Little ones make it a big day of merrymaking

KOCHI: The mood was all set to bring happiness and tears. The tiny tots sang, danced and performed with all their hearts. They shed off all their worries and came together to take part in a get-together called ‘Kalikkuttam 2011’ at Lion’s Club Community Hall organised by the Kochi Cancer Institute and Welcare Hospital for cancer-afflicted children, below 14 years of age. Some know about their disease while others do not. A parent who does not want to reveal her daughter’s name said: “We were first told that the treatment would take six months. By God’s grace the treatment was completed in four months. Now she is recuperating. She has also resumed her studies. She was enjoying the programme without knowing that she too had cancer once.”Actor Siddharth who also took part in the programme said, “I had pancreatic cancer and undergone 18 courses of chemo-therapies. Though I was diagnosed with cancer, it never affected the normalcy of my life.” Oncologist Dr V P Ganghadharan said such interactive and awareness programmes have become a prerequisite as society continues to stigmatise cancer survivors. “They could also lead a normal life as others. But the stigma continues to haunt them. Hence such interactive programmes should be an eye-opener.” he said.He said that such moments of gaiety would provide the children with ample opportunities to know more about themselves and move ahead in life with determination. “These interactive programmes also serve other purposes like ‘indirect counselling’,” he added.Magician Samrat also put up a show for the children.