Bishal Gyawali, Medical Oncologist, Professor of Oncology at Queen’s University, shared on LinkedIn:
“This one was very special. I have traveled across the world for meetings and lectures and talks upon invitation from societies or universities or colleagues. For the first time, I traveled across the world to Srinagar, Kashmir, upon invitation from my previous fellow!
Dr. Saquib Banday is a medical oncologist in Srinagar who was matched to me under ESMO Virtual Mentorship Program 3 years ago. We have now published 2 papers together, one looking at travel time burden for patients with colorectal cancer treated in Kashmir.
Anyways, it was very satisfying and gratifying to see Saquib in the organizing committee of the FHNO 2026 Congress. When the invitation first came, I slightly hesitated given the history of conflicts. But I’m so glad I accepted the invitation.
- First, I realized first hand the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing your mentee do well and succeed.
- Second, the hospitality and the honour that I received was absolutely out of this world. I realized first hand again what Kashmiri hospitality means.
- Third, the food was amazing.
- Fourth, it does feel like a little paradise on earth. The natural beauty is stunning.
Returning from Srinagar with lots of love and gratitude. शुक्रिया.”
You can also read ‘Sandro V Porceddu: IFHNOS 2026 Brings Global Head and Neck Cancer Experts Together‘
