VARANASI, Jan. 15 -- As many as 20 Namo Shakti Raths were flagged off in Varanasi on Wednesday with an aim of timely detection and preventive care of breast cancer in women. Rajya Sabha MP and ITV founder Dr Kartikeya Sharma, district panchayat president Poonam Maurya, divisional commissioner S Rajalingam, district magistrate Satyendra Kumar, Dr Aishwarya Pandit, chief development officer Prakhar Kumar Singh, chief medical officer Dr Rajesh Prasad and senior officials of the health department were present during the ceremony. Divisional commissioner S Rajalingam said that women constitute half of the population, and the current lifestyle changes have led to an increase in diseases like cancer. District magistrate Satyendra Kumar said that through this state-of-the-art Namo Shakti Rath, women will be provided with free breast cancer screening facilities. The Namo Shakti Rath will visit village panchayats in rural areas and wards in urban areas. Addressing the gathering, Rajya Sabha MP and ITV founder Dr Kartikeya Sharma said that "inspired by the Prime Minister, the initiative for breast cancer screening in women has been launched in Varanasi. The operation of the state-of-the-art Namo Shakti Rath is a historic initiative. The concept of a developed India is only possible with healthy families, and a healthy family is not possible without a healthy woman." htc...