Kesavadev Trust and Kerala Type 1 Diabetes Welfare Society(KT1DWS) jointly organized the KT1DP Sweet Stars Program for Children and Youth at YMCA Auditorium, Calicut on 7th October 2018. The program was organised to spread awareness about type 1 diabetes(T1DM). Dr.Jothydev Kesavadev coined the name ‘Sweet Stars(Madhuranakshatrangal)’ for this patient initiative. It proved to be a historical moment for parents and their children with T1DM when KT1WS was formed to fight for the rights of children with T1DM. T1DM mainly affects children and if left uncontrolled can lead to serious complications affecting the major organ systems such as kidney, eye, nerves, heart, etc. Due to a total lack of insulin secretion from the pancreas in T1DM individuals, blood glucose levels need to be controlled either by multiple injections of insulin or modern insulin pump therapy. Even though this is a disease that requires continuous attention and management, in India, T1DM still happens to be one of the largely ignored disease conditions. Being a rare and extremely difficult to treat disease, there prevails a social stigma, and many a time, illness is not even revealed to friends, family or teachers. Even in the cases where the disease is exposed, many children tend to suffer both physically and mentally. The teachers and the family members most often confuse it as the symptoms of the common type 2 diabetes and ignore the affected person’s special needs like visiting the toilets frequently, making multiple pricks for glucose testing and insulin injections. Attainment of puberty, attending parties, going for a vacation, festivals etc. are all situations which can impose huge stress on these children and adolescents.

Compared to the developed countries, it is a saddening fact that in India, most affected with T1DM have a limited lifespan often due to several factors such as the lack of awareness of the disease, popularity of unproven therapies, and lack of or unaffordability of devices and supplies for disease management. Therefore, we urgently require highly trained doctors, nurses, diabetes educators and psychologists throughout the country not only in speciality private diabetes hospitals but also in Govt. hospitals to serve the poor and unaffordable said Dr.Jothydev Kesavadev during the inaugural address.

The program was inaugurated by Shri.M.K Muneer, MLA and the logo was displayed by Shri.Pradeep Kumar, MLA. Dr.Jothydev Kesavadev and team including Sunitha Jothydev and Gopika Krishnan interacted and took classes. Shri. J Jayaraj, Shri. Balan Ambadi, Dr.Muhammed Asheel, Dr.Anin Aniyan etc. were part of the inaugural function. Shri. Vijeesh TR (Program Convener) presided and Shri.Abdul Jaleel (Wayanad Coordinator) gave welcome. Smt.Shana coordinated the activities with Prasad PRO, JDC. Ms.Deepa emceed. Shri. Shihaab (Trivandrum Coordinator) offered vote of thanks.