Insulin on the ramp

In a first of its kind initiative, designer Prasad Bidapa has decided to show support to everyone affected by the sugar disease, getting diabetics to walk the ramp for his fashion show

Insulin on the ramp

In a first of its kind initiative, designer Prasad Bidapa has decided to show support to everyone affected by the sugar disease, getting diabetics to walk the ramp for his fashion show

World Diabetics Day is on November 14 and Bangalore decides to observe it this year, with a fashion show. As part of a campaign spearheaded by Dr Agarwal Hospitals, Prasad Bidapa has also been roped in to organize a fashion extravaganza with a twist.

"With this, Bangalore will host the first diabetes fashion show in the country. We'll have diabetics doll-up and walk the ramp as a message to all other diabetics around the world, saying 'the show must go on'," said Prasad Bidapa, fashion choreographer and organiser.

The campaign began last August and aims to spread awareness through a series of activities that include a talent hunt exclusively meant to encourage diabetics in Bangalore.

The fashion show is also a part of this campaign.

"We've tried to spread the message of diabetes and the fact that it shouldn't hold back anyone down, through many mediums, but we're sure that fashion and the glamour and style involved with it, will get the message on to more people," said Sunitha Agarwal, medical director, Agarwal Hospitals.

The message

The ramp will feature diabetic models between the ages of 10 to 58 and around a 100 or so models have already been short listed. Bidapa will finalise the models that get to walk the ramp with the message 'life goes on' and 'life exists beyond diabetes'.u00a0

"These models, through the fashion statement will convey a message that people with diabetes need not worry and that diabetes can be dealt with like any other smaller disease," Sunitha added.

"This is dedicated to all the diabetics in our country, who now occupy at least 20 percent of our population.

There has been a rise in the number of diabetics and we would like them to know that they needn't panic. We're with them, even if it's just through something like fashion, we're still with them," added Bidapa.

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