World Diabetes Day: A royal scion, an actor and a three-year-old among 12 diabetics to feature in inspirational charity calendar

The aim is not only to create awareness about the various types of diabetes but also to remind people that having diabetes is not the end of the world- life can be normal, positive and fun

Padmaja Kumari Parmar, Aishwarya Sakhuja and Nupur Lalvani will feature in the unique calender. (Express)

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“No child diagnosed with Type1 diabetes (T1D) should ever feel that his/her life is over,” says Padmaja Kumari Parmar, daughter of the House of Mewar, the former royal house of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India.

Padmaja was just five when she was diagnosed with T1D and adds that living with this disorder is no big deal. “I have done it for 38 years and there is no reason why any child should be anxious about T1D,” the founder of Friends of Mewar, a nonprofit based in Boston, United States, told The Indian Express.

This ‘modern-day princess’ (along with 11 others with T1D and other types of diabetes) features on a unique charity calendar that will have a soft launch on World Diabetes Day (Nov 14). The aim is not only to create awareness about the various types of diabetes but also to remind people that having diabetes is not the end of the world- life can be normal, positive and fun!

“I choose to thrive with my Type 1 diabetes,” says 43-year-old Padmaja whose interests span philanthropy, hospitality, and health, including inspiring others through her experience with Type 1 Diabetes to create a positive social impact. She strongly believes that those diagnosed with T1D need not worry. “There is a lot of negative noise. What is required is accurate information and the need to stay positive,” she adds.

T1D is a chronic condition in which pancreas do not produce enough insulin. Maintaining normal blood sugar levels, insulin therapy, diet and exercise are all part of controlling and treating T1D. So when 36-year-old model and actor Aishwarya Sakhuja was diagnosed with

Type 1 diabetes five years ago, she said she decided “to stop running around like a headless chicken” and slide into a victim mode that can mess one totally. “I did all of that but soon fought all my fears and misconceptions,” Aishwarya of the popular Saas Bina Sasural fame told The Indian Express.

This year, the theme of World Diabetes Day highlights the need for equitable access to essential care including raising awareness of ways people with diabetes can minimise their risk of complications. Aishwarya points out that being detected with T1D for her was a turnaround for the better. “I eat clean, work out, and ensure that I take my insulin shots when I am travelling the world. There is no reason to not live a full and happy life,” she says.

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According to Nupur Lalvani, founder of Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation (BCDF) which is launching the 5th edition of its charity calendar, who also features as one of the 12 inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds living with different types of diabetes, “this calendar is more than a collection of dates; it’s a powerful statement of hope and resilience. It aims at raising diabetes awareness and inject positivity into a narrative often clouded by fear and misconceptions,” says 36-year-old Lalvani who was detected with T1D at the age of 8.

“In a country that ranks high in diabetes prevalence, this calendar is a testament to the fact that with proper management, diabetes doesn’t have to hinder a successful life or career. Access to insulin and/or medication is a major factor when living with diabetes,” says Nupur, whose patient-led support group has 30 chapters across the country.

Snehal Nandagwli, IT professional and type 1 diabetic who also features on the calendar and heads the Mumbai chapter of BCDF, says that awareness is crucial for timely diagnosis and can reduce diabetes-related fatalities.

Rohan Arora, designer and research professional who has T1D and heads the Delhi chapter of BCDF, points out that a focus on mental health and emotional needs, alongside diabetes awareness and accurate information is the key to positively impacting lives of those with diabetes.

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Meanwhile, among others who feature on this charity calendar, are actor and wellness entrepreneur Megha Gupta, and popular radio jockey and emcee RJ Megha, eye surgeon Prachi Grover, student Sanskruti Kolte, entrepreneur Anant Giri Goswami, three year old Ira Dadich and Prem Kumar Arora.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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