"Ayushmati" is key initiative by National Cancer Institute as a part of the health and cancer awareness programme among women. Sonashree Deshpande, a representative of NCI visited our school, giving us detailed and articulate information regarding the health issues faced by women after entering the 40s, especially related to cancer which proved detrimental in helping 80% of the women take the next very important step of undergoing examination. This started the regular practice of "Saturday Expedition", as eventually a total of 45 teachers visited NCI every consecutive Saturday in the months of April and May to get the screenings done.

The travel arrangements done for the visits were excellent, a warm welcome by the staff and management on reaching NCI and a welcoming and heart-warming treatment made every individual feel like they were visiting a hotel and not a hospital. Then began the most important process of medical examination by filling forms, consultations with the doctors and the screenings in various rooms after changing into suitable clothes. Everybody was a little worried during examinations but the peer group support from the friends and colleagues made the process easier. The counselling and the reports were also received right after the examination and everybody in the group heaved a sigh of relief as nobody was suspected for cancer. After having our food, we happily bid a goodbye to NCI promising to be back for the examinations next year as we felt like a very big load was off our chests.

Even after knowing about cancer, we would not have taken the first step of getting examined towards beating this dangerous disease, if NCI had not made us aware about it and initiated this programme. However, this brings in a new start to our lives (Ayushya), and we have all become Ayushmati! All thanks to NCI!