Delhi: What determines a person’s success is not dependent on getting a job in a top company, securing a position as a high-rank official or earning in crores in a month. It is purely based on their determination and willingness to face the challenges despite all the failures and come out as conquerors. 

Anchal Sharma, a breast cancer survivor from Delhi, shares her remarkable journey. Despite being in the third stage of cancer, Anchal did not fear the illness and without informing her family, continued to fight her battle. She was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 32 and her inspiring story reflects her resilience and determination on the face of adversity. 

Brother’s wedding

On 15 January 2017, her home was bustling with joy and life as it was the day of her brother’s wedding. Amidst the festivities, Anchal experienced pain on the right side of her breast and noticed a lump. She had ignored a pea-sized lump earlier, but now she felt an increase in its size. This was concerning so she consulted a doctor, after which she was informed about the cancer that had reached the third stage. The news was utterly devastating for her. 

Anchal chose not to tell her family as she thought that it would have spoiled their mood. Upon doctor’s consultation, she postponed her surgery until after her brother’s wedding. Later, Anchal underwent surgery and revealed about her condition to her family. Her family members were shocked upon hearing the news. They were upset with Anchal for not telling them about her cancer, but Anchal reassured them that she will recover gradually. The family comforted her and supported during her time of difficulty. 

Forging connections

Anchal’s perspective on life changed when she found herself at the crossroads of life and death, with no other options left. She wanted to be called a cancer fighter than a cancer survivor. To uplift herself, she started connecting with children who were also battling with cancer and shared their pain and experiences. 

This newfound sense of purpose led her to establish an organization called ‘Meals of Happiness’. She took the initiative of providing counselling to juvenile cancer patients. She also provided food to those in need. Learning about everyone’s experiences made her realize that she was not the only one fighting this battle. 

She could only endure the pain of chemotherapy because of the inspiration she received from young children. In the year 2018, she defeated cancer and came out victorious. 

Past life

Anchal used to live with her family of six in Jamrudpur, Delhi. Her father was an auto driver and an alcohol addict. He was the cause of problems as he was abusive towards her mother. Sometimes, he wouldn’t allow food to be cooked at home, forcing the family to go to bed hungry. Her father would often contaminate their food by spitting in it. During such times, bread, water and red chili powder was their only meal. 

Anchal and her brother realized their responsibility and decided to discontinue education to get a job. Anchal left school after class 8th and secured a job as a tele caller earning Rs 4000 in a month while her brother took up a job as a mechanic. They juggled between odd jobs to scrape a living for their entire family. 

The loss of a sister

When the entire family opposed the intercaste union of her sister with her beloved, Anchal stood by her sister’s side and helped her get married in the year 2006. Just six months into the marriage, the family received the most tragic news of their life. Anchal’s sister was found dead near a drain and her husband was the murder suspect. Anchal was determined to seek justice for her sister; she fought the case in the court for seven years and in 2013, her sister’s husband was finally sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime. 

Domestic violence

Anchal had seen her mother become a victim of domestic violence. Then her sister was tragically murdered by her own husband. Due to this, she was never ready for marriage.

Despite her resistance, she was married off to a disabled man. He was not only physically disabled but also suffered from mental illnesses. It was apparent that this man needed medical attention than getting married. He harassed Anchal for money and subjected her to physical abuse. There was a distressing incident when he beat her so severely that she began bleeding from her mouth and lost consciousness. 

Anchal had not struggled for years to become independent just to be subjected to violence at the hands of a man. She decided to file a divorce, determined not to endure such mistreatment. Her family tried to convince her to not take the divorce citing the social norms, but Anchal went though with the divorce, finalizing it within 7 months. Her resilience in the face of adversity is truly remarkable.

The abuse

Suffering from sexual abuse at the hands of one’s family members, leaves one traumatized. We live in such a society that constantly silences women and teaches them not raise their voice against the violence. When Anchal was a child, her parents used to work outside, leaving their kids unattended for long hours. Her uncle used this opportunity to touch her inappropriately. When Anchal reported the matter to her parents, she was forced not to talk about the incident with anyone. 

A job in the real estate

After the divorce, Anchal secured a job as a real estate marketing executive. During that time, she acquired proficiency in English and learned to carry various responsibilities. Initially, when she earned a commission of Rs 2.5 lakh while visiting Gurgaon property sites, her company refused to pay her. She did not let this taint her dreams and she sought employment elsewhere. At her new job, she was earning an annual package of Rs 8 lakh.

Building a new house

Anchal had saved up money to build a house in Chhatarpur. The construction had completed when the authorities bulldozed all the houses along with hers for being an unauthorized colony. It was disheartening as she had invested all her savings in building her dream house for herself and her parents. 

Nevertheless, she persisted and got her life back on track. This was the time, when she was diagnosed with cancer. She faced all the battles gloriously and came out stronger than ever.

Becoming an influencer

Anchal encountered a series of challenges in her life but never lost her determination. During the pandemic, she provided meals to 2.5 lakh people under her initiative Meals of Happiness. Her inspiring journey was documented and adapted into a film called ‘The Girl in Red Lipstick’. Today, Anchal serves as a motivational speaker and social media influencer, dedicated to bringing happiness to the lives of thousands through her NGO.