By Dr. Rita Kalra, Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown, Haryana, India, and a member of the Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisors
I still remember the morning of 26 July 2025, as if it were yesterday. Chandigarh was bright and buzzing, but for me, the excitement wasn’t just about the day — it was about the mission. As District 3080 coordinator for HPV vaccination under Project Aastha, I have one clear goal: to wipe out cervical cancer from our community. That day felt like one giant step closer to it.
The 4 Corners India Drive team had travelled hundreds of kilometres to bring the message of HPV vaccination to different corners of our country. When they reached Mohali, our Rotarians, friends, and young volunteers welcomed them with open hearts and open arms. For me, the most beautiful sight was seeing 50 young girls roll up their sleeves and receive the HPV vaccine right there. Each one was a future safeguarded. Each one was a silent victory.
We didn’t stop at the clinic. A rally of colourful, flag-bearing cars rolled out towards the heart of Chandigarh. I had the honour of leading the drive, sitting in the first car, feeling both pride and responsibility. We wanted people to turn their heads, to read the banners, to ask questions. And they did. Curious pedestrians stopped, shopkeepers stepped out, and the message “Cancer-Free India” began to ripple through the city.
At City Plaza in Sector 17, the atmosphere shifted from festive to deeply moving. A crowd gathered, and together, we spoke about cervical cancer — the disease too many ignore until it’s too late. We explained how a simple vaccine can save lives and how regular Pap smear tests are a safety net every woman deserves. The nukkad natak (a form of street theater in India performed in public spaces to raise awareness about social issues) by children stole the show. Watching them perform, with their innocent yet powerful voices, I thought, if they can understand and spread the word, why can’t we all?
Then came a moment that will stay with me forever. Mrs. Mangat, a cancer survivor, stood in front of everyone and shared her journey. Her voice was steady, but the pain she had endured was clear in her eyes. When she finished, the silence in the crowd said everything. This wasn’t just a health campaign. This was a fight for lives, for families, for futures.
The spirit of Rotary shone brightest when, right there on the spot, six Rotarians stepped forward to sponsor HPV vaccines for more girls. That’s the magic of our work — it’s not just about talking, it’s about doing.
By evening, we gathered for a joint meeting of participating clubs. We exchanged club flags, shared stories from the day, and promised to keep working together. It wasn’t just a meeting — it was a pledge of unity, a reminder that when we join hands, even the biggest challenges shrink.
That day was more than an event. It was a statement. A statement that we will not sit quietly while cervical cancer claims lives. That we will talk, we will vaccinate, we will educate, and we will keep moving until no girl is left unprotected.
If you’re reading this, I invite you to join this mission. Talk to your friends and family about HPV vaccination. Share this story. If you can, sponsor a vaccine for a girl who needs it. Every small action is a thread in the safety net we are building.
Let’s dream of an India where our daughters, sisters, and mothers are free from the fear of cervical cancer — and let’s make it real, together.
Learn more about how Rotary is fighting disease for Disease Prevention and Treatment Month.
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/12/10/4-corners-india-drive-strives-for-hpv-free-india/