Vivek Sharma’s life changed irrevocably in 2014 when he lost his five-year-old son, Amogh, to a sudden and unforeseen health crisis. This tragedy marked a turning point for Sharma, who had once aspired to typical markers of success: a family, a stable career, and material comforts. Born in Delhi and raised in Kanpur, Sharma had moved to Mumbai with big dreams. However, the loss of his son led him to redefine his purpose, shifting his focus from material pursuits to the transformative mission of helping others through his social enterprise, Uhapo.
Founded alongside his wife Sweta, Uhapo, rooted in the Hindi word “uhapoh” meaning uncertainty, seeks to remove doubt and offer clarity, particularly for cancer patients and their caregivers. The Sharma couple also launched a cancer awareness foundation and a matrimonial site for cancer survivors, connecting 56 couples since its inception. Through Uhapo, they provide crucial support services such as psychological counseling, diagnostic services, and access to government schemes. Their involvement in the cancer community is further highlighted by an annual Cancer Conclave initiated three years ago, where survivors and caregivers take center stage.
Sharma’s personal journey is immortalized in his book and podcast series titled “God Is Not Fair?”, which resonates with many looking for hope and inspiration in the face of life’s toughest challenges. His podcast, having garnered over a million listeners during its five-year run, recently evolved into a new series, “Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala,” available on YouTube. The series explores themes of loneliness and solitude while championing storytelling as a healing tool.
The path wasn’t easy for Sharma and Sweta, with depression overshadowing their lives following Amogh’s death. Sharma’s initial apprehension towards sharing his story was overcome by focusing on others who, like him, turned their grief into strength. His travels across India brought him face-to-face with several such individuals, although a pervasive stigma around discussing mental health and cancer remained, particularly among the affluent. “The taboo of being a cancer survivor among the upper classes is still very high,” Sharma noted, pointing to the contrast between publicized celebrity deaths and private ones in India.
Today, Sharma and Sweta are parents to three daughters, the youngest named Amogha. Despite the years of mourning, they finally found a semblance of peace, no longer crying together each morning. “It became muscle memory,” Sharma revealed, expressing relief at the emotional healing they have achieved.
Their story serves as a poignant reminder of resilience and transformation in the wake of personal tragedy, as Sharma dedicates his life to offering clarity and support to those battling the uncertainties of cancer. For assistance with suicidal thoughts, individuals in Tamil Nadu can reach out to the health helpline at 104 or Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline at 044-24640050.
The narrative of Vivek Sharma and Uhapo not only challenges societal stigmas around cancer and mental health but also underscores the power of compassionate entrepreneurship in creating meaningful change.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/society/column-vivek-sharma-uhapo-founder-mumbai-cancer-caregiving-support/article69372438.ece
Category : Society
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Publish Date: 2025-03-27 14:05:00
