Subhash Mahajan
Journalist
Dalhousie
Seventeen‑year‑old Sia Chadha, who traces her roots to Dalhousie’s Bakrota Hills, is making waves far beyond her hometown. Currently studying at Jumeirah English Speaking School in Dubai, Sia has combined academics with impactful social work, earning admiration from Dalhousie residents who proudly call her their own.
Sia’s journey began with stitching cloth sanitary pads at her school in the aftermath of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes. What started as a small act of service grew into a global initiative, reaching communities as far as Mozambique and Zambia. By 2024, she launched WISH — Women’s Initiative for Sensitization and Health, focusing on two critical issues:
- Breaking the stigma around breast and cervical cancer.
- Addressing bone and muscle health challenges among women over 40 engaged in physically demanding work.
Under WISH, Sia authored a handbook on breast self‑examination, complete with illustrations and Hindi translations, ensuring accessibility for women without medical backgrounds. Partnering with Sukhad Foundation, she organized awareness sessions and screenings, reaching nearly 200 women in Delhi’s Bhawar Singh Camp by December 2025. Oncologists and general physicians provided cancer education alongside routine health checks.
Her efforts have been supported by crowdfunding campaigns and collaborations with CSR departments, enabling education sponsorships and medical aid for underprivileged girls. International exposure through academic programs at Johns Hopkins University and Cornell University further sharpened her vision, blending science, social responsibility, and advocacy.
Looking ahead, Sia plans to extend her campaigns to Himachal’s tribal and remote regions, aiming to raise awareness about cancer and preventive healthcare. She is also preparing for a career in law, determined to combine legal knowledge with grassroots activism.
Dalhousie locals express pride in her achievements, seeing her as a beacon of hope and inspiration. As one resident put it, “We are proud of Sia and wish her success in her mission to bring health awareness to our communities.”
