Cancer patient promotes living through photo exhibition

Ranchi: Ravi Prakash, a resident of Ashok Nagar in Ranchi, was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer in January, 2021. Ever since, he has been undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital. However, unlike other cancer patients who slip into depression, Prakash is sending out a powerful message through his photo exhibitions urging patients like him to fight on.A collection of Prakash’s photographs, which he clicked during his visits to Mumbai for treatment over the past two years, is now on display at Ranchi Press Club. The three-day exhibition, which began on Sunday, has been named ‘Cancer Wala Camera’.The exhibition, organized in collaboration with Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth and state water resources minister Mithilesh Kumar Thakur, is aimed at raising awareness about living with passion. A blood camp was also organised on the occasion on Sunday. Taking to TOI, Prakash said, "Despite the fact that I have terminal lung cancer and that the disease is incurable, I have been battling this disease since last two year and I have to live the rest of my life with it, but I am striving to live life to the fullest. I believe that there is a need to increase public awareness regarding the cause and treatment of cancer. Instead of being depressed, people should live life with passion."Prakash, a journalist, will use the proceeds from this exhibition's photo sales to fund his treatment. Besides, a contribution will be made to the Press Club's Corpus Fund.The photographs in the exhibition were shot by him while he was battling cancer. "During the course of my treatment in Mumbai, I had two or three days in which I pursued my passion for photography. The exhibition only pertains to those photographs. In addition, I will donate 10% of the earning of photography sales from the exhibition to the press club for the benefit of cancer patients,” he added.He said, "Cancer Wala Camera" is more than a straightforward photo exhibit; it is an expression of the emotions of millions of cancer patients,” he added.