SHILLONG/NONGPOH/TURA: The state government is planning to declare all educational institutions in Meghalaya as tobacco-free zones.
During a function to observe anti-tobacco day in Shillong on Friday, Health Secretary Pravin Baskhi said, “ Health department, in collaboration with the Education department, will ensure that all the educational institutions of Meghalaya are declared as ‘tobacco-free educational institutions’, which would be carried forward, with the students as ‘missionaries of change’.
He also administered the pledge against tobacco.
The ‘World No Tobacco Day’ was observed across the state on Friday.
The official programme in Shillong was orgnanised at the KJP Conference Hall with an effort to sensitise the students and government officials about the harmful effects of tobacco and the steps to curb the menace.
Bakshi encouraged the school students, whom he addressed as a ‘gathering of young leaders’, to be agents of change in the society.
I. Majaw, Additional Deputy Commissioner spoke about her experiences with tobacco users and how this menace has to be curbed. She also stressed on the need to curb the use of kwai.
Banker Kharkongor sang a Khasi song which he had composed specially for the occasion.
St George School Nongmensong observed with the rest of the world, ‘No Tobacco Day’.
A drawing competition was held on the topic “the ill effects of tobacco consumption followed by a procession in Nongmensong by the students with the banner “ Make Shillong Tobacco Free”.
Later, a seminar on the side effects of tobacco consumption was held in which Jagpal Singh, Sub-divisional police officer, Shillong delivered the key note address.
The William Carey University NSS Unit along with others organised the World No Tobacco Day cum Sports Day at Fire Brigade Ground, Laitumkhrah.
There was a sensitisation programme, followed by a pledge ceremony and a signature campaign .
The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI),NER Local Chapter organised a talk on ‘Lifestyle and Cancer’ to observe the World No-Tobacco Day at Army Public School, Shillong.
SR Joshi, Secretary, NASI NER Local Chapter introduced the activities carried out by the NASI Chapter. Prof. A. Chatterjee emphasised on the food habits and lifestyle.
The staff and the students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Happy Valley also observed the day. Speeches, slogan demonstrations, skit and group songs were part of the programme.
Principal D.K Deran cautioned the students against the use of tobacco.
NEHU, Shillong took a pledge to keep the office and campus tobacco free on the occasion.
SK Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, H. Lamin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, . D. Chowdhury, Controller of Examinations along with staff of NEHU read out the pledge both in English and Hindi in the committee room, Administrative Block.
Martin Luther Christian University also observed the day with a sensatisation programme organsied by the NSS unit of the university.
The NSS, Shillong Commerce College observed the day by organising an awareness talk on the theme ‘Tobacco and Lung Cancer’. Principal of the College J.B. Massar spoke on the occasion.
GVK EMRI, expressed concern over the ill effects of use of tobacco and its products.
In Nongpoh, the office of the National Health Mission, Ri Bhoi also observed the day at Nongpoh Parish Hall, Mawroh Nongpoh.
MLA Mayralborn Syiem of Nongpoh graced the occasion as the chief guest in the presence of health officials.
The programme commenced with the procession taken out by students and teachers of schools, auto drivers, sumo drivers and Seng Longkmie of Mawroh village, ASHAs and others from MUDA Complex Nongpoh to Parish Hall Nongpoh.
Raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use which causes heart disease and cancer the World ‘Anti Tobacco day’ was observed across Garo Hills with one such programme held at Rongram Weekly Market which was organised by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).