Guwahati, Pledge for Life Campaign, which aims at saving children
from tobacco, has been initiated in Assam and started in three universities of
Assam at Dibrugarh, Silchar and Guwahati districts. The Pledge for Life
campaign aims at preventing children from initiating the use of
tobacco.
The National
Service Scheme (NSS) in Assam has more than 2 lakh volunteers. A 'Pledge For Life' pilot in collaboration with the
NSS was launched in Guwahati. Under this pilot, several activities like
sensitization, debates, poster competitions, rallies etc will be
conducted to create awareness among college students. Additionally, one day
during the 7 day camps will be devoted exclusively to tobacco
control. Two nodal students will be
appointed in each NSS unit who will be responsible for monitoring the
activities. After the pilot in these
three universities, it will be rolled out to other colleges in the state of
Assam.
Recently a one-day workshop was organised, which was
attended by 26 NSS Program Officers. Post this workshop, many Programme
Officers initiated activities in their respective colleges such as
administering pledges, poster and essay competitions etc.
Thereafter, a workshop on Tobacco Control was organised, which was
jointly organised by NSS, Assam Administrative Staff College, Tata Trusts,
Cachar Cancer Hospital, Sambandh Health Foundation and Doctors for You. Two NSS
programme coordinators and 15 programme officers from the 3
state universities - Dibrugarh University, Silchar University and
Guwahati University attended this workshop.
A very fruitful interaction with the college students and
NSS volunteers of Dispur College and Dakshin Kamrup Girls College took place
today. Team from Sambandh brought to notice of students the epidemic of tobacco
in Assam and India. Students were shocked to learn that tobacco harms every
organ of the body and leaves families devastated with the suffering. Students
came forward during the discussion and gave ideas to prevent themselves and
next generation from this deadly product.
Mr. Dipak Kumar, Assistant Programme Advisor, NSS
Northeast region said, “This is a noble cause and we from NSS fully support to
make our society tobacco free. Our NSS units will be working in the entire
North East region on Pledge For Life campaign.”
One of the Program Officers during the workshop said, “I have found a
mission in my life. As a teacher it is my duty to make these children into good
and healthy citizens.”
As per Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2017, Assam has 1.05
crore tobacco users which is 48.2%. More than 34000 deaths per annum are
occurring in the state of Assam only due to tobacco consumption and the biggest
concern is that 140 children everyday start using tobacco in some form in the
state.
Mr. GM Hazarika, Director, Assam Administrative College,
said, “If we can save our future generations from this preventable cause of
death, we will have a very healthy society. I highly appreciate the efforts of
Sambandh Health Foundation, Tata Trusts and National Service Scheme in
strategizing for a Tobacco Free Assam.”
Applauding efforts of NSS, Pradeep Mathur, Trustee,
Sambandh Health Foundation, said, “With 2 lac volunteers in NSS, great social
reform can be brought in order to save our future generation from tobacco.”
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