MUSCAT: To commemorate World Cancer Day and to spread awareness among the masses about cancer, its early detection and prevention, ISWK and ISWK I students, parents as well as staff took part in the cancer awareness program on 9^th February.

The program was held at the Primary school ground of ISWK under the aegis of Oman Cancer Association and the Indian Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman. More than 2,500 people participated in the formation of the human ribbon.

Present on the occasion were the Mr.  Rakesh Adlakha, Deputy Chief of mission from the Indian Embassy; Dr Rajyashree Naraayanakutty, Specialist Surgeon; Mr. Alkesh Joshi, Hon. President of the SMC and its members along with other dignitaries and special invitees. 

Mr. Adlakha in his address to the gathering lauded the role of Oman Cancer Association in facilitating the early detection and prevention of cancer and stressed upon the need to generate awareness among the masses about this preventable disease.

Dr. Rajyashree Naraayankutty of the Oman Cancer Association lauded the efforts of the organizers, and as an expert surgeon gave her opinion that cancer should not be dreaded as treatment existed for this disease and it was largely curable.

Mr. Alkesh Joshi, Hon. President of the SMC in his speech thanked OCA, the Indian Embassy, Dr. Rajyashree Naraayankutty, teachers, parents and students for being present in large numbers to take part in the awareness drive and to express solidarity with the cancer patients.

The program commenced with a walk around the Primary ground to the accompaniment of the school Band. Ribbons of blue, burgundy, gold, black, yellow, green, violet, emerald, purple, teal, light blue, pink, grey, white and orange colours came alive as a multi-coloured wave when the entire gathering formed a ‘Human Chain’. There were fifteen ribbons formed as a first step where each colour represented a type of cancer and carried the message of how to fight that form of cancer.

Also, colourful balloons dotted the middle of the ground. There was the formation by the participants of a single united ribbon of ISWK to mark the day praying for the recovery of cancer patients worldwide, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the of the people who were unable to fight the disease.

The gathering witnessed promising cheer and hope to the victims of one of the most dreaded diseases afflicting humankind. This unique program organized by ISWK conveyed to the gathering that while cancer is a horrible disease, we can all take steps towards its early detection and contribute towards eradicating it – At the end of the event the entire gathering in one voice announced, “I am and I will”.