#InspiredBy – Saraswathi Kasturirangan From Cancer to Can-Do
It’s one of my New Year resolutions to spotlight those superheroes from Deloitte who may not have a visible cape, but who make us #DistinctlyDeloitte.
We started last week with Dinkle Shah and this time round, I’m ecstatic to introduce you to our Chief Happiness Officer, Saraswathi Kasturirangan.
Saraswathi Kasturirangan’s (Saras) journey is one of courage through adversity, the power of the human spirit, and a can-do attitude. A whole, happy life is one that’s well-lived to its fullest degree. And she has left no stone unturned to ensure just that.
In 2012, when she was diagnosed with cancer, she knew she had a challenging journey ahead of her. Having already lost two close family members to the disease, Saraswathi resolved to put up a tough fight. Even as everyone around her encouraged her to take a break, her work kept Saraswathi going, and Deloitte’s support helped her adjust her work schedule around her treatment.
Rounds of radiation and chemotherapy take a toll on one’s physical and mental strength, but Saraswathi turned that hardship into nurturing one of her most enduring passions. Bengaluru’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden offered her a happy haven after every successful chemo, rewarding her with lovely flowering plants. She has continued with it through the years and is now an avid gardener. If you visit any Deloitte India office today, you will see the bright and cheerful sunflower across multiple physical and digital touchpoints. The passion for gardening led to this flower becoming a mascot of sorts for the joy that Saras and her team bring to our lives.
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As of January 2024, Saras has been cancer-free for 10 years.
Rebuilding physical fitness after cancer is quite a task. Slowly but surely, Saraswathi began this uphill climb by building her stamina through running. The first couple hundred metres soon evolved to 5 km, which then became 10, and she started participating in running events across cities: from Bangalore to Chennai to Pondicherry. Her fitness journey culminated in answering the call of the Himalayas. As someone passionate about trekking, she completed the demanding Kailash-Mansarovar parikrama, a lifelong goal, a few years back.
Today she mentors other cancer patients through?PinkHope’s (a cancer patient support group) Mitra services and helps convert their fears to hope.
Saraswathi’s story is one where she continued to defy the odds to turn them in her favour. Her determination and perseverance remind me that no matter what happens, we can succeed if we put our hearts into something.
You inspire me, Saraswathi! Saraswathi Kasturirangan 德勤
Senior Manager at Deloitte Haskins & Sells
10 个月My dear friend Saraswathi is truly inspiring ??!
Founder - It's About You | Coach, Mentor, Counsellor | Business Leadership Development | ImPower | Inquiry under Code of Ethics | Village Service | On Advisory Committee in Academia
10 个月Indeed! I can never forget Saraswati. Her story has been very exemplary, the one of determination, grit and resilience. Never did she expect sympathy nor any concessions during the treatment but continued to work with same dedication and passion through her treatment. This is what stands out about her
International Assignment Consultant at Graebel
10 个月Saraswathi Kasturirangan Mam, keep inspiring and spreading smiles??
Chief Financial Officer at Xforia Technologies P Ltd. Member of the Board of Directors at the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)
10 个月Congratulations Saraswathi! Wish you more happiness, joy and good health in the future!??
Proprietor @ A2Z Expert Services| Tax Services, Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Investment Planning and Insurance
10 个月Saraswathi mam - Lioness with a kind heart... One of the nicest human beings I have seen in my lifetime... Like I wrote in my last email in Deloitte, presence of people like you makes this world a wonderful place to live. Happy and proud to have been part of your team for 4 years mam.