Event : Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant’s Memoir ‘Dancing With Joy’

The Hon’ble Vice-President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, released Dancing with Joy, the memoir of renowned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, scholar and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant, at a special ceremony held at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

The event celebrated the remarkable life and journey of Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant, whose achievements span Indian classical dance, public service, scholarship and personal resilience. Her memoir offers a glimpse into a life shaped by artistic excellence, dedication, discipline and an enduring passion for dance.

The book was released in the esteemed presence of Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi; Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA); and Dr. P. Raghu Ram, Chairman of the Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation.

Hon’ble Vice-President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan

A distinguished classical dancer and choreographer, Dr. Jayant has made significant contributions to the preservation and evolution of India’s classical dance traditions. Alongside her celebrated artistic career, she has also served as a senior railway officer and emerged as an inspiring voice on resilience and the transformative power of the arts.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant said, “Cancer was one chapter in my life, but it was never the story of my life. My journey taught me to face adversity with courage, draw strength from within, and hold on to the passion that gives life meaning. Dance has always been a source of strength, healing and resilience for me. Through Dancing with Joy, I hope to inspire readers to embrace their individual journeys, discover their inner strength and face life’s challenges with courage and faith. Our struggles may shape us, but they do not have to define us. It is how we rise above them and continue to pursue what we love that truly defines our story.”

Addressing the gathering, the vice-president said that the book was much more than a story of dance and joy, highlighting the importance of passion, hard work, resilience and the strength that comes from discovering and developing one’s talent.

Speaking about Dr. Jayant’s journey through cancer, the Vice-President said that the book was not just about cancer but about living life beyond it. He noted that a strong passion could provide support during difficult times and help people overcome challenges.

Referring to the book’s message that the ‘D’ in DANCER helped its author overcome the ‘C’ in cancer, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that dance, developed through years of practice, discipline and dedication, had given Dr. Ananda the strength to face one of life’s biggest challenges.

The Vice-President said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Bharat was strengthening preventive healthcare, awareness and early screening through initiatives such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.

He noted that the expansion of cancer care facilities across States was helping patients access specialised treatment closer to home. More than 700 District Clinics and 500 Day Care Cancer Centres had been established, while 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres had been approved for operationalisation.

He also highlighted the annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh for eligible families under Ayushman Bharat and the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign launched in February 2026. The campaign aims to protect around 1.2 crore young girls against cervical cancer, with more than 50 lakh girls already vaccinated.

Drawing lessons from Dr. Ananda’s journey, the Vice-President said that success and failure were part of life and that every setback offered an opportunity to learn and return with renewed determination. He encouraged people facing cancer and other serious challenges to remain hopeful and confront difficulties with courage and a positive attitude. He also stressed that awareness, early detection and timely treatment could save lives.

The Vice-President acknowledged the important role of families and volunteers in supporting cancer patients. He said that families provided emotional support, care and encouragement during difficult times, often making significant personal and financial sacrifices.

He further observed that talent could develop into excellence only through continuous learning, practice and dedication. Passion, he noted, was a source of strength, and the skills developed in everyday life could help people face unexpected challenges.

Congratulating Dr. Jayant on the release of her memoir, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan expressed the hope that Dancing with Joy would inspire young people to discover and develop their talents, touch many lives and remind readers to face life’s challenges with courage, grace and joy.

Dr. P. Raghu Ram, Chairman of the Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation and Dr. Jayant’s treating surgeon, offered a heartfelt endorsement of the memoir, reflecting on the transformation he witnessed during her cancer journey. He said, “As her treating surgeon, I did not merely witness a patient navigating cancer, but an artiste who transformed adversity into purpose, healing herself and inspiring countless others in the process.”

The event witnessed a houseful gathering, with a large audience coming together to make the occasion truly memorable. It was also attended by doctors, cancer specialists, and cancer survivors, adding to the significance of the event.