Ajmer, March 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 in Ajmer. This initiative is viewed as a significant step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and safeguarding women’s health.
During the event, the students who received the vaccine described the experience as safe, reassuring, and unforgettable. Beneficiary Eastern Agarwal expressed that she felt “very safe” after getting vaccinated. She stated, “We know that many women die from cervical cancer, so this vaccine is essential.”
Eastern shared that she had read about HPV and cervical cancer in newspapers and was aware of the government’s free vaccination initiative. Typically, the vaccine costs around 4,000 rupees, making its free availability a huge relief for families.
Recalling her conversation with Prime Minister Modi, Eastern noted, “He asked us why we were getting vaccinated, if there was any pressure, and also inquired about our studies. He spoke with great affection. I didn’t feel like I was talking to the Prime Minister. This is an experience I will never forget.”
Another student, Chanchal Meghvanshi, mentioned that she felt completely normal after receiving the vaccine. She said, “I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort. This vaccine will protect girls from cervical cancer in the future.”
Chanchal added that she would encourage all girls aged 14-15 to get vaccinated. Sharing her experience of talking with the Prime Minister, she said, “He asked about my family, class, and exams. It felt great to talk to him. It didn’t feel like I was speaking to a prominent person, but rather to someone very down-to-earth.”
Both students expressed confidence that this campaign would be beneficial for the health and future of girls across the country, marking an important step in protecting women from a preventable yet deadly disease.
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