Mangaluru: In a dazzling evening that blended style, compassion, and a commitment to change lives, the Kudla Fashion Show 2023 took the city by storm. This extraordinary event, held at the Eden Club, not only celebrated fashion diversity but also raised awareness and much-needed funds for patients battling rare diseases.
From heartwarming speeches by healthcare specialists to runway walks that showcased courage and solidarity, the Kudla Fashion Show was an unforgettable experience.
Creating Awareness:
The evening commenced with a heartfelt address by healthcare specialists and advocates of the rare disease cause.
Prasanna Shirol, the driving force behind the Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), shared the organisation’s humble beginnings. He recalled a time when patients with rare diseases had no support system or dedicated helpline.
Prasanna highlighted the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as a crucial step in supporting this cause.
Prasanna also spoke passionately about the annual “Race for 7” event, held every last day of February. This event is symbolic, with the number 7 representing both the average years required for a rare disease diagnosis and the estimated 7 crore patients grappling with rare diseases in India.
Expert Insights: A Healthcare Perspective
Dr. Anil Shetty, Dr. Abhishek Phadke, and Dr. Vivekananda Bhat were the guests of honour at the Kudla Fashion Show. Each one of them have shared their expertise on rare diseases owing to their professions as healthcare specialists in their own distinct fields.
Dr. Anil Shetty, a renowned pediatric specialist, lauded ORDI for its inspirational work and shed light on the numerous challenges faced by rare disease patients. He revealed that over 350 rare diseases have been identified in India, with new ones identified each year.
Dr. Anil emphasised the exorbitant costs of treatment, often not covered by insurance. Moreover, drug companies do not take much interest in creating treatments as it is not a lucrative endeavour. He further listed a few rare diseases that would cost anywhere between 25 to 45 lakhs for treatment while treatment for a particular rare genetic condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) would cost Rs. 16 crore.
Dr. Abhishek Phadke, a neurotologist outlined the importance of awareness, counselling, and lending help to affected families as the initial solution to rare diseases. He highlighted that medications alone are not always the solution. He suggested neonatal screening tests which are inexpensive and can diagnose genetic conditions if the child has certain symptoms.
In his extensive knowledge and experience in the subject, Dr. Vivekanand Bhat, a clinical geneticist lent an informative address while he busted myths regarding rare diseases. He said that adults could have disorders which could be passed on to the child and can be treated in advance through a carrier screening test.
Fashion with Heart: The Runway Takes Center Stage
Following the enlightening awareness campaign by the distinguished healthcare experts, the runway came alive with the Kudla Fashion Show. The event kicked off with a tiny tot bravely strutting the runway, radiating confidence and eliciting thunderous applause from the audience.
Next up was the Kids category, featuring eight participants aged 4 to 10, showcasing their favourite attire. Aradhya, one of the young participants, adorned a butterfly-themed outfit. In her inspiring address to the audience, she empathetically attributed the butterfly to children with rare diseases, symbolising their resilience.
After the kids concluded their ramp walk with the thought of solidarity towards children with rare diseases, it was the moms of the Kudla that shone like diamonds, so brightly on the stage. With each exuberant step on the runway, the moms emanated courage, and leadership qualities. The participants walked the ramp twice, each wearing two different outfits.
The Mom and Kid ramp walk also drew great admiration towards two moms who are dedicated towards social causes despite pursuing their careers. Christy D’Souza and Dr. Shwetha Kamath, also the organisers of Kudla Fashion Show walked the ramp, Christy with her son and Dr. Shwetha with her triplets.
The event concluded with the glamorous touch of students and locally renowned models who have walked various ramps before. For the first round of strutting, they showed off simplistic, yet unique dresses. For the second round, they donned some of the best modern summer wear with a dazzling twist.
What is more appreciative about the models is that they are all students and had an examination the next day. However, they seemed well prepared for the examination as they didn’t seem nervous for even a bit. They sizzled the runway with their contagious confidence, cheerful grace and exotic poise.
By the end of the show, it was proven that the Kudla Fashion Show was not just about fashion but also about fostering a spirit of empowerment and support for those battling rare diseases. It was an eventful Sunday evening of fashion, unity, inclusivity and inspiration, with the runway being the stage for positive change in the lives of rare disease patients.
Photo Credits: Narayana Raj Mangalore & Master Studio