New Delhi, 23 Feb: The Delhi Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) marked India MS Day with a celebration at Dilli Haat, INA, bringing together people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), caregivers, families and the MS community. The event was centred on the theme ‘Celebrating the person behind Multiple Sclerosis,’ shifting the focus from the disease to the lived experiences, resilience and aspirations of individuals navigating life with MS.
Accessibility remained a key priority throughout the event. The venue was wheelchair-friendly and equipped to support the mobility needs of attendees. The event created a warm, inclusive space allowing participants to momentarily step beyond the challenges of the condition. The programme featured interactive and community engagement activities, cultural performances, patient storytelling sessions along with music and surprise elements designed to foster camaraderie and positivity. The India MS Day event closely aligned with the “Walk In My Shoes” campaign, a joint initiative with Roche and MSSI India launched in 2025, which was established to put empathy front and centre in addressing the often unseen and unspoken struggles faced by individuals living with MS.
Beyond celebration, the event also served as a platform to deepen public understanding of Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. People living with MS often experience symptoms such as fatigue, vision problems, cognitive changes, numbness, balance difficulties and speech challenges, many of which are invisible to others. This invisibility can contribute to delays in recognition and diagnosis.
Speaking on the occasion of India MS Day ’26, Bipasha Gupta, Chairperson MSSI – Delhi, “Multiple Sclerosis may be called both a visible and invisible illness, but the strength, determination, and spirit of those living with it are deeply visible. MSSI Delhi today celebrated India MS day 2026 at the Dilli Haat INA with around 100 MS patients and caregivers. Through this celebration, we aimed to create a space where individuals felt freedom of movement, seen, heard and supported. For many people, the journey to diagnosis and effective care is marked by uncertainty and misunderstanding. Building awareness, empathy and community support can make that journey less isolating and help people access care earlier. We want to place people and not disease at the centre of this narrative- while MS may shape lives, it does not define them.”
Meenakshi Bhujwala, Hon. Treasurer of MSSI Delhi Chapter, commented, “For the last 40 years, MSSI has continued to spread awareness and assist MS patients with medical appointments, counselling sessions, amenities, regular caregiver assistance and physiotherapy; the latter is supported by a team of 15-16 dedicated physiotherapists in Delhi alone. As we celebrated India MS Day today, we have ensured the venue at Dilli Haat was made completely accessible and in line with MS patients’ needs. Today’s celebration was a tribute to every individual living with MS – a day to honor their strength, let them feel truly seen, and build a community that stands with them.”
MS remains under-recognized in several parts of India, often due to low awareness and the subtle nature of early symptoms. The India MS Day event served as a reminder that increased visibility, informed conversations and timely diagnosis can significantly improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for those living with the condition.