A Nationwide ‘Jan Andolan’ to Tackle Cancer, Diabetes and Lifestyle Diseases

New Delhi – Speaking at the launch of “UNBROKEN: My Battle with Cancer and the Will to Lead”, former DST adviser Dr Akhilesh Gupta’s moving memoir, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh used the occasion to push a bold idea: India needs a true people’s movement, a “Jan Andolan”, to fight cancer, diabetes, obesity and other non‑communicable diseases.

He warned that the nation’s response can’t stay locked inside hospital walls. “Our battle has to spill onto streets, schools, workplaces and homes,” he said, urging citizens to adopt early‑screening habits, take right medical advice and lean on evidence‑based healthcare.

Beyond the clinical side, Dr Singh highlighted a growing, silent enemy – misinformation. In an age where a single misleading post can travel faster than a doctor’s note, he stressed that scientific communication must be as routine as a morning walk.

According to the minister, cancers that once seemed fatal are now often manageable if caught early. “Timely screening and prompt intervention can dramatically improve survival rates,” he explained, urging the government and NGOs to make regular check‑ups as common as breakfast.

Equally alarming, he noted, is the rise of obesity and metabolic disorders among younger Indians. The solution, he argued, isn’t a personal choice exercised in isolation but a national habit cultivated together.

“Balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and periodic health check‑ups must become integral to everyday life,” Singh said, painting a picture of a healthier India where preventive care is as familiar as a chai break.

His vision aligns with the broader “Viksit Bharat” agenda – a developed, resilient nation where science guides public policy and citizens are empowered with accurate health information.

While hospitals will always play a critical role, Dr Singh’s call is clear: the fight against lifestyle diseases must be communal, proactive and rooted in facts, not fear.