World Diabetes Day in India

On the evening of November 13th, leading up to World Diabetes Day, New Delhi committed to lighting up 50 monuments and buildings across the city in blue. Blue is the official color of World Diabetes Day, symbolized by the blue ring, and this effort to collaborate to turn the city blue demonstrated India’s commitment to fight the rising tide of diabetes in the country.

Project HOPE's, Senior Vice President of Stuart Myers, Program Manager Dr. Sonia Kakar, Program Officer Charlotte Block and our guest Aileen Knip, the chair of the Canadian Diabetes Association attended the lighting at Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. Also in attendance were notable corporate donors, doctors and the Danish Ambassador to India, H.E. Freddy Svane and his family. Mr. Myers and Ms. Knip gave short speeches after which, at the appointed moment, buttons were pushed at each of the appointed monuments, bathing them all in a blue light. After this ceremony, 50 lanterns were lit in the temple courtyard and rose up into the night sky.

Attendees adjourned to the Russian Center to watch the movie premier of a film called Sankalp, about the challenges three children face with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Sankalp is a Hindi word that means “a promise one makes to oneself.” In this case, the children promise to take control of their diabetes management and live long and healthy lives.

Story and photos by Project HOPE's Charlotte Block,MS, RD, Program Officer - Global Health Chronic Disease/Nutrition,who spent World Diabetes Day visiting HOPE program sites in India.

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