October is observed as World Breast Cancer Month, and the Indian Cancer Society has organised a mela on October 9 and 10 to spread awareness about this killer disease.

Among other things, members of Ugam: Victors of Childhood Survivors, an organisation formed in memory of poet-painterShobhit Kaushal, will host a fashion and dance show.

"The fashion show, which will feature Indian outfits, will also showcase various types of turbans. This is a symbolic gesture, a way for us to tell cancer patients, who lose a lot of hair during chemotherapy, to not be embarrassed about their situation," says Ekta Rawat, coordinator of Ugam and a cancer survivor herself. She adds that they will also have products like candles, bookmarks, greeting cards made by members of Ugam and such on sale.

Urmila Jain, head of the ladies committee of the Indian Cancer Society, says: "We will have craftsmen from all over the country coming to display their wares, which range from miniature paintings to artworks made by the Gond tribals to silver jewellery." She adds there will be interactive sessions and programmes around checking the spread of cancer.

"Members of Ugam, St Jude's India Childcare and Tankid, will provide information about medical expenses for treating cancer and have discussions about rehabilitation," says Jain.
Pervin Varma's choir will also perform, while NGOs such as Sujaya Foundation, the Helen Keller Institute, Aseema and Welfare of Stray Dogs will also participate in the mela. The collections from the mela will go towards cancer rehabilitation.

The October Mela will take place on October 9 and 10 at the YMCA, Colaba from 10.30am to 6.30pm.Contact: 98200 27254