In November 2021, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. What followed was a tortuous and torturous journey which neither I nor my family could ever have imagined.

Three septic shocks, four major surgeries, 40 days in the ICU and several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. On three occasions, the doctors had given up hope of my survival. My entire large intestine had to be removed, leaving me with a permanent stoma.

My wife Madhavi and my children Ankita and Aniket were my anchors. Despite the hell they were going through on an hour-to-hour basis, they never ever pushed the panic button. My amazing friends deluged me with hope, succour and solace.

And somewhere along this journey, I discovered my mantra: Managing Every Tumour With Humour.

In November 2022, I was declared cancer-free. But cancer-free didn't mean problem-free. I continue to live with a permanent stoma, an insulin pump to manage my brittle diabetes and other health challenges.

However, I decided that while cancer had changed my life, I wouldn't allow it to take over my life.

I returned to my passions. I write every day, conduct storytelling sessions, deliver motivational talks and dance on stage. I also swim five days a week.

And then came a moment I could never have imagined while lying helpless in the ICU.

On 3 October 2025, I was crowned Mr. India Cancer Warrior!

What would I tell someone who has just been diagnosed with cancer?

Pursue a passion. Music, painting, gardening, reading, cooking et al. Keep your mind occupied in a productive activity so that negative thoughts and anxieties don't invade your space.

Practice mindfulness. Live in the moment. I found my mindfulness in writing. During the hours I devote to my creativity, I am living life to the fullest.

Don't take yourself too seriously. Boil on the bum or your bum on the boil, try to see the ridiculous in the sublime. Humour may not cure cancer, but it can make the battle more bearable.

Invest in relationships. In the rodent race called life, we often forget to forge and strengthen relationships. You have heard of the Anytime Money or ATM card. I have created the Anytime Memory Card. The most precious gift you can give your family and friends is a bundle of memories, each a gossamer fabric of fun and togetherness, woven with two four-letter words: Love and Time. Stock up your ATM. Whenever there is a crisis, encash it.

Be optimistic. Hope has a cascading effect. Together, you and those around you can create an ecosystem of positivity.

Finally, I would like to share the most important lesson cancer has taught me.

The worst of times often bring out the best in you.