【Photo Diary】 (2) Visit to India

Published on January 7, 2025
I would like to share with you some of the photographs taken during my visit to India from November 19 to 23, 2024, in my capacity as chairman of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.
 
[November 21, New Delhi, India]
 
With Mr. Tarun Das (right), chairman of the Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (S-ILF) during its board meeting.
With Mr. Tarun Das (right), chairman of the Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (S-ILF) during its board meeting. I was particularly pleased to see him as we had not met in  person since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
 




Addressing a ceremony marking the 18th anniversary of S-ILF.
Addressing a ceremony marking the 18th anniversary of S-ILF. It was established in 2006 to increase social acceptance of persons cured of leprosy and their families through the dissemination of scientific information, and to create conditions that will enable them to have equal access to economic opportunities.
 




Celebrating the 18th Foundation Day with about 200 S-ILF members and guests.
Celebrating the 18th Foundation Day with about 200 S-ILF members and guests. I encouraged the participants, especially young people, to work to disseminate accurate information on leprosy－that leprosy is curable, free treatment is available around the world, and discrimination against persons affected by the disease has no place －and join the global campaign to achieve a zero-leprosy society.
 




Photo of Yohei Sasakawa.
As I often do at leprosy-related events, I talked about leprosy in terms of a motorcycle. The front wheel represents curing the disease and the rear wheel symbolizes ending discrimination. Only when both wheels are turning at the same time will we make progress toward our destination of a leprosy-free world.



With Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda (right), Minister of Health and Family Welfare.
With Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda (right), Minister of Health and Family Welfare. He agreed to pose for a photograph with a banner reading "Don't Forget Leprosy," a campaign that I initiated in 2021 to ensure that leprosy is not overlooked even amid the coronavirus pandemic.

I informed the minister of our plan to hold a ceremony in Delhi on January 30, 2025, to launch the 20th Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy. The appeal that I initiated in 2006 is issued on or near World Leprosy Day, which falls on the last Sunday of January. (In India, Anti-Leprosy Day is marked each year on January 30, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.) The appeal calls for an end to the unwarranted discrimination that persons affected by leprosy continue to face and aims to spread awareness of this issue.

Endorsing our plan, Mr. Nadda, also president of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), agreed to encourage his fellow lawmakers to join the campaign to achieve a leprosy-free India.
 

 

 

 



With Mr. Baijayant “Jay” Panda, national vice president and spokesperson of the ruling BJP.
With Mr. Baijayant “Jay” Panda, national vice president and spokesperson of the ruling BJP.
 




Meeting with some 30 persons affected by leprosy from a nearby colony.
Meeting with some 30 persons affected by leprosy from a nearby colony.
 




With members of the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL), an umbrella organization of self-settled leprosy colonies across India.
With members of the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL), an umbrella organization of self-settled leprosy colonies across India.



 

ith Director-General Paramesh Sivamani (right) of the Indian Coast Guard at its headquarters in the capital.
With Director-General Paramesh Sivamani (right) of the Indian Coast Guard at its headquarters in the capital.
 




With six Indian fellows studying at World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden under The Nippon Foundation’s fellowship program.
With six Indian fellows studying at World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden under The Nippon Foundation’s fellowship program.
 

 

 
 
[November 21, New Delhi, India]

 

With Ms. Saima Wazed, WHO’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia.
With Ms. Saima Wazed, WHO’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia.
 
She responded favorably to my request for her cooperation with the 20th Global Appeal, scheduled to be held in Delhi in January 2025.
 

 

(End)



******************************************     

 

This is my last blog for 2024.
 
Wishing you peace, love and joy from all of us at The Nippon Foundation.
 
Thank you for your continued support and friendship.
 
We look forward to working with you in 2025 and beyond.
 
Happy Holidays!
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