In 2017, IAS officer Manisha Awhale faced a life-altering moment just before her UPSC interview—her mother was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Watching her mother undergo chemotherapy, she realised the importance of early detection, sparking her commitment to helping other women. That’s how Project Nidan was born. In an exclusive video interview with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Awhale talked about Project Nidan, in detail. She is currently posted as CEO, of Smart City, Pune.
Watch the interview here:
As the then-CEO of Zilla Parishad, Solapur, Ms. Awhale launched Project Nidan in 2022, a breast cancer awareness and screening initiative targeting rural women. In rural India, myths and stigma often prevent early detection of breast cancer, and access to screening is limited. In this interview, the officer shared how she addressed these myths and stigmas.
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India, and the figures are even more alarming in rural areas. In many cases, the disease is detected too late due to a lack of awareness, social stigma, and the limited availability of screening facilities.
Under her guidance, Nidan teams were set up at the taluka level, equipped with resources to conduct both thermal screening and physical exams. While thermal screening is not entirely conclusive, it served as an important first step in identifying potential cases.
Initial turnout was low, so healthcare workers began going door-to-door to build trust. Project Nidan succeeded not only by detecting cancer early but also by breaking the stigma surrounding it, empowering women to prioritise their health. Manisha’s personal experience with her mother’s recovery fuelled her mission to transform lives, making her mother proud in the process.
In the first part of our video featuring IAS officer Manisha Awhale, we discussed her inspiring journey through the UPSC examination process. Be sure to check it out! Click the link below to watch.
