Battling disease, 2 PU students get degree, show the way

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20

When asked did she fear death when she was going through treatment, Sanchita Dhiman, who survived immature teratoma, said, “I had no other thought except being strong.”

Sanchita (23), got her BPharmacy degree during the convocation of the UIPS on Thursday. She was in the second year of BPharmacy when she was diagnosed with immature teratoma. She had to undergo chemotherapy and surgeries.

She got 7.2 CGPA in graduation. Hailing from Chandigarh, she did her schooling from Mount Carmel School. She is currently pursuing MBA from New Delhi and wants to become a business analyst.

A cancer survivor

“I was a patient of immature teratoma. From clerical staff to the chairperson of the UIPS supported me. I missed my classes due to my treatment. But the institute conducted special exams for me so that I didn’t have to sit with my juniors. Prof Kanwaljit Chopra, Prof Maninder Karan, Prof Karan Vashisht, Prof Indu Pal, Prof Bhupinder Singh Bhoop and Prof VR Sinha boosted my morale. They taught me personally,” she said.

Fighting thalassaemia

“Every 21 days, I go to the PGI, Chandigarh, for transfusion of blood. Had I not been suffering from thalassaemia, I would have got more marks. I had to miss my classes due to blood transfusion, therefore, I lagged behind others,” said Shubham Mahajan (23), who got his BPharmacy degree.

Shubham, who hails from Baijnath, HP, has secured 6.63 CGPA in graduation. “I would like to pursue PhD and become a teacher. The cure for thalassaemia is through bone marrow transplant and stem cells. Someday, I may contribute something to its cure,” he said.

His father retired as an inspector from the Weights and Measure Department of Himachal Pradesh and his mother is a Hindi lecturer.

“Earlier, we used to come from Baijnath for transfusion, but staying in the city is more comfortable,” he said.

“I used to take exams before transfusion and I am thankful to the PU authorities for providing seats for thalassaemia patients,” he added.