Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong and incurable condition that can drastically alter a person’s life. Yet, for Ms. Padmaja Kumari Parmar, a princess from the lineage of Maharana Pratap and Founder of The Friends of Mewar, it has become a source of strength, discipline, and purpose rather than fear or limitation.
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just five years of age, Padmaja Kumari says she can hardly remember a life without the condition. “My weight suddenly began to drop, I was constantly thirsty, needed to urinate frequently, and felt unusually tired all the time,” she recalls. Alarmed by these symptoms, her parents consulted doctors, and tests confirmed the diagnosis.
What followed was the beginning of a deeply disciplined lifestyle and a heightened awareness of her own body. “Those difficult and challenging symptoms marked the start of a journey that shaped not only my health, but also my life’s purpose,” she says.
Complications Are Not Inevitable
Contrary to common belief, Padmaja Kumari emphasizes that complications from Type 1 diabetes with increasing age are not “normal.” She explains that such problems usually arise only when the condition is not managed properly over a long period.
“I have lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 40 years without complications, leading a completely healthy and active life,” she says. “Anyone who chooses to live with awareness and discipline can manage this condition well.”
Like all Type 1 diabetes patients, insulin remains a lifesaving medicine for her. “Insulin is essential for me. It helps keep me away from serious complications and allows me to live fully,” she adds.
Health Is Beyond Age
For Padmaja Kumari, age is merely a number. What truly matters, she believes, is how one feels, behaves, and lives each day.
“I deal with Type 1 diabetes today the same way any person would who prioritizes healthy living,” she says. “Your overall health is reflected in your daily habits, your mindset, and how you care for your body.”
She credits the condition for making her more conscious about her choices, her health, and the importance of discipline in life.
Clarity Is the Key
Maintaining clarity, she says, is essential to staying in control—physically, emotionally, and mentally. “When stress or busyness increases, you must know what truly matters,” she explains.
For her, that includes taking insulin on time, regularly checking blood sugar levels, staying hydrated, remaining physically active, and resting when needed. “These small but consistent practices form the foundation of my well-being,” she notes.
Balance, Not Restriction
Padmaja Kumari strongly rejects the idea that living with diabetes means constant denial. “For me, diet and lifestyle are about balance, not restriction,” she says.
Instead of focusing on fear or rigid prohibitions, her approach centers on nutrition, mindfulness, and enjoyment. “Being physically active is important, but so is staying mentally and emotionally healthy. Movement, good food, meaningful work, time with family, and moments of peace are all essential parts of my lifestyle.”
Type 1 Diabetes Is Not a Weakness
Perhaps her most powerful message is aimed at breaking myths surrounding the condition. “People living with Type 1 diabetes, along with their caregivers, families, and supporters, must stop believing in harmful myths,” she asserts.
“This health condition does not make anyone inferior or weak. It demands strength, awareness, and courage every single day,” she adds.
She calls for collective compassion and awareness. “We must come together as a fully informed, empathetic, and united force so that no person with Type 1 diabetes lives in fear or shame. Everyone deserves to move forward with dignity and pride.”
Through her story, Padmaja Kumari Parmar offers a compelling reminder that even a lifelong medical condition cannot define or limit a person’s potential—if met with discipline, awareness, and an unbreakable spirit.
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