In her maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, philanthropist and author Sudha Murty highlighted two key issues: advocating for a government-sponsored vaccination program to combat cervical cancer and promoting domestic tourism.
Murty, nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of International Women’s Day, emphasized the need for a government-sponsored vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer.
Sudha Murty in Rajya Sabha (Source: NDTV)
“There is a vaccination which is given to girls, between the age of nine to 14, known as a cervical vaccination. If the girls take that, it (cancer) can be avoided … we should promote vaccination for the benefit of our girls because prevention is better than cure,” Murty asserted in her address. Quoting her father, she expressed, “When a mother dies, it is counted as one death in the hospital, but for the family, a mother is lost forever.” Murty noted that the government successfully managed a large vaccination drive during COVID-19, suggesting that providing cervical vaccinations to girls aged 9-14 might not be difficult.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP), in 2023, the estimated number of cervical cancer cases in India exceeded 3.4 lakh. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer, with the majority of cases (99%) being associated with HPV infection. HPV is a common virus spread through sexual contact. Other risk factors for cervical cancer include having multiple sexual partners, early initiation of sexual activity, and infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS. Smoking also contributes to an elevated risk of cervical cancer.
In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 13,820 new cases of cervical cancer in India, with an estimated 4,360 deaths from the disease. The rate of new cases of cervical cancer in India was 7.6 per 100,000 women per year, and the death rate was 2.2 per 100,000 women per year, based on 2017-2021 data. The 5-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer was 67.4% from 2014-2020.
These statistics underscore the significant impact of cervical cancer on women’s health, highlighting the importance of preventive measures, such as vaccination and early detection, to combat this disease in India and globally.
Murty highlighted India’s potential by proposing that 57 domestic tourist sites be considered for World Heritage status. These include the Bahubali statue in Karnataka, Lingaraja Temple, Unakoti rock carvings in Tripura, Shivaji forts in Maharashtra, Chausath Yogini temple in Mitawali, Lothal in Gujarat, and Gol Gumbad, among others.“In India, we have 42 World Heritage sites but 57 are pending … we should bother about those 57 sites,” Murty stressed. She emphasized the importance of preserving India’s cultural heritage, mentioning landmarks like the Srirangam temples and Mughal gardens in Kashmir. Murty further emphasized the need for improved facilities such as toilets and roads to enhance tourist experiences and boost revenue.
“There are beautiful Mughal gardens in Kashmir. We always go and see the film shootings, but we never realize that they are not in the World Heritage Sites. The package should be done very well so that people can come and see them. The package should be conveniently done so that we should have good toilets and roads so that the tourists can come. It will increase our revenue in our own country,” she explained.
Drawing parallels, Murty linked the design of the old Parliament Building to ancient Indian architecture, specifically citing inspiration from the Chausath Yogini temple in Odisha. Additionally, Murty highlighted concerns about issues such as rising prices, unemployment, farmer suicides, and women’s plight, urging the central government to prioritize action on these critical matters.
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