Healthcare should extend beyond hospitals and medical services should be accessible to all, said physician and beauty pageant titleholder Dr. Malini Dasari in Visakhapatnam on Friday (September 4, 2026).

Speaking at Sankalpa Art Village near Peddagadili, Dr. Dasari, who was born, raised, and trained as a doctor in the city, expressed her desire for people to lead healthy lives. Under the theme “Walk Beyond the White Coat,” she promoted healthcare awareness and encouraged doctors to contribute to society beyond hospitals and clinics.

Recognition through Mrs. India USA 2024 and other beauty pageants was not sufficient, she said, adding that she wanted to continue contributing to society. Dr. Dasari said she learnt about Sankalpa Art Village from friends in the U.S. and decided to visit it. She appreciated its natural farming practices, food products, textiles made with natural dyes, wooden toys, traditionally extracted oils, and medicinal plants.

Her mother, Dasari Lakshmi Kumari, daughters Samaikya and Samaina, Sankalpa Art Village representative Parvati, founders Akula Chalapathi Rao and Jamilia, natural farmer Naresh, Action Aid representative I. Krishna Kumari, Green Climate Team NGO founder-secretary J.V. Ratnam and coordinator Bhaskar were also present.