Jaipur, March 28 (IANS). In a world where royalty is often associated with privilege, the story of Princess Padmaja Kumari Parmar of the Mewar Dynasty is quite different. His story is full of discipline, perseverance and determination.
Diagnosed with type one diabetes at the age of five, her life began with an illness she barely understood. This journey that began with fear and confusion soon became a lifelong lesson of courage.
Padmaja recalled that when I was diagnosed with diabetes, there was an atmosphere of fear and confusion all around. But my mother never let me feel weak. He taught me that insulin is not a burden, it is my strength, my life.
At a time when superstition and home remedies were widely suggested, his mother ensured strict adherence to insulin, explaining that type-one diabetes was an autoimmune condition that could not be ignored.
Padmaja said that this clarity decided the direction of her life. Since childhood, a question has remained in his mind: What will happen to those who do not have access to insulin? Today this question inspires his work.
Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the Global Summit to End Diabetes Stigma held in Jaipur, he called for a change in mindset.
He said that after forty years, we deserve freedom from stigma. Anything less than this is unacceptable.
He said his tenacity is rooted in his upbringing. Remembering his father, late Arvind Singh Mewar, he credited his parents for shaping his outlook. My struggle started since childhood, but my parents taught me to fight it not with fear, but with courage and intelligence.
Padmaja’s campaign is not limited to words alone. He recently met the Health Minister of Rajasthan to ensure availability of insulin at every district health centre, resulting in commitments to increase grassroots reach and awareness.
He said there was no politics behind it, only the objective, and so the request was accepted.
Sunil Kumar, Nodal Officer, Health Department, Government of Rajasthan, while appreciating the continuous efforts of Padmaja, said that Padmaja is continuously contributing in raising awareness about diabetes across Rajasthan. His continuous support in public health awareness initiatives is commendable and truly impressive.
–IANS
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