Mumbai, January 22 (IANS). Many stars who shine on the screen are not only known for glamor and style, but the real stories of their lives also give people courage and hope. Dimple Kapadia is one such actress. Dimple, who became an overnight superstar with the film ‘Bobby’ in the 1980s, not only competed with big heroines, but also fought the biggest battle of her life by battling leprosy in her childhood.
At the age of 12, he suffered from this disease, due to which society taunted him and tried to isolate him. But Dimple did not give up. She got the disease treated, recovered completely and then made a splash in films. Even today, she openly shares her story so that people understand that leprosy is not something to be ashamed of, but a disease that can be treated.
Every year on 23 January, special campaigns are run to spread awareness against leprosy. The purpose of this day is to tell people that leprosy is curable and people suffering from it should not be discriminated against or isolated.
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It was discovered by Norwegian scientist Gerhard Hansen in 1873, hence it is also called Hansen’s disease. It mainly affects the skin, nerves, hands and feet and sometimes the eyes. Early symptoms include pale or red spots on the skin, numbness, hair loss, and sores. If treatment is started on time, it is completely cured.
Apart from Dimple Kapadia, R Madhavan and Amitabh Bachchan have also taken steps for the leprosy prevention campaign. These actors believe that today’s biggest challenge is the attitude of the society more than the disease. People who have been cured of leprosy can lead normal lives, but they often face loneliness, stigma, and discrimination.
These celebrities believe that leprosy is no longer a scary disease, but a problem which can be easily treated. It is important to end the stigma and give love and respect to the affected people. Love and understanding are the best cure for loneliness and despair.
Actress Dimple Kapadia herself has faced this disease. He had told that at the age of 12 he had leprosy on his elbow. During that time a person taunted him and said that he would be expelled from the school. At that time he did not even know the meaning of the word. But, during this difficult time, he got the opportunity of the film ‘Bobby’. Dimple tells that it was because of leprosy that she met Raj Kapoor and met ‘Bobby’ and it was the most magical and special time of her life. By sharing this experience, he gave courage to others that this disease is not a cause for embarrassment and a normal life is possible after treatment.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has also been spreading awareness against leprosy for a long time. He supported the global appeal organized by Nippon Foundation and Disabled People’s International in 2018. Amitabh had said that we have to rise above the social, economic and legal discrimination that still happens to people affected by leprosy.
Actor R. Madhavan is also deeply involved with this subject. He is the Goodwill Ambassador of Lepra India. This organization works against leprosy, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases. Madhavan explains that leprosy is completely curable and no one has to live with it. Through many campaigns, he makes people aware that the disease can be eradicated from its roots with timely diagnosis and treatment.
–IANS
MT/ABM
