<p>A steely resolve to fight cancer ultimately saw NCP supremo Sharad Pawar emerging triumphant in his battle against the deadly disease, which had also caused turbulence in his political career.<br /><br />"I got cured of cancer because of a strong will to fight the disease. If I had given up the fight and stopped working, cancer would have won," Pawar said in an informal chat with reporters at the two-day NCP state-level convention which was inaugurated on Saturday.<br />Pawar, who was diagnosed with mouth cancer a decade ago, recounted his battle against the disease saying it was important to defy it by remaining strong mentally.</p>.<p>"Investigations started when a doctor friend of mine noticed a swelling on my cheek and suggested a biopsy. The treatment started. It was painful as the skin inside my mouth was burnt making it difficult to consume food," he said.<br /><br />After undergoing a surgery, he was sworn in as Union minister within a month, Pawar said adding with a smile that the members of the House cooperated with him by not addressing too many questions to him.<br /><br />Asked whether he considered that period as critical in his life, Pawar said apart from his will power, he had strong family support in his wife and daughter.<br /><br />"What I was more worried about during this period was the emotional vulnerability of my party workers, who are attached to me," he said.<br /><br />The Union Agriculture Minister added that he drew his mental power from his mother, whom he described as a "very strong woman, who fought against all odds". PTI HBJ </p>
<p>A steely resolve to fight cancer ultimately saw NCP supremo Sharad Pawar emerging triumphant in his battle against the deadly disease, which had also caused turbulence in his political career.<br /><br />"I got cured of cancer because of a strong will to fight the disease. If I had given up the fight and stopped working, cancer would have won," Pawar said in an informal chat with reporters at the two-day NCP state-level convention which was inaugurated on Saturday.<br />Pawar, who was diagnosed with mouth cancer a decade ago, recounted his battle against the disease saying it was important to defy it by remaining strong mentally.</p>.<p>"Investigations started when a doctor friend of mine noticed a swelling on my cheek and suggested a biopsy. The treatment started. It was painful as the skin inside my mouth was burnt making it difficult to consume food," he said.<br /><br />After undergoing a surgery, he was sworn in as Union minister within a month, Pawar said adding with a smile that the members of the House cooperated with him by not addressing too many questions to him.<br /><br />Asked whether he considered that period as critical in his life, Pawar said apart from his will power, he had strong family support in his wife and daughter.<br /><br />"What I was more worried about during this period was the emotional vulnerability of my party workers, who are attached to me," he said.<br /><br />The Union Agriculture Minister added that he drew his mental power from his mother, whom he described as a "very strong woman, who fought against all odds". PTI HBJ </p>