In a landmark effort to spark conversations around women’s health, SBI Life Insurance, one of India’s most trusted life insurers, has set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ for creating the largest hot water bag mosaic using 1,191 ‘Hug of Life’ bags. The mosaic proudly spelled out the message — “Take a Breast Self-Exam with Thanks-a-Dot” — amplifying the company’s long-standing mission to make breast health a living room conversation in every household.
The record-breaking feat was achieved in the presence of Mr. Amit Jhingran, MD & CEO, SBI Life Insurance; Ms. Mahima Chaudhry, Indian actress and breast cancer survivor; Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corporate Communication & CSR, SBI Life; Mr. Swapnil Dangarikar, Official Adjudicator, Guinness World Records; and other esteemed dignitaries.
A Milestone Rooted in Purpose
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Indian women, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 cancer cases. Yet, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), more than 60% of breast cancer cases are detected at advanced stages, when survival chances drastically decline. Early detection, through regular breast self-examination, can improve cure rates by up to 90% — but cultural hesitations and stigma continue to hold women back.
Launched in 2019, SBI Life’s ‘Thanks-a-Dot’ initiative has been a pioneering effort to break barriers around breast health conversations and encourage women to take proactive charge of their well-being.
In 2023, the brand introduced the ‘Hug of Life’ hot water bag — the world’s first hot water bag with three-dimensional lumps, designed to help women learn the technique of self-examination in a safe and practical way. The record-setting mosaic is a symbolic culmination of this journey — bringing together employees, partners, and volunteers in a collective expression of care and empowerment.
Voices that Inspire Change
Reflecting on the milestone, Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corp. Comm & CSR, SBI Life Insurance said:
“While women play a central role in nurturing families, prioritising their own health often takes a backseat. Through SBI Life’s ‘Thanks-a-Dot’, we are not just encouraging women to practise breast self-examination, we are creating a movement that turns a personal act of care into a shared conversation at home and across communities. This initiative reflects our belief that true well-being starts with taking care of oneself. We see self-care as part of a larger responsibility where caring for your loved ones begins with caring for yourself. Achieving the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS is more than a milestone; it is an effort aimed at encouraging women to prioritise self-care and make breast self-examination a regular habit.”
Adding her heartfelt perspective, Ms. Mahima Chaudhry, Indian actress and breast cancer survivor, shared:
“Being associated with SBI Life’s ‘Thanks-a-Dot’ feels close to my heart as it champions the importance of early detection. Having battled breast cancer myself, I know how critical early detection is, and regular breast self-exams make all the difference. Since these conversations are still rare, the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS by SBI Life’s ‘Thanks-a-Dot’ opens doors for those conversations, inspiring women to learn, act, and empower themselves.”
Empowering Self-Care, Building a Healthier Tomorrow
Through this initiative, SBI Life Insurance continues to reaffirm its core philosophy — “Apne Liye, Apno Ke Liye” — combining innovation, empathy, and purpose to drive meaningful social change.
The Guinness World Record achievement is not just a corporate milestone but a catalyst for awareness, reminding women everywhere that self-care is not selfish — it’s the first step toward protecting the ones they love.
With ‘Thanks-a-Dot’ and the ‘Hug of Life’, SBI Life is transforming breast self-examination from a topic of hesitation into a habit of health, empowering women to take charge of their well-being with confidence and compassion.
