Pink Ribbon Foundation India & India Turns Pink Global Launch.

It is a pleasure to be part of this meaningful journey with the Pink Ribbon family. Breast cancer is an important area of health cooperation between India and the Netherlands, and early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes.

In the Netherlands, women aged 50 to 75 are offered free and voluntary breast cancer screening every two years through a national programme. Mobile screening centres bring these services closer to communities, while information is provided in multiple languages to improve awareness, accessibility and participation. Our experience demonstrates the importance of early detection, accessible screening and clear communication. Equally important is addressing the stigma surrounding breast cancer and ensuring that women and their families receive the information and support they need.

The Netherlands has developed a strong network involving healthcare institutions, cancer centres, researchers, patient organisations and foundations, including Pink Ribbon. This multidisciplinary approach shows that addressing breast cancer requires more than medical treatment—it requires awareness, education, research, community engagement and emotional support. The message I would like to share with every woman affected by breast cancer, and with her family, is simple and powerful: You are not alone.

By working together across India and the Netherlands, we can increase awareness, reduce stigma, strengthen early detection and build healthier communities.

It is my proud privilege and honour to stand before all of you alongside this great gentleman, Mr. Ananda Kumar, the man behind this remarkable movement and the inspiring journey that we have just witnessed on the screen — India Turns Pink. I first met Mr. Ananda Kumar in Mumbai at an award ceremony, where he and his daughter, Mohana, were being honoured for the remarkable work they had been doing. That was the beginning of our association, and since then, there has been no looking back.

We have remained closely associated, and it is wonderful to see the journey he has undertaken so far and the vision he continues to pursue. With the collaboration and support of everyone present here on the stage, from India and across the world, I wish you, sir, and the entire team every success in this great journey ahead.

As Madam Jyothsna has rightly advised, we need to spread the message far and wide and encourage everyone to come forward for screening. The fear that exists in people's hearts must be removed through awareness and education.

Families also have an important role to play. Husbands, brothers, and fathers should support and encourage their wives, sisters, and daughters to participate in screening and awareness programmes. Early screening and awareness can make a meaningful difference. With these few words, I would like to conclude by extending my best wishes to the team from the Netherlands, India, and across the world.

Let us come together, spread awareness, support this mission, and turn the world pink — just as I have done today!

It is both a privilege and an emotional moment to stand together for a cause that touches every woman, every family, every society and every nation. Today, we are not merely launching a programme or creating awareness—we are launching hope and declaring that humanity will fight breast cancer together. We are not simply wearing pink; we are wearing courage.

Our ancient wisdom reminds us: “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam, Aturasya Vikara Prashamanam”—protect the health of the healthy and care for those affected by disease. Prevention, early detection and timely treatment are therefore fundamental in our fight against breast cancer.

Pink represents compassion, courage, hope and celebration. It reminds every woman facing breast cancer that she is not alone. Families, healthcare professionals, survivors, organisations and communities must stand together throughout her journey.

Breast cancer is a serious health concern, but awareness, courage and timely screening can make a powerful difference.

Women are the strength of our families and communities. We must encourage every woman to overcome fear and hesitation, understand the importance of breast health, and come forward for regular screening and early detection.

I deeply appreciate India Turns Pink and its dedicated team for taking this important mission across India, creating awareness and bringing screening initiatives closer to women and communities.

Let us stand together, encourage every woman to take charge of her health, and turn awareness into action.

The Power of Pink.

The most beautiful things in life are built through love, compassion and the willingness to give. This same spirit is reflected in everyone contributing to the fight against breast cancer.

Our greatest challenge is reaching women in villages and communities who may notice changes in their health but remain silent because of fear, stigma or lack of support.

This is where pink becomes more than a colour. It represents a safe environment where women can speak openly, seek help and know they are supported.

Pink represents strength. Pink represents unity. Pink represents openness. Pink represents the courage to speak and seek support.

Let us carry these values forward and ensure that every woman knows she is supported.

On behalf of India Turns Pink and PinkRibbon International, I warmly welcome all our distinguished guests, partners and supporters.

Our journey began in 2003 with a vision to make breast cancer awareness a year-round mission. From Chennai Turns Pink to India Turns Pink, the movement has expanded across the country, promoting awareness, prevention and early detection.

Today marks another important milestone as we strengthen our international collaboration with PinkRibbon International and launch Pink Ribbon Foundation India under the vision of “Uniting the World in Pink.”

I sincerely thank Mr. Walter, Ms. Fionnuala Shannon, Dr. Jyothsna Tirunagari, Mr. Nico Schiettekatte, Air Vice Marshal Manoj Kumar Mehra and all our distinguished guests and supporters who have contributed to this journey.

Over the next three years, we aim to expand this movement across India, reaching more women and communities with awareness and early detection initiatives.

The establishment of Pink Ribbon Foundation India marks an important milestone in building a stronger movement for breast health across the country.

Our mission is to create a universal framework for prevention, awareness, education and early detection, reaching women in both urban and rural communities with greater accessibility and equality.

Through collaboration with India Turns Pink, we aim to develop India as a global model for effective breast cancer awareness and intervention while educating the next generation through schools and colleges.

With collective support, we can transform today’s pink energy into a sustainable movement across India and beyond.

Technology for Humanity — INDSHI.

It is a proud privilege to serve as Secretary – Information Technology, India Turns Pink, and Country Director, Pink Ribbon Foundation India.

Today, we bring together healthcare, humanity and technology with a shared mission—to create awareness, promote early detection and save women’s lives.

As part of this mission, we introduce INDSHI, our AI-powered breast cancer assistant, providing 24/7 multilingual breast health information, early-detection awareness, screening information and access to relevant support resources.

Our vision is to ensure that reliable breast health information reaches every woman, from cities to remote villages.

Let us turn awareness into action, technology into impact, and unite the world in pink.