Manisha Koirala has now turned inspirational and motivational speaker in cancer support groups

Having battled with the disease, the actress wants to share her thoughts on coping skills. As a first step, the actress will be speaking at a special event today in Kolkata that is being organised by her buddy, Bengali film actress Rituparna Sengupta.

Support groups provide a platform for the affected people to come together to help each other. Considering that Manisha was extremely brave and positive throughout her treatment, she feels she should share her views with those who find themselves in a similar predicament. Manisha has known Rituparna for a while now and whenever she used to travel to Kolkata, she would always catch up with her. Rituparna had even met Manisha in New York when she was undergoing treatment earlier this year.

Says Rituparna, `I requested Manisha to be in Kolkata for this special event I am organising. Having met her in New York when she was hospitalised, I know what she had to go through. Seeing her now it is remarkable. Talking about it can help manage the emotional and physical challenges cancer brings.`

Manisha is keen that her strength and willpower inspire others who have been diagnosed with cancer. She feels cancer survivors often have a great deal of knowledge to share about how to deal with experiences and challenges presented by the treatment. Joining Manisha at the event will also be another cancer survivor cricketer Yuvraj Singh who has also penned a book about his fight with the dreaded disease.