IN CONVERSATION WITH PIYA BAJWA

"For Ability India", a trust founded by Piya Bajwa, a cancer survivor and proud parent of a special child, raises awareness and funds for people dealing with cancer, children with special needs and downtrodden, abandoned or exploited women, and sensitises people who are oblivious, judgmental or insensitive to their pain. In conversation with her on the eve of the third edition of its fundraiser 'Nobility For Ability'.

 

"For Ability India" is a pioneering initiative to raise awareness and funds for those dealing with cancer, children with special needs and downtrodden women. What led to its formation?

 

My journey and life experience. I am a mother of a special child; I have gone through breast cancer, have had two other episodes with the disease, and still dealing with it. My life began after cancer! A self-made career woman, I held various corporate profiles spanning two decades. In this period, I was Regional Head of the Indo-French and the Indo-Italian chambers of commerce and more recently, led the New Business division of two American chemical engineering firms in India. Am told that I was the only woman in the country to have headed the sales strategy of industrial chemicals. I was hungry to climb new heights of the corporate world, until Cancer happened. While it did not stop me from working, it made me come to terms with the reality of life, and how inconsequential all achievements can turn into, in a flash.  While I accepted the reality of cancer with a practical frame of mind, in this journey I was blessed by the gracious selfless acts of strangers who came forward to help me, and in one instance, vanished as suddenly as the appearance. Cancer was to me the doorway to a deeper sense of living. I have since, counselled cancer patients on request from my doctor, and raised funds for breast cancer awareness campaigns for the Miss Universe program in India. My son Fateh, is a special child, who faced life head on from the moment he was born. His journey has been nothing short of a constant struggle, trying to blend in with his surroundings and his peers. His poise and steadfast belief that human relations should be peaceful, positive and happy, and his spontaneous desire to help those in strife, have further defined my life, my thinking and my aspirations. He is a beacon of what special means. I have experienced first-hand the challenges that individuals and their loved ones face against a society that is oblivious, judgemental or insensitive to those dealing with Cancer, children with special needs and women who are downtrodden, exploited or abandoned for social, economic or health reasons. I have thus embarked on this journey of 'Nobility For Ability’, to raise awareness about these issues, and to raise funds to support organisations that are committed to being drivers of change — organisations that are enabling the afflicted to stand up in their own right — and could do more with some benevolence.

 

What is your personal motivation behind the NGO?

 

It's not an NGO; it's a TRUST. Through the Trust, I would like to create awareness about these issues and raise funds in support of organisations that are working in this space. Having seen first-hand the plight of women dealing with Cancer, and parents of special children, I wanted to do my bit for those in need before it's too late for me. I want to sensitise people who can make a difference to come forward to help. In a world of increasing isolation, divisive communities and selfish mindless rat-race we all are entrenched in, I would like to test my belief that there is still the possibility of breaking the boundaries of separation and coming together, even as strangers, to help those in need. And am glad to say, my belief stands vindicated, with the support I have witnessed from all those who have come forward to be part of the inaugural fund raiser event.

 

Can you tell us about the cause behind its cornerstone event "Nobility For Ability''?

 

The cause this time is to campaign amongst various communities about the need for early detection in the fight against breast cancer, and Cancer in general. And it doesn't end there. In case a woman is detected with breast cancer, her loved ones need to stand beside her and not ostracise her because of the disease. And lastly, Cancer does not, and should not, prevent one from living life to its fullest. And so the event tag line: 'The Power Of Pink — Live Life. Be the Change'. It's a campaign that will run over twelve months post 3 April, 2019.

 

Who are the NGOs involved?

 

The Princess Diya Kumari Foundation [PDKF] is a philanthropic social outreach initiative of Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur, aimed at inclusive development and the upliftment of the underprivileged in Rajasthan, with a strong focus on women and girls. PDKF is making efforts to empower people by ensuring sustainable livelihoods, facilitating improved standards of living, and creating a healthy socio-economic environment. The Foundation is committed to making a positive impact at the grassroots level through engagement with, and the empowerment of, deprived communities in the state. Secondly, The McGrath Foundation. It's a story with simple, but well-known, beginnings. It started with Jane and Glenn McGrath's very public experience with breast cancer, and has become one of Australia's most recognised and respected charities. It is now the largest group of breast care nurses in the country! Some years after her initial diagnosis, Jane's cancer returned. This time, she had a breast care nurse, who both empowered and comforted her, and the entire family. This experience set the mission for the Foundation, which has become an enduring commitment to support thousands of women and men every day, no matter where they live — for free. The McGrath Foundation raises funds to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia, as well as making breast health understanding a priority. While through PDKF I would like to reach out to women in the rural communities in Rajasthan, and their families to create awareness about early detection in the fight against cancer, I hope one day I'm able to replicate the McGrath breast cancer nurse program in India.

 

What is the nature of collaboration with- and the responsibilities of- Princess Diya Foundation?

 

PDKF is a beneficiary. I intend to integrate our objective with its rural engagement program for women empowerment.

 

From experience, what is your perception of popular disciplines Polo and Fashion in contributing towards the cause? Has it helped only in creating awareness of the cause or has it been instrumental in raising funds?

 

Globally, Polo and Fashion do attract the who's who of our urban societies, and my experience has been very positive in India, as it attracts sponsors, media and attendees. It's a mutually benefiting synergy that supports one another to reach out to a wider audience.

 

What is your most cherished moment during the previous editions of "Nobility For Ability"?

 

The most cherished moments for me were, one, when the boys from 'Knowdisability.org' said ''Piya Aunty, when is the next event happening in Jaipur?'' These boys who are autistic or with Down Syndrome, were part of the official photography team for the event. Their organisation 'KnowDisability' was a beneficiary in that event. The other was when rural women from the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation walked the ramp in the event 'Style On Turf' choreographed by designer Charu Parashar.

 

This is your third edition. What are your expectations?

We are still young as an initiative and have lot to learn as we move forward. More than expectation, it's the desire to do something positively different, that has an impact on those in need. And this can only be successful if we are able to deliver to all our associates, what we have promised at the outset. Building trust with those who have come forward to be part of this endeavour, and maintaining it, is the foundation on which I would like to see this journey unfold.
 

30-MARCH-2019