By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : August 25, 2026 11:48 am
The awards seek to shift the narrative around thalassemia from one centred solely on medical challenges to one that also recognises achievement, independence and contribution
The Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG), in collaboration with Thalassemics India, honoured individuals living with thalassemia for their achievements in education, healthcare and other fields at the 3rd Santosh & Arjun Dev Taneja Memorial Awards for Excellence and the second edition of ‘Empowering Thalassemia Warriors – Saksham Yodhas’ in New Delhi.
The event brought together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, corporate leaders and members of the thalassemia community, highlighting the importance of ensuring that thalassemia does not become a barrier to education, employment, leadership or personal aspirations.
Rajat Sharma, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, India TV, attended the event as Chief Guest and committed his support to raising awareness about thalassemia.
Among those honoured was 27-year-old Chitradeep Das, who was diagnosed with E-beta thalassemia at the age of two and a half and has required regular blood transfusions since childhood.
Despite the demands of lifelong treatment, Das pursued higher education and is currently pursuing a PhD in Geography at Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan. His journey highlights the role of sustained medical care, family support and personal determination in enabling people with thalassemia to pursue higher education and professional goals.
Another awardee, Vasundhara Sharma, was diagnosed with thalassemia at 11 months of age. She served as Head Girl at Army Public School, Udhampur, before pursuing an MBBS from Government Medical College, Jammu while continuing to manage regular blood transfusions alongside medical education and clinical training.
She now aims to pursue an MD in Paediatrics, with the goal of supporting children living with thalassemia.
Deepak Chopra, Founder President, Thalassemics India, said the awardees demonstrate that a medical condition should not define an individual's potential. He stressed the need for an environment in which people living with thalassemia are recognised for their abilities and provided equal opportunities to learn, work, lead and contribute without discrimination.
Anubha Taneja-Mukherjee, Member Secretary, TPAG, said the awards were a tribute to her parents and also challenged perceptions that people with thalassemia should be excluded from mainstream employment or policymaking.
She emphasised the need to recognise the capabilities and resilience of people living with the condition and ensure equal opportunities for participation and leadership.