neerja finally gives birth to a set of twins. While everything seems to be happy, she is diagnosed with cancer. Her attempts to conceal her disease from her young children and their anger, especially that of her son, when they realize that their mother had kept them in the dark, will make you cry.

Neerja’s love for life is palpable from every word in the book. Neerja has enjoyed every phase of her life, whether it was as a child with great love for food or that of a woman diagnosed with cancer for the second time. Her experience as a mother of raising two kids has been articulated very well. The way she continues to enjoy watching movies and partying even on the day when she is diagnosed with cancer for the second time, shows her great courage.

Her work as a counsellor in the hospitals deserves a special mention. Indeed she has spread fragrance in many wilted lives by telling them that if she could conquer the disease, not once but twice, even they could. Her immense faith in God helps her in overcoming all that comes her way.

The treasures given by her grandmother play very subtle role in the story. Its subtlety works very well, for it doesn’t mar the narrative. It doesn’t make the book preachy with hollow lessons in spirituality. The way she narrates her encounter with the God of death Yama on page 87 is simply hilarious.

On page 79 in the following line I felt that the word he was wrongly written as she. “Her son was trying to comfort her so that the shivering would subside, but wasn’t able to. Her operation was fixed for seven the next morning, so she requested Neerja to somehow meet her before that, so that she could instill some courage into her.”

I inspire is a true tale told honestly, without any glorification. It is full of happiness and love for life which is contagious. Isn’t that a good reason to buy the book?

Hear Neerja Malik's answer when kids ask mom what religion are they ?

                       



Published on Nov 15, 2015
Neerja Malik, Cancer Conqueror,  Counsellor  and  Inspirational  Speaker gives her views on the Oneness of Humanity.

Neerja Malik, Cancer Conqueror to Run for Health at LYLF Night Marathon, Chennai 2015

How to Conquer Cancer by Neerja Malik a Cancer Conqueror, Counsellor & Inspirational Speaker.

                         

Dr. Renuka David with Neerja Malik on Breast Cancer - Radiant Wellness

                        

Published on Sep 18, 2015

Wellness talk - Dr. Renuka David with Neerja Malik on Breast Cancer - Radiant Wellness. Neerja Malik, a cancer conqueror, talks about how she dealt with a double-instance of breast cancer, prior to the Radiant Wellness Conclave 2015 organized by Radiant Group.

Cancer survivor recalls bright side of long battle

Priya Menon| TNN | Sep 7, 2015
CHENNAI: Neerja Malik still remembers the day she was diagnosed with cancer in her left breast. It was Friday the 13th but unlike others, she doesn't consider it an unlucky day. It was a wonderful day for me, for it was the day I was diagnosed and could do something about it, says the 61-year-old cancer conqueror.

It is this ability to look at the bright side, and convert any adversity into an opportunity that saw Neerja through miscarriages, a stillbirth, and her long-drawn-out battle with cancer. And it is this desire to reach out to others that led her to narrate her story in 'I Inspire'. The book, which will be launched mid-October, exudes Neerja's positive approach to life. "You should never say 'why me' because then you become full of self-pity. You are digging your own grave deeper," she says.

It was in February 1998 that Neerja felt a twinge in her left breast while doing aerobics. "I felt a pea-sized lump but ignored it," she says. When she felt the twinge again, she decided to go to a hospital. "In three generations of my family there have been 80 cases of cancer so I wanted to rule it out," says Neerja. When tests confirmed her fears, initially she broke down. "Doctors in Mumbai told me I have a 25% chance of survival if I went to US or France," says Neerja, who decided against it as her twins were only seven years old. "For three days, I wept. But, on the third day, I told myself I will stop crying."

After her surgery on February 19 she was back in Chennai by July. She began counselling cancer patients at Apollo Hospitals, where she was first diagnosed. Neerja established a support group for cancer patients on March 8, 2004 at Apollo Hospitals. "I began with 20 women cancer conquerors. But within a week, there were only four of us; the others dropped out as the hospital reminded them of the suffering they had undergone," says Neerja, who runs the programme with just two volunteers. Even in November 2004, when she felt a familiar discomfort in her right breast, she was prepared to battle it out. "A few years ago, I thought I should record the incidents of my life, the miracles and the wave of love I got from all over the world," says Neerja.

Her mission is to bring a smile to the faces of the ailing. "I am on my phone 24X7, taking patients through diagnosis and chemotherapy," she says. What satisfaction does she get? "If I can get a smile out of a person who wants to curl up and die; if at the end of it he is ready to face the treatment, what more can I ask for?" says Neerja.

Interview With "A Survivor & A Conqueror – Neerja Malik" : Thanthi TV

                       

Published on Feb 3, 2015

World Cancer Day 2015 : Interview With "A Survivor & A Conqueror – Neerja Malik, Cancer Counsellor.